Will a degree from abroad count in the UAE or Saudi Arabia?

By Bakri Bassam Jarkji, Founder · 15 October 2026

General information, not an official ruling. Rules change, so always confirm with the ministry before enrolling.

Emirati students

Emirati students, self-funded or sponsored, should choose a university ranked in the top 50 in the world for their field, using rankings that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research approves. Outside these standards, the degree may not be recognised for jobs, promotions and further study at home. Exemption requests go through the ministry's own website only, and distance or online programmes should be avoided unless the ministry has approved them.

UAE residents

To use a degree from abroad in the UAE, you will need recognition (equivalency) from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research after graduation. Many private-sector jobs accept a recognised degree; government roles and licensed professions ask for the ministry's recognition. Also check the rules of your home country if the student may work there.

Saudi students

Saudi students should study at universities and programmes recognised by the Ministry of Education, and verify both the university and the programme before registering. Sponsored students follow their sponsor's approved list; self-funded students should check recognition themselves, or with us, before applying.

Three things that often cause problems

• Online or part-time study that the ministry has not approved
• A school that is not officially accredited in its own country
• A field ranking below what the rules at home require

Licensed professions need extra care

Medicine and health, engineering and law are licensed at home. In the UAE, for example, the Society of Engineers asks for the ministry's recognition of the degree before membership, and medical licensing depends on recognition too. Plan for licensing from the first day, not after graduation.

How recognition works in the UAE, step by step

• Verification: the degree is first checked for authenticity by Dataflow or QuadraBay, the ministry's authorised partners. Their fee depends on the country and the university.
• Application: you then apply online to the ministry for a recognition report. There is no fixed deadline.
• Fee: AED 100 for a bachelor's degree, AED 150 for a postgraduate degree and AED 200 for a doctorate.
• Time: usually about 30 working days.
• Appeal: if you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a review within three months.

Rules that catch families out

• The awarding university must be accredited by the accreditation authority in its own country, and so must any university you transfer credits from.
• Programmes designed only for a particular group, such as international students only, are not recognised.
• Distance, open and online degrees can only receive conditional recognition, and the university must be approved by the UAE ministry for distance learning.
• For medicine and engineering, a master's or doctorate needs a bachelor's degree in the same field.
• Vocational certificates, short training courses and documents that cover only part of a programme are not recognised.

Recognition and attestation are different

Recognition, also called equivalency, confirms that the degree is valid in the UAE. Attestation confirms the document itself, through a chain that usually runs from the issuing university to the foreign ministry of the country of study, then the UAE embassy there and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many employers ask for both, so keep original documents safe.

How we check

In every Pathway Plan we apply these rules to each university on your shortlist and give you the result in writing. You can also try our quick recognition checker.

Frequently asked questions