If you’re planning to work, study, or settle in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2025, one of the first steps you must complete is degree certificate attestation. The UAE government requires all expatriates to provide verified academic credentials for employment, higher education, or immigration purposes. This process ensures your degree is legitimate and accepted by UAE authorities.
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn everything about how to get your degree attested for the UAE in 2025—from the required documents to the complete step-by-step process, timeframes, and the role of professional attestation services.
📌 What is Degree Attestation?
Degree attestation is the official validation of your academic certificate by a series of government authorities and embassies. It confirms that:
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The document is authentic
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It was legally issued by a recognized institution
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It is suitable for use in the UAE for legal, academic, or professional purposes
Without proper attestation, your degree won’t be accepted by UAE employers, universities, or government departments.
🎯 Why You Need Degree Attestation for the UAE
The UAE maintains a strict immigration and labor framework. Degree attestation is mandatory for:
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Employment (especially for skilled or professional jobs)
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Residence visa processing
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Professional licensing (e.g., teachers, engineers, doctors)
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University admissions in the UAE
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Family sponsorship (in some cases)
Attestation prevents fraud and confirms the credibility of foreign nationals working or studying in the UAE.
🗂️ Documents Required for Degree Attestation in 2025
Before starting the attestation process, gather the following documents:
Mandatory:
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Original Degree Certificate
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Copy of your Passport
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Authorization letter (if using an attestation agency)
Sometimes required:
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Mark sheets/transcripts
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University verification letter
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Employment offer letter (for job visas)
All documents must be clean, readable, and legally issued by the concerned authority.
🔄 Step-by-Step Process for Degree Attestation for UAE
Attestation is a multi-stage process that involves various government departments in the home country and in the UAE. Here’s how the process generally works in 2025:
1️⃣ University Verification (Optional but Recommended)
In some countries (like India or Pakistan), the university must verify the authenticity of the degree before attestation. This step includes:
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Contacting the university
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Verifying transcripts and degree issuance
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Getting an official stamp or verification letter
Time Required: 3–10 working days
2️⃣ State HRD Attestation (For Indian Degrees)
For Indian-issued certificates, the Human Resource Department (HRD) of the respective state validates the academic document. This step is essential for MEA attestation.
Time Required: 5–15 working days
3️⃣ Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Attestation
The MEA (in your home country) then legalizes the document. This step confirms the government’s recognition of the degree and is required before embassy attestation.
Time Required: 1–2 working days
4️⃣ UAE Embassy Attestation in Your Country
Next, the UAE Embassy or Consulate in your country will stamp and sign the degree. This verifies that the UAE acknowledges your academic certificate as authentic.
Time Required: 2–5 working days
5️⃣ MOFA Attestation in the UAE
The final step is attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. Without this stamp, your document is not legally usable inside the UAE.
Time Required: 1–3 working days
⏱️ Total Timeframe
The full process may take 10 to 25 business days, depending on:
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Your home country’s rules
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The speed of university and HRD verification
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Whether you use a professional attestation agency
💸 Cost of Degree Attestation for UAE in 2025
Here’s a rough breakdown of costs (varies by country):
Service | Estimated Cost |
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University Verification | $10 – $50 |
HRD Attestation | Free to $25 |
MEA Attestation | Usually Free |
UAE Embassy Attestation | $50 – $100 |
MOFA UAE Attestation | AED 150 – AED 200 |
Professional Agency (Optional) | $80 – $200 |
Total Estimated Cost: $100 – $300 (or more if urgent)
🌍 Country-Wise Overview of Attestation Process
Here’s a brief look at how degree attestation works in different countries for UAE:
🇮🇳 India
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HRD → MEA → UAE Embassy (India) → MOFA UAE
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Degrees from UGC/AICTE recognized universities only
🇵🇰 Pakistan
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HEC (Higher Education Commission) → MOFA (Pakistan) → UAE Embassy (Pakistan) → MOFA UAE
🇬🇧 UK
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Notary Public → Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) → UAE Embassy (London) → MOFA UAE
🇺🇸 USA
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Notarization → State Authentication → US Department of State → UAE Embassy in Washington → MOFA UAE
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls during the attestation process:
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❌ Submitting incomplete or fake documents
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❌ Using unrecognized or blacklisted institutions
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❌ Not matching name on passport and degree
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❌ Skipping required steps like MEA or MOFA
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❌ Hiring unreliable attestation agents
✅ Why Use a Professional Attestation Service?
Handling attestation yourself can be confusing, time-consuming, and frustrating due to government bureaucracy. That’s why many people prefer hiring MOFA-approved attestation agencies in the UAE.
Benefits of Using a Trusted Service:
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End-to-end support for all attestation stages
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Faster turnaround times
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Doorstep pickup & delivery of documents
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Error-free processing
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Live tracking and updates
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Saves time and effort
🏢 Benchmark Attestation Services – Your Trusted Partner
If you want a reliable and hassle-free experience, trust Benchmark Attestation Services. We specialize in degree attestation for all nationalities, including Indian, Pakistani, UK, US, Canadian, and Filipino documents.
Our Features:
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Over 10+ years in the attestation industry
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MOFA-approved services in the UAE
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Fast, secure, and affordable solutions
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Real-time tracking and customer support
📞 How to Get Started?
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Contact Benchmark Attestation Services
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Share details about your degree and target visa
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Submit your documents (online or in-person)
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Sit back while we handle the attestation
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Get your attested degree delivered securely
📝 Final Checklist Before Submitting Your Degree
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✅ Original degree certificate from a recognized university
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✅ Copy of passport
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✅ Supporting transcripts if required
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✅ Correct spellings and details
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✅ Authorization letter if using an agency
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✅ No pending dues or disciplinary issues with university
🔚 Conclusion
In 2025, degree attestation for the UAE remains a crucial step for professionals, students, and residents alike. While the process might seem daunting, following the right steps—or choosing an experienced agency like Benchmark Attestation Services—can make the journey simple and worry-free.
Don’t let paperwork delay your UAE dreams. Start your degree attestation today with accuracy, speed, and confidence.