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Attestation & Legalisation

Pakistan Degree Attestation UAE 2026: HEC, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan and UAE Embassy Route

Pakistan degree attestation UAE 2026: HEC online, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan and UAE Embassy Islamabad steps, fees and times. Need help? WhatsApp MIRDXB PRO.

Mir Ali
Mir Ali Founder, MIRDXB PRO
Updated 24 Sep 2026 45 min read
Pakistan Degree Attestation UAE 2026: HEC, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan and UAE Embassy Route (illustrative photo)
Reviewed by Mir Ali, founder of MIRDXB PRO. Checked against official sources and the real cases we have handled over the past three years. How we write and check our guides

Key takeaways

  • Pakistan degree attestation (UAE) runs in four stages, in a fixed order: HEC attestation of the degree, MOFA Pakistan attestation, then the UAE Embassy Islamabad and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which are now one online application. School certificates take IBCC attestation instead of HEC.
  • HEC attestation became fully online and paperless on 11 May 2026. You upload scans of your CNIC and degree on the HEC e-Services portal, pay Rs 3,000 per document, and download an e-Attestation Certificate instead of receiving a stamp on the paper.
  • IBCC attestation still needs the original certificate, after the issuing board has verified it: Rs 1,200 per original certificate or marks sheet, same-day at an appointment, within 10 working days by courier, or within an hour on the Islamabad express service (Rs 3,000).
  • Pakistan joined the Apostille Convention on 9 March 2023, but the UAE has not. For the UAE you need MOFA Pakistan attestation followed by the UAE Embassy stage. MOFA Pakistan says normal attestation continues alongside its apostille service.
  • The UAE Embassy Islamabad publishes one route for Pakistani documents: digital attestation. One application on the MOFA website with UAE Pass covers the embassy and MOFA; a courier collects the original within 24 hours and returns it 24 to 48 hours after release (48 to 72 hours in remote areas).
  • UAE fees are AED 150 per personal or educational document at each UAE stage (embassy and MOFA), AED 2,000 per commercial document at MOFA, plus a non-refundable service and delivery fee. A degree and its transcript are two documents.
  • Attested is not recognised. Many employers, licensing bodies and the Golden visa also need degree recognition from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR): AED 350 partner verification plus AED 50, 18 working days.
  • Most rejections come from the Pakistan side: degrees from institutions HEC does not recognise, names that differ from the CNIC or passport, laminated certificates, documents apostilled in a bundle, and civil documents that are not NADRA-verified.
Pakistani degree, school certificates or family documents needed in Dubai? Send MIRDXB PRO a photo of each document and any stamps on it. We tell you which stages are left and quote in writing before we start.

Check my Pakistani documents

Pakistan degree attestation (UAE) is the chain of official checks that makes a Pakistani degree usable before a UAE employer, ministry or licensing body: the Higher Education Commission (HEC) verifies the degree with the university, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan (MOFA Pakistan) attests it, and the UAE Embassy Islamabad and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attest it for use in the UAE. Each stage certifies the one before it, so the order cannot change, and each stage has its own portal, fee and published rules.

This guide covers the Pakistan route in detail: HEC and IBCC attestation, MOFA Pakistan attestation versus the Pakistani apostille, the UAE Embassy Islamabad digital service, fees in both currencies, timelines and the problems we see most often. Family documents are covered briefly, because most families need them at the same time as the degree.

The general attestation chain for every country is explained in our attestation process guide, the full fee schedule in our attestation cost guide, and degree recognition in our MOHRE equivalency certificate guide. Every rule here comes from the pages of HEC, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan, the UAE Embassy Islamabad, the UAE MOFA, MoHESR and the HCCH, checked on 24 September 2026. Where they disagree or are silent, we say so.

Pakistan degree attestation UAE at a glance

Find your document in the first column. The stages run left to right, and a stage can only start once the one before it is finished.

