Graduation is the finish line, but in the UAE your graduation certificate is the starting point for everything that comes next: job applications, work visas, equivalency applications, and sometimes even bank account or loan paperwork. Knowing how to request a graduation certificate properly, from the right office and with the right documents, means you get a usable, verifiable document instead of weeks of back-and-forth.
Whether you studied at a UAE university or school and need your first official certificate, or you are an expat who needs a graduation document for an employer or immigration authority, this guide walks you through the exact steps, documents, fees, and timelines.
Quick Answer
To request a graduation certificate in the UAE, apply to the institution you graduated from first, through its registrar or student portal. Most UAE universities issue the certificate automatically after final results are confirmed, but you may need to request it if it was never collected. If you need it for official use, have it attested afterwards by KHDA (Dubai institutions), ADEK (Abu Dhabi), or the Ministry of Education, and check whether you also need a transcript. Graduation certificates from foreign universities must come from the foreign institution itself and then go through attestation and equivalency in the UAE.
What a Graduation Certificate Is (and Is Not)
A graduation certificate is the official document that states you completed a programme of study, such as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, diploma, or Grade 12. It usually shows your name, the qualification title, the institution name, and the date of completion.
It is different from a transcript, which lists your courses and grades year by year. Employers and immigration authorities frequently ask for both. If you need that too, see our guide on how to request a student transcript and request both documents at the same time to save a second application.
When You Will Need It
- Job applications: most UAE employers ask for an attested graduation certificate before confirming an offer.
- Work visa processing: immigration authorities verify your qualification against the certificate.
- Golden Visa applications: degree holders submit attested graduation certificates as part of their eligibility proof.
- Further study: universities abroad need it for admission and credit transfer.
- Equivalency: if your degree is from outside the UAE, the certificate is the core document for equivalency.
- Professional licensing: doctors, engineers, teachers, and other regulated professionals submit it with their license applications.
Who Issues Your Graduation Certificate
- Your university or college issues degree, diploma, and postgraduate certificates. This is your first and main point of contact.
- Your school issues Grade 12 and other school-level completion certificates.
- KHDA attests certificates from Dubai private schools and universities regulated in Dubai, but does not issue them; the institution issues, KHDA attests. Its higher education attestation service covers degrees from KHDA-regulated universities.
- The Ministry of Education (MoE) handles issuance and attestation of school certificates for public education through its certificate issuance service, which also covers private schools following the MoE curriculum for Grade 12.
- Foreign institutions issue their own certificates; UAE authorities cannot create one for a university in another country.
How to Request a Graduation Certificate
Step 1: Check whether it was already issued
Many UAE universities issue graduation certificates automatically once final results are approved, sometimes weeks or months after the ceremony. Log in to your student or alumni portal first, or call the registrar’s office, to check the status. You may find the certificate is already printed and waiting for collection.
Step 2: Clear any outstanding obligations
Institutions commonly hold graduation documents until all dues are settled. Make sure tuition fees, library fines, and any pending disciplinary matters are cleared. This is the single most common reason certificates sit unissued.
Step 3: Submit the request
Most institutions offer an online request through the student or alumni portal; older graduates may need to visit the registrar’s office or apply by email. You will usually need to provide:
- Your full name as enrolled (matching your passport)
- Student ID or registration number
- Programme name and year of graduation
- Copy of your passport and Emirates ID
- Proof of fee payment for the issuance service, if charged
Before you finalize, double-check that your name and date of birth on the certificate will match your passport exactly. If something is off, deal with it now rather than after attestation; see our guide on how to correct an error on an academic certificate.
Step 4: Choose collection or delivery
Many institutions allow in-person collection, authorized representative collection (usually with a letter of authorization), or courier delivery. If you are outside the UAE, ask about international courier options and confirm who can sign on your behalf.
Step 5: Verify the certificate on receipt
Check the spelling of your name, the degree title, and the dates. Also confirm the certificate carries the institution’s official seal, signatures, and any security features such as a QR code. Employers and authorities increasingly verify graduation certificates through online portals, so a missing security feature can cause problems later.
