In a significant move to streamline processes for international students, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has introduced a new law aimed at simplifying the recognition of foreign academic qualifications. The revised system has reduced the number of required documents from fourteen to just four, marking a 70 percent decrease in paperwork.

Ahmad Ibrahim Alsaadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Operations Sector at MoHESR, emphasized that this updated system represents a key milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to enhance service efficiency for students. He stated that this reduction in documentation has already shown promising results following its successful pilot launch.

The Ministry’s initiative aims to eliminate the administrative challenges many students have faced when seeking recognition for their degrees earned abroad. The changes apply to all academic disciplines and institutions, indicating a comprehensive improvement in the recognition process.

Prior to the official implementation, the new recognition process underwent a pilot phase that yielded highly encouraging results. The number of approved qualifications nearly doubled, increasing from 5 780 to 12 180 in a short period. Moreover, the rejection rate dropped significantly, falling from 8.3 percent to just 3.5 percent, showcasing the enhanced clarity and efficiency of the new system.

Furthermore, the new framework is designed to seamlessly integrate with local scholarship providers, enhancing support for students.

In alignment with the UAE’s commitment to digital transformation, MoHESR is also expanding its online services, which will cover the entire student journey from admission to graduation and entry into the workforce. Students and graduates are encouraged to visit the official MoHESR website to access the updated degree recognition services and detailed guidelines. The Ministry has also hinted at future enhancements that may further automate the recognition process through smart technologies.