DocumentPakistan stage 1Pakistan stage 2UAE stagesPublished fees
Bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil or PhD degree from a Pakistani universityHEC attestation (online, paperless e-Attestation Certificate)MOFA Pakistan attestationUAE Embassy Islamabad + UAE MOFA, one digital applicationHEC Rs 3,000; UAE AED 150 + AED 150
Transcript or provisional certificateHEC attestation (a separate document)MOFA Pakistan attestationAs above, counted as a separate documentHEC Rs 3,000; UAE AED 150 + AED 150
Matric (SSC) or intermediate (HSSC) certificate or marks sheetBoard verification, then IBCC attestationMOFA Pakistan attestationAs aboveIBCC Rs 1,200 (express Rs 3,000); UAE AED 150 + AED 150
Technical or vocational diplomaLocal technical board and NAVTTCMOFA Pakistan attestationAs aboveSet by those bodies; UAE AED 150 + AED 150
Foreign degree held by a Pakistani (for example UK or Malaysian)Not the Pakistan route. HEC does not attest foreign degrees; the degree goes through the country that issued itThe UAE mission in the issuing countryThat country’s fees
Nikah nama and NADRA marriage registration certificateNikah registrar, union council and NADRAMOFA Pakistan attestationAs above (originals only)UAE AED 150 + AED 150 per document
Birth certificateNADRA-verified certificateMOFA Pakistan attestationAs above (originals only)UAE AED 150 + AED 150 per document
GAMCA medical reportNo prior MOFA Pakistan attestation needed (the one published exception)UAE Embassy Islamabad + UAE MOFAUAE fees as above

Sources: HEC Degree Attestation page; IBCC attestation FAQs and express service FAQs; MOFA Pakistan “Attestation of Documents” page; UAE Embassy Islamabad digital attestation page; UAE MOFA FAQ and Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022. The UAE fee lines match our attestation cost guide.

Pakistan degree attestation UAE route: HEC attestation for degrees or IBCC attestation for school certificates, MOFA Pakistan attestation, then one UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA digital application, with MoHESR recognition after
The Pakistan route in order: HEC or IBCC, MOFA Pakistan, then the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA in one online application. Recognition by MoHESR is a separate process that can run in parallel.

What changed on the Pakistan route in 2026

Advice about the Pakistan route ages fast, and three changes in the last few years mean that what a colleague did in 2022 is no longer the process.

ChangeWhat it means for youSource
HEC attestation is paperless (effective 11 May 2026)No office visit, no TCS courier of originals to HEC, no stamp on the paper. You upload scans, the university verifies online, and you download an e-Attestation Certificate. The fee is Rs 3,000 per documentHEC Degree Attestation page; Dawn and Geo News, 11 May 2026 (secondary)
UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA are one applicationYou no longer attest at the embassy counter and then courier the paper to Dubai for a separate MOFA stamp. One application on the MOFA website covers both, and the attested document arrives by emailUAE Embassy Islamabad digital attestation page
Pakistan issues apostilles (member since 9 March 2023)Pakistan documents going to Apostille countries get an apostille. The UAE is not a party, so for the UAE you still need MOFA Pakistan attestation and the UAE Embassy stageMOFA Pakistan accession notice; HCCH status table
What we could not confirm

HEC’s page describes the new e-Attestation Certificate but does not say how MOFA Pakistan handles it at the next stage. A June 2026 travel guide (Wego, secondary) says applicants print the e-certificate and present it with the original degree at MOFA Pakistan. MOFA Pakistan’s own attestation page has not been updated to mention the e-certificate. Until it is, take the printed e-certificate, the original degree and your CNIC, and ask the counter or the authorised courier before you submit.

Pakistan degree attestation UAE: how MIRDXB PRO helps

Most of the Pakistan route can be done by you or a relative, and this guide is written so that you can. We come in where it gets hard from Dubai: a university that is slow to verify on the HEC portal, a name that differs between the degree, CNIC and passport, a family who needs a degree, school certificates, a nikah nama and birth certificates attested before a visa deadline, or an employer who wants recognition as well as attestation. MIRDXB PRO is a Dubai PRO services company working with Amer and Tasheel, and document attestation is one of the services our Al Barsha team handles.

What we do

  • Read the stamps and certificates you already have and tell you exactly which stage each document has reached and what is missing, before anything is paid.
  • Check every document against your passport and CNIC for name, father’s name, spelling and date of birth, and flag the mismatches that HEC, IBCC or MOFA Pakistan will reject.
  • Guide the HEC attestation application on the e-Services portal with you (it is your account, in your name, linked to your CNIC), and tell you which documents to upload and which fee category to choose, because HEC does not refund a wrong selection.
  • Plan the Pakistan-side stages that need originals (IBCC attestation and MOFA Pakistan attestation) with the relative or authorised courier company who will handle them, so nothing waits on a missing paper.
  • File the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA stage as one digital application through the MOFA website, and coordinate the courier collection in Pakistan. See our degree certificate attestation service.
  • Arrange degree recognition with MoHESR in parallel where the employer, licensing body or Golden visa needs it, and legal translation by a Ministry of Justice listed translator for any Urdu-only document, through our legal translation service.
  • Verify the finished file on MOFA’s verification service and give you the reference numbers.

