Take note of the new process…Â
The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has rolled out updates to the process of recognizing foreign university degrees (formerly called attestation).
As reported by Gulf News, the new rules state that degrees earned through distance learning, open education, online courses, and correspondence will now be conditionally recognized—on the condition they meet certain standards set by a specialized ministerial committee.
The ministry issued a statement emphasizing the need for students who earned their degrees through non-traditional study methods to comply with the new regulations.
Streamlining the process
The simplified process now involves two steps: first, the degree’s authenticity will be verified by Dataflow or QuadraBay, two agencies officially appointed by the Ministry, to authenticate the document.
The cost of the initial degree verification will vary based on the country and the fees set by the awarding institution.
Once the verification process is complete, individuals will receive a document that will help them obtain a Certificate of Recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. If all criteria are met, this usually takes about two days.
The process is fully online and typically takes around 30 working days. You’ll be able to track the progress throughout this time.
Each case is evaluated on an individual basis, but if you need to appeal the recognition, you’ll have a three-month window to do so.
Regarding the recognition criteria, the Ministry stressed that a key requirement is that the educational institution must be officially recognized and accredited by the relevant authorities in its country. Additionally, students must follow study methods that are approved by the university.
If studying online, the ministry advises checking whether the university is recognized by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education for distance learning programs.
The ministry confirmed that vocational certificates without formal study, short-term training program certificates, and degrees from specialized programs designed for specific student groups will not be recognized. For medical and engineering degrees, applicants with a master’s or doctoral degree must hold a bachelor’s degree in the same field.
The Ministry also outlined the fee structure for degree recognition: Dhs100 for a bachelor’s degree, Dhs150 for a postgraduate degree, and Dhs200 for a doctoral degree.
