The United Arab Emirates (UAE) just recently made some reforms in order to simplify the recognition of foreign academic degrees. This was done to make the country a more appealing option for international students and professionals. The overhaul, introduced by the UAE Ministry of Education, has added more guidelines to the ‘University Certificates Recognition’ framework to make the process of certificate recognition for international students even easier.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has overhauled the recognition system, reducing required documents from 14 to just four, a 70% decrease. This change has led to a substantial increase in students with recognized qualifications, with numbers rising from 5,780 to 12,180 in the past year.
Key updates include the elimination of residency proof requirements and the removal of prior qualification verification for postgraduate applications, simplifying the process for master’s and PhD degree holders.
Unlike the previous system, which excluded online or hybrid learning models, the current policy now accepts degrees earned through distance learning, including fully remote programs, if they meet certain quality and accreditation standards. This change comes as global demand for flexible learning continues to surge.
The application system has been digitized, allowing applicants to submit credentials online without the need for in-person visits or fixed timelines. Verification is conducted through trusted third-party agencies such as Dataflow and QuadraBay, and the Ministry aims to maintain an average turnaround time of 30 working days.
The new guidelines are part of the UAE’s broader push under the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, which aims to make public services more efficient and citizen-friendly. The simplified recognition process not only benefits students and academic institutions but also supports the country’s goals in attracting international talent in key sectors such as healthcare, engineering, education, and IT.
Also Read: BHES 2025: Aligning Indian Education System With Global Standards
The Director of the International Education Support and Scholarships Department at MoHESR, Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, had the following to say on the new guidelines, “The updated system seamlessly integrates with various local scholarship bodies to streamline the recognition of foreign qualifications, using two unified standards across all specialisations and universities. This enhances the graduate experience, simplifying certificate recognition for employment or continuation of postgraduate studies.”
The UAE’s easing of foreign degree recognition is part of the country’s goal to become a popular international education hub. With simplified procedures, faster turnaround times, and recognition of online learning models, the country is opening its doors wider to international students and professionals than ever before.