How it works

  1. WhatsApp us a photo of each document (front and back) and any stamps, plus a copy of your passport and CNIC, and tell us what the documents are for: work permit, licence, Golden visa, family visa or school admission.
  2. We reply with a document-by-document plan: which Pakistani body goes first, what can be done online from Dubai, what needs an original in Pakistan, and which UAE stages follow.
  3. You approve a written quote showing each government fee on its own line and our fee separately.
  4. We run the stages with you, keep you updated at each one, and check the result on MOFA’s verification service before you hand it to the employer or authority.

What it costs

Government fees are passed on at cost, with receipts: HEC Rs 3,000 per document, IBCC Rs 1,200 per document (Rs 3,000 on the express service), the UAE embassy attestation fee (AED 150 per personal or educational document) and the UAE MOFA fee (AED 150 per personal document, AED 2,000 per commercial document), plus the service provider’s delivery fee. MOFA Pakistan’s charge for normal attestation is not clearly published and is explained in the fees section below. Our service charge for the UAE MOFA step is AED 250 per attestation, on top of MOFA’s fee; for the other stages our fee depends on how many documents and stages remain, and it is always quoted in writing before we start. Our general price guide is on our fees page.

Why residents use us

  • We publish our sources. Every fee and rule in this guide links to the page it came from, and we show you the receipts for what we pay on your behalf.
  • We tell you when you do not need us. If your degree is already HEC and MOFA Pakistan attested and a relative in Pakistan can meet the courier, the UAE stage is one online application you can file yourself with UAE Pass, and we will say so.
  • We cover the whole file, not just the degree: school certificates, family documents, recognition, translation, and the visa or permit the documents are for.
  • You can see us. Our office is in Al Barsha 1, Dubai, open by appointment; whatsApp us any time, 24 hours; office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 (Dubai time).
Want the whole Pakistani file planned in one go (degree, school certificates, nikah nama, birth certificates and recognition)? Tell us what you have and what it is for.

Plan my Pakistani file

Stage 1 for degrees: HEC attestation

The Higher Education Commission is Pakistan’s federal higher-education regulator, and HEC attestation is its confirmation that a degree was genuinely awarded by a recognised Pakistani university or degree-awarding institute. MOFA Pakistan’s attestation page is explicit: “Degrees issued by various universities should be attested from Higher Education Commission (HEC).” Without HEC attestation, MOFA Pakistan will not attest a university degree, and without MOFA Pakistan the UAE Embassy Islamabad will not act.

What HEC attests, and what it does not

DocumentHEC attestation?What to do instead
Bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil, MS or PhD degree from a recognised Pakistani university or degree-awarding instituteYesn/a
Transcript or detailed marks certificateYes, as a separate documentn/a
Provisional certificateYes, as a separate documentn/a
HEC equivalence letter (for a foreign degree)Yes, the letter onlyThe foreign degree itself goes through the country that issued it
Foreign degree (UK, Malaysia, China and so on)No. HEC’s FAQ: “Foreign degrees are not attested by HEC”That country’s route and the UAE mission there
Matric or intermediate certificateNoIBCC attestation (next section)
Bona fide student certificate, “to whom it may concern” letterNoNot usually needed in the UAE; ask the employer
Degree from an institution HEC does not recogniseNo. HEC attests awards of “recognized universities and DAIs”See “Private universities and recognition” below

Two special rules on HEC’s page catch postgraduate applicants. A PhD must appear in HEC’s PhD Country Directory. An MS or MPhil started after 7 November 2013 needs a no-objection certificate (NOC) issued by HEC for the programme. If either is missing, the application stops at scrutiny, so check before you pay.

How to apply for HEC attestation online (since 11 May 2026)

HEC’s page describes “a fully online, paperless Degree Attestation System, replacing the previous process of attestation”. It works from anywhere with internet access, which makes it the one Pakistani stage you can finish entirely from Dubai.

