The UAE is a modern-day center of cultures and nationalities put together in one basket. It also boasts of having a very healthy job market, complemented by high-class educational institutions.
For people who have completed their education abroad, the very critical document is known as an equivalency certificate.
This shows that the academic qualifications from abroad meet the attestation standards in education set by the UAE. In short, how to get equivalency certificate in UAE for the one seeking employment or studying here.
The discussion will entail who needs the certificate, eligibility criteria, required documents, the step-by-step application procedure, where to apply, fees, processing times, common problems one may face, and other tips to avoid denial or delays in the application process.
Who needs an Equivalency Certificate?
Following are some categories that might require Equivalency Certificate in the United Arab Emirates.
Students: The candidates who want to pursue their higher education in the higher institutions of UAE, have to understand how to get equivalency certificate in UAE.
Professionals: An equivalency certificate is generally required from the working groups of engineering, health, education, and finance in order to prove your degree to work in these fields.
Immigrants: Usually, as an immigrant seeking a UAE Golden Visa or long-term residency, you are required to have an equivalency certificate.
License Applicants: Such professions as teachers, doctors, and engineers require the possession of an equivalency certificate so they can obtain their licenses from various authorities in the UAE.
The clarity as to who requires an equivalency certificate in the UAE makes it pretty clear right from the outset regarding applying for it.
Eligibility Criteria
At the very onset prior to application, following are the eligibility criteria that must be met:
Foreign Education: The candidates must have pursued their qualification from an institution accredited by the UAE.
Type of Qualification: Whatever you may have, a high school diploma or even higher degrees like bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, your degree must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Education.
Institution Accreditation: The institution from which you have obtained your degree also must be accredited by local authorities in your home country.
These are very important so that you would not face delays or rejection during your application process for an equivalency certificate.
Documents Required
To apply for the equivalency certificate, you need to prepare some documents. Herein is a checklist for you:
- Degree Certificate: The attested copy of your highest attainment of education
- Transcripts: Official academic transcripts, detailing course study
- Copy of Passport: Valid passport with valid residency or visa
- ICA Travel Report: The travel report includes the immigrant record. This should be issued by Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, ICA.
- Attestation Letter of the Institution: When applicable, this has to be provided from the embassy in your home country, where the genuineness of the applicant’s educational institution is verified.
- Application Form: An application for due filling-up in regard to equivalency.
- Proof of Payment: This needs to attach payment receipts in regard to fees payable.
- Experience Certificate: This is necessary in case one wants to count work experience for the application.
Gathering all these documents will help ease the application process.
Step-by-Step Process for Applying Equivalency Certificate
Following this step-by-step process you will understand how to get equivalency certificate in UAE.
For those needing a police clearance certificate in Dubai, follow this guide for a detailed process.
Step 1: Attestation of Degree
This is considered as the very first step that requires one to get their educational certificates attested. Such has to be done from the very relevant authorities in the country of issue. In the case of Indian students, the same commonly involves:
State HRD Attestation: These are documents that have to be attested from the HRD of the state where the document was issued.
MEA Attestation: The documents are attested from MEA.
UAE Embassy Attestation: The document will be stamped from the UAE Embassy in your native country.
MOFA in UAE: As a last step, submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE for the last signature and stamp.
Step 2: Genuineness Letter
Some applicants need to get a “genuineness letter” from the embassy of UAE in their home country. That is a proof that your institution is accredited. That embassy will verify with your institution.
Step 3: Get an ICA Travel Report
This report will include vital immigration information like entry and exit dates, passport information, and so on. This certificate is usually issued by the ICA or GDRFA.
Step 4: Apply via the Ministry of Education Portal
Having secured all of your documents, you can now go ahead and apply.
Sign up via MoE Portal: Self-register via the Ministry of Education portal using UAE Pass.
Application Form: Fill out the application form online with correct information.
Uploading of Supporting Documents: Make sure that you upload all the supporting documents correctly, as guided.
Payment of Fee Online: The required amount is to be paid in consideration of the application processing with respect to the equivalency certificate.
Verification Process: Ministry of Education will verify all your information. In case anything needs to be explained further or more information is required, they can make a request for the same.
Step 5: Receiving Your Certificate of Equivalency
In case of approval, you will obtain your equivalency certificate. The certificate shall be forwarded by e-mail as well as can be downloaded from your account at the official website of the Ministry of Education.
Where to Apply?
You can apply online to the Equivalency Certificate through the official website of UAE Ministry of Education. The process has been quite hassle-free for the applicants. You should be ready with all the documents as mentioned and then follow the steps as mentioned above to apply successfully.
Fees and Processing Time
Fees payable for an equivalence certificate in the UAE vary, regarding the level of the degree and documents required to be submitted. The fee ranges from 50 AED to a maximum of 200 AED. Kindly note that you shall confirm through the official website of the Ministry of Education for any new fee structure.
Time required for processing: it takes approximately 35 to 45 working days. However, this period may be more if there are complications involved. Applicants are thus advised to apply well in advance to avoid any inconvenience that may disturb their plans.
Common Issues or Rejections
Following are some of the issues likely to be faced during the application for the equivalency certificate in UAE, which may lead to its rejection:
Insufficient Documentation: Partial or no attestation and delayed or missing documents are considered to be a reason for delay or outright rejection.
Non-Accredited Institutions: Applications received from candidates who have studied in non-accredited institutions will not be processed.
Preclusion on the ground of furnishing wrong information: Wrong information furnished in the application form or in any of the documents to be attached with the form can lead to the rejection of your application.
Non-fulfillment of Eligibility Criteria: Non-fulfillment of the eligibility criteria by the candidate also can be one of the reasons for rejection.
Appropriately briefed by these most common pitfalls, you now can negotiate the process of application more effectively.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Application Process
Following are a few tips that will help keep your application process smooth:
Check Your Documents: First of all, make sure that your documents are attested and complete.
Follow Guidelines: Follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education. Sometimes they require something very particular, which usually gets ignored.
Seek Professional Help: Smoothen your process by consulting experts or agencies involved in equivalency certificates.
Keep Update: The candidates should regularly log in to the official website of the Ministry of Education, UAE, from time to time if any modification is brought into the application process.
Conclusion
An equivalency certificate in the UAE is basically one step toward the validation of foreign qualifications. Whether it is for continuing higher education or trying for career enhancement, , knowing how to get equivalency certificate in UAE is vital.
It will involve the following steps in the collection of the documents as required. Taking into consideration common issues that always tend to arise will help smoother their application process. Proper preparation and paying of attention to detail will see you through, and this unlocks the door to many opportunities across UAE.
