Equivalency Certificate UAE

Equivalency Certificate UAE

The Ministry of Education in the UAE requires individuals to validate their educational qualifications by obtaining an equivalency certificate UAE, to show that they align with education standards set in the UAE.

An Equivalency certification involves the Ministry of Education in the UAE validating educational qualifications and verifying that the education aligns with the standards set in the UAE. This procedure entails a series of steps for certifying documents, both in the document's country of origin and within the UAE, through government departments.

UAE qualification equalisation services provides recognition of university certificates issued outside of the UAE and measures it against or makes it equal to the UAE’s standards.

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Who requires equivalency certification services?

Equivalency certification or Equalisation services are becoming an increasingly required service for many company formation processes and long-term visa applications. The most common need for equivalency certification is for the below:

  1. Students – wanting to pursue further studies in the UAE.
  2. Educators – individuals planning to teach in education facilities in the UAE.
  3. Engineers – equalisation of Engineering degree required to obtain SOE card.
  4. Government – working in government roles particularly in technical or scientific fields.
  5. Doctors and Medical Staff – Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Department of Health (DOH) or Dubai Health Authority (DHA) require equivalency certificate in order for the individual or establishment to receive medical licence
  6. Golden Visa - ‘Business Executives/Managers’ or skilled professionals to meet minimum education requirements.

Equivalency services are therefore required for individuals visa applications as well as setting up in free zones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and to retrieve a mainland license in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Steps to obtain an Equivalency Certification

The steps required to obtain Equalisation certificate include:

  1. Upload the required documents and submit the application including providing EID, passport and valid visa copies
  2. Provide legal translation (if applicable)
  3. Choose the major of the certificate to be equalised
  4. Department will verify the documents and the applicant may be requested to provide additional information.
  5. Application will be reviewed.
  6. Final decision will be granted (recognised or not recognised)

Document Requirements

Document requirements can vary slightly case to case based on the individuals prior education and certifications.

  • Individuals EID, Visa and Passport copies
  • Copy of the certificate to be equalised
  • Supporting documents including transcripts and attested legal translation if not in Arabic or English
  • Authenticity letter - issued from embassy of country of study along with university response

Or an authenticity report from one of the authorised verification service providers

  • Proof of residency in country of study – copies of passport pages or visa
  • Previous qualifications and transcripts (if applicable)
  • Authenticity letter of previous qualification (if applicable)

Study Duration and Qualification Requirements

There are general conditions that apply to the requirements of an equivalency certificate including having successfully followed the study programme and adhered to the conditions that were set by your university and equally adhere to the MOE’s recognition requirements. There are minimum requirements that should transfer from your place to study to UAE standards including study durations and qualification requirements as outlined below:

Diploma

  • No less than one year

Associate degree

  • No less than two years

Higher diploma

  • No less than three years

Bachelor’s degree

  • No less than three years
  • Alternatively, 120 accredited hours (semester system), 180 accredited hours (quarter system) and 240 credits as per the ETCS

Post-graduate diploma or masters

  • No less than one year
  • Previous bachelor’s degree

Masters (integrating bachelor’s and master’s degrees)

  • No less than four years after fulfilling all requirements of both degrees

Doctoral

  • Previous master’s degree - No less than two years as per university bylaw
  • Previous bachelor’s degree – No less than 3 years if master’s is not required

How long does it take to obtain the equivalency certificate for the UAE?

The timeframe to obtain the equivalency certificate very much depends on the type of qualification and how much further information is required, including verification that the student was present for the designated course, the internal coursework breakdown and marks (as well as the final results), and also possibly direct interview with the institution to verify the course and grades achieved.

The attestation and equivalency for a standard Degree qualification at a top tier well known institution for example can take typically 10-15 working days if all relevant documents are in place. A more detailed Engineering, PHD, Masters and advanced qualifications can take 2-3 months to complete full equivalency and coursework verification – as well as the subsequent verification, attestation, legalisation and notarisation process. Please speak to a one of our attestation experts at Sovereign PPG for a specific quote and timeline depending on the qualification and requirements.

Which countries are required to authenticate their certificates and qualifications?

There is a list of over 180 countries that the Ministry of Education (MOE) require their certificates and qualifications to be authenticated and equalised.

This includes countries such as:

  • Kingdom of Spain
  • State of Kuwait
  • Romania
  • Republic of Chile
  • Greece
  • Republic of Italy

View the full list of countries that the Ministry communicates for the authenticity of its certificates here

What other services will be required?

The other related services to Equalisation services include:

  • Attestation of documents
  • Legalisation of documents
  • Document Management
  • Power of Attorney
  • Notarisations of documents

Sovereign PPG can assist with your document equivalency certificate attestation services/equalisation services, translation, notarisation, legalisation and attestation/ consularisation within the UAE and overseas, or for any other document related government liaison matter in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the wider UAE, Oman, Bahrain, KSA and Qatar, please call us on +971 (0)4 456 1761 in Dubai, +971 (0)2 448 5120 in Abu Dhabi, email us on SovPPG@SovereignGroup.com or complete the contact form below.

Require an Equivalency Certificate?

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