  1. Create an account on the HEC e-Services portal (eservices.hec.gov.pk) with your CNIC number, a working mobile number and an email address. HEC sends notifications by SMS and email, so use a number you can receive messages on in the UAE.
  2. Enter your personal and academic details exactly as they appear on your CNIC and degree.
  3. Upload clear scans of your CNIC (front and back) and of each document to be attested, plus a passport-size photograph on a plain blue or white background. Medical and nursing graduates also upload their professional registration card.
  4. Select each document and pay the attestation fee online through 1Link: Rs 3,000 per document. Choose carefully: HEC says that “in case of any incorrect selection, the fee will neither be refunded, adjusted, nor transferred.”
  5. HEC scrutinises the application, then sends it to your university or degree-awarding institute for verification of the award.
  6. Download the e-Attestation Certificate from your HEC portal account once the university has confirmed and HEC has approved it. Save the PDF and print it for the MOFA Pakistan stage.
Fake or altered documents

HEC’s page warns that “submission of fake, forged, or bogus documents will result in strict action under applicable laws and policies.” The university checks the award online, so an altered grade, date or name will be found at stage 5. In the UAE, using a forged or unrecognised qualification can also lead MoHESR to withdraw recognition and refer the case to the authorities.

HEC attestation fee

The current fee on HEC’s page is Rs 3,000 per document, and the page lists the documents it covers: “degree, transcript, provisional certificate, or HEC equivalence letter”. A degree with one transcript is therefore Rs 6,000. There is no separate urgent fee in the new system.

HEC’s older FAQ (written for the paper system that ended in May 2026) still shows Rs 1,000 per original, Rs 700 per photocopy, Rs 3,000 extra for the urgent walk-in service, and a Rs 5,500 service charge for overseas applicants sending documents through Gerry’s. Those figures belong to the old process. If a page or agent quotes them, it is out of date.

How long HEC attestation takes

HEC does not publish a service time for the new system. The limiting step is the university’s verification: HEC sends the file to the university, and the university confirms the award on the portal. How fast that happens depends on the university’s own office, and neither HEC nor the universities publish a figure to plan around. Watch your portal account and SMS, and if the status does not move, HEC’s online help desk (onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk) and its UAN 111-119-432 are the published contact points.

Name differences on HEC attestation

HEC cross-checks your details with your CNIC. Its FAQ (written for the older system, but the rules on names are the ones HEC applies) accepts some variations and not others:

Difference between degree and CNICHEC’s position
“Mohammad”, “M.” or “Mohd.” present on one and absent on the otherAcceptable
Honorific titles such as Syed, Khan or Haji on one onlyAcceptable
Professional titles such as Engineer or DoctorAcceptable
Name changed after marriageProvide the old CNIC with father’s name, the marriage certificate or the nikah nama
A third or later name component differsA completed Degree Supplementary Information Form (DSIF)
Any other spelling or name differenceCorrect the CNIC through NADRA, or get a corrected document from the university

Remember that the UAE side also compares the degree with your passport. A difference HEC accepts can still be questioned by a UAE employer or MoHESR, so the section on name mismatches further down is worth reading before you apply.

Private universities and HEC recognition

HEC attests only awards of recognised universities and degree-awarding institutes (DAIs). This check matters most for private-sector degrees. Three checks before you pay:

  • Is the institution on HEC’s list of recognised universities and DAIs? HEC publishes the list on its website. If your institution is not on it, HEC will not attest the degree.
  • Was it recognised for your programme and your years of study? A campus or programme opened without HEC approval can be a problem even if the parent university is recognised. The MS/MPhil NOC rule is one example.
  • Is the degree in the university’s name? For an affiliated college, the degree is awarded by the affiliating university, and that university verifies it on the HEC portal.

The UAE side applies a matching test: under MoHESR’s Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025 the institution must have been licensed or accredited in its home country when the degree was awarded, so a degree HEC will not attest is very unlikely to be recognised in the UAE.

Stuck on the HEC portal (university not verifying, wrong document selected, name rejected)? Send us a screenshot of your application status and we will tell you the next step.

Help with my HEC application

Stage 1 for school certificates: IBCC attestation

Matric (SSC) and intermediate (HSSC) certificates are not HEC documents. MOFA Pakistan’s page says certificates issued by the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) “are required to be countersigned by Inter Board Committee of Chairman (IBCC)”. The body was reconstituted in April 2023 by the IBCC Act (Act XIII of 2023) as the Inter Boards Coordination Commission; the abbreviation and the role in the chain did not change.

A UAE resident usually needs IBCC attestation only when intermediate or matric is the highest qualification, when a child is joining a UAE school or university, or when an employer asks for the full academic history. Ask the receiving institution first.

What IBCC attests, and what it does not

IBCC attestsIBCC does not attest
SSC and HSSC certificates and diplomas issued by Pakistani boardsBachelor’s and master’s degrees (HEC)
Transcripts or marks sheets for grades 9 and 11Migration, character or provisional certificates
School leaving certificates for classes 1 to 8Documents from private institutions
Foreign school qualifications (for example O and A levels) with an IBCC equivalence certificateDamaged or laminated certificates
Equivalence certificates issued by IBCCDocuments with errors (the board must correct them first)

How IBCC attestation works

  1. Get board verification first. IBCC’s requirements page: “Before the attestation of certificates and result cards issued by BISEs/BTEs, the documents must first be verified by the respective Boards.” Keep the verification printout.
  2. Register on the IBCC attestation portal (attest.ibcc.edu.pk), enter your personal and education details, and choose the mode: morning appointment, courier or express.
  3. Pay the fee by 1Bill or by challan at a UBL branch.
  4. Submit the originals with one photocopy of each, the printed application form, copies of the student’s and father’s CNIC, the board verification printout and the fee receipt. Remove any lamination first.
  5. Collect the attested documents the same day or the next (appointment), within an hour (express), or receive them by return courier (courier mode).

IBCC attestation fees and times

ModeFeePublished timeWhere
Appointment (morning)Rs 1,200 per original certificate or marks sheet“Returned on the same day of the appointment” (FAQ); the process page says same day or nextIBCC offices
CourierRs 1,200 per original, plus the courier’s charge“Processed within 10 working days”IBCC Secretariat Islamabad and Regional Office Karachi only
Express (evening)Rs 3,000 per original; Rs 1,500 per photocopy“Returned within an hour of submission”IBCC Secretariat Islamabad only
Verification of an older, pre-QR attestationRs 600 per certificate + Rs 300 courierNot publishedIBCC
Online verification of a QR-coded attestationNo feeInstantattest.ibcc.edu.pk/verification.php

IBCC rules that matter if you live in the UAE

  • Only blood relatives may apply for you. IBCC: “Only blood relatives are permitted to apply on behalf of the applicant,” and the relative must carry proof of the relationship.
  • IBCC dispatches within Pakistan only. Its FAQ: “IBCC can dispatch attested documents within Pakistan only.” Have the attested certificates delivered to a relative, who then takes them to MOFA Pakistan.
  • IBCC does not correct errors. A wrong name or date of birth must be corrected and verified by the board before IBCC attestation.
  • A deficiency does not cost a second fee. IBCC says the fee is one-time and you do not need a new application once the deficiency is fixed.
  • The attestation is valid for life and carries a QR code that anyone can check on IBCC’s site.

Technical diplomas: NAVTTC, not HEC or IBCC

MOFA Pakistan’s page says technical and vocational certificates must be “attested by the local technical board and National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)” before MOFA Pakistan attests them. A DAE (diploma of associate engineering) or trade certificate therefore follows its own first stage. The rest of the chain (MOFA Pakistan, then the UAE Embassy Islamabad and MOFA) is the same.

Stage 2: MOFA Pakistan attestation

MOFA Pakistan attestation is the Pakistani foreign ministry’s certification that the HEC, IBCC, NADRA or other signature on your document is genuine. It is the stage the UAE Embassy Islamabad relies on: its page says documents issued in Pakistan must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan before the embassy stage, with one exception for GAMCA medical reports.

Attestation or apostille: which does the UAE need?

Pakistan joined the Hague Apostille Convention with effect from 9 March 2023. MOFA Pakistan’s accession notice said Pakistani authorities would accept foreign apostilles and that “Normal Attestation Services will continue as usual at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Camp Offices and Pakistan Missions abroad.” Pakistan now runs two services side by side:

ItemMOFA Pakistan attestation (normal attestation)Pakistani apostille
Used forCountries that are not party to the Apostille Convention, including the UAECountries that are party to the Convention (for example the UK, most of Europe, Saudi Arabia since 2022)
What followsThe destination country’s embassy in Pakistan (for the UAE: the UAE Embassy Islamabad, then UAE MOFA)Nothing: the apostille is accepted directly in member countries
How to applyWalk-in at MOFA Islamabad or a camp office, a blood relative, or an authorised courier companyOnline appointment through apostille.mofa.gov.pk, courier companies; walk-in for legal documents only
Published feeMOFA Pakistan’s page: “No fee is charged for any type of attestation” (revenue stamps required)Rs 3,000 personal or educational, Rs 4,500 legal, Rs 12,000 commercial (from 8 July 2024)
Published timeGeneral documents “within two hours”Set by the appointment system

The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention: the HCCH status table (updated 30 June 2026) does not list it, and the UAE MOFA FAQ still asks for home-country foreign ministry attestation followed by the UAE Embassy. An apostille alone is therefore not the finished product for the UAE. Our apostille vs attestation guide explains the Convention and the UAE’s position in full.

Where the official pages disagree

The UAE Embassy Islamabad page asks for MOFA Pakistan attestation, but the same page also says “Documents apostilled in a bundle are not accepted. Each document must be apostilled individually.” That line appears to have been copied from pages for apostille countries, and it leaves open whether the embassy would accept a Pakistani apostille in place of normal attestation. We have not found a statement either way. Our advice: at MOFA Pakistan, ask for the attestation meant for the UAE, one document at a time, never a bundle. If you already hold an apostilled document, ask the embassy (islamabademb@mofa.gov.ae) before you pay for the UAE stage.

Documents MOFA Pakistan needs verified first

MOFA Pakistan attests only a signature it can check. Its page lists the body that must act before it:

DocumentMust first be verified or issued byNotes from MOFA Pakistan’s page
University degree, transcriptHEC“Degrees issued by various universities should be attested from Higher Education Commission (HEC)”
Matric, intermediateIBCC (after the board)BISE certificates “countersigned by” IBCC
Technical or vocational certificateLocal technical board and NAVTTCBoth stages needed
Birth certificateNADRA verificationListed under civil documents needing NADRA verification
Marriage (nikah)Nikah registrar, union council and NADRAOriginal nikah nama with the registrar’s signature and stamp, the Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC), and the bride’s CNIC showing her husband’s name
Divorce certificateChairman of the Arbitration Council or Secretary of the Union CouncilNADRA verification also listed
Death certificateNADRAMust be accompanied by NADRA’s ID card cancellation certificate
Single or unmarried status certificateSecretary of the Union Counciln/a
Company documents, export papersChamber of Commerce and Industry; SECP or Registrar of Firms; FBRCompany registration certificate and NTN certificate required
Power of attorneyStamp paper, photographs of the executantsPersonal presence required, no courier; valid for 120 days from attestation

Where and how to submit to MOFA Pakistan

  • Offices: MOFA Islamabad and camp offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Gujrat. Published hours are Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 (shorter token hours apply in Ramadan).
  • In person: bring the original documents with the required revenue stamps, and your original CNIC.
  • Through a relative: “Those unable to come in person can send their blood relative,” who must prove the relationship.
  • Through someone who is not a blood relative: a person living outside Pakistan must send an authority letter attested by the Pakistan Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live, which for UAE residents means the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai.
  • Through an authorised courier company: MOFA Pakistan names five: Gerry’s International, Leopards Courier Service, Excellent Courier Services (ECS), M&P Express Logistics and TCS. They charge their own service fees. They cannot handle powers of attorney or affidavits.

MOFA Pakistan attestation rules that cause UAE rejections

  • Language: MOFA Pakistan attests only documents in Urdu or English. A translation must show English in one column on the same page as the other language.
  • Documents MOFA Pakistan will not attest include domicile certificates, photographs, invitation letters, land registry and sale papers, and documents linked to political or criminal disputes.
  • Validity: attestation of permanent documents (birth certificate, nikah nama, educational certificates, death certificates and NADRA documents) “will always remain valid”. A power of attorney is valid for 120 days from attestation, so do the UAE stage quickly.
  • One document, one attestation. The UAE Embassy refuses anything authenticated “in a bundle”, so each certificate, transcript and marks sheet needs its own MOFA Pakistan stamp or certificate.
Check the portal before you plan dates

MOFA Pakistan’s consular pages carry notices about closures (for example 24 to 26 December 2025 at MOFA Islamabad) and, in 2026, notices about the apostille portal and online registration. If a relative is travelling to Islamabad or a camp office specifically, check the notices on mofa.gov.pk the day before.

Not sure whether your document needs MOFA Pakistan attestation, an apostille or both? Send us a photo of the back of the document and we will tell you what the UAE Embassy Islamabad will expect.

Ask about my document

Stage 3: UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA (one digital application)

This is the part that changed most. The UAE Embassy Islamabad page describes a paperless digital attestation service in which “one application covers both the UAE Embassy in Islamabad and