Costs and Timelines
Fees and processing times vary by institution and authority. As a general picture:
| Stage | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate issuance by the university | Often free for the first copy; replacement copies carry a fee | 1 to 4 weeks after request |
| School certificate issuance (MoE) | AED 15 per certificate, plus delivery if a paper copy is requested | 3 working days |
| KHDA higher education attestation | AED 220 total | 2 working days |
| KHDA school certificate attestation | AED 120 total | 3 working days |
| Full attestation chain (MoFA + embassy) | AED 150+ per stage | Several working days per stage |
These figures are indicative and can change; always confirm the current fees with the institution or authority before paying. For the full UAE process after issuance, read our guides on academic certificate attestation and the UAE document attestation process.
If Your Certificate Is Lost or Was Never Issued
If you lost your original graduation certificate, do not apply for a brand-new one as if you are a new graduate. Ask the institution for a reissued or replacement copy, which follows a different process and usually requires a police report or affidavit of loss depending on the institution’s policy. Our guide on our guide to replacing a lost educational certificate covers this in detail, and requesting a duplicate academic certificate covers getting extra certified copies while the original is safe.
Graduation Certificates from Foreign Universities
If you graduated outside the UAE, the certificate must be issued by that foreign university. No UAE authority can issue a degree on a foreign institution’s behalf. The practical sequence is:
- Get the certificate from the foreign university (or a replacement if lost).
- Have it attested in the country of issue: the university or education authority, the foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy there.
- On arrival in the UAE, complete attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- If you need it recognized for employment or immigration, apply for apply for equivalency with the required documents.
If any of your documents are in a language other than Arabic or English, you will need certified translations. The rules are explained in our guide to UAE legal translation requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Requesting attestation before checking the details: attesting a certificate with a name spelling error locks in the mistake. Verify first.
- Only getting one copy: request two or three certified copies now; attestation is charged per document, and getting more later means repeating the process.
- Forgetting the transcript: employers and universities often ask for both documents together.
- Using an unofficial scan: screenshots and phone photos are not acceptable for attestation or visa processing; use the original or a certified copy.
- Letting a third party “handle everything” without receipts: if you use a typing center or agent, keep copies of every submission and receipt yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a graduation certificate?
Universities in the UAE typically take one to four weeks after you submit a request, and automatic issuance after final results can take a couple of months. School-level certificates through MoE services take about three working days. Add attestation time on top if you need the certificate for official use.
Can someone else collect my graduation certificate for me?
Usually yes, with a signed authorization letter, a copy of your Emirates ID or passport, and the representative’s own ID. Confirm the exact requirements with the institution beforehand, as some require the authorization to be notarized.
What documents do I need to request a graduation certificate?
Typically your student ID or registration number, a copy of your passport and Emirates ID, and payment of any issuance fee. Outstanding tuition or library fines must usually be cleared first.
Is a graduation certificate the same as a degree certificate?
In practice the terms are used interchangeably for university qualifications. A “graduation certificate” sometimes refers specifically to the document issued at or after the graduation ceremony, while “degree certificate” is the formal qualification document. Both serve the same purpose for employers and authorities.
Do I need my graduation certificate attested?
For use inside the UAE with most private employers, the original is often enough. For government jobs, visa processing, Golden Visa applications, and use abroad, attestation is normally required: the education authority, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the destination country’s embassy.
What if my university has closed down?
The education authority that regulated it (KHDA, ADEK, or MoE) may hold archived records and can issue replacement or verification documents. Approach them with your student records, any copies of the certificate, and your ID.
The Bottom Line
Requesting a graduation certificate is a simple process when you go through the institution that issued it, clear your dues, and verify every detail before attestation. Order an extra copy or two, keep your receipts, and allow a few weeks for the full issuance-and-attestation chain. For the wider picture, our our complete academic records guide covers transcripts, verification, attestation, and equivalency in one place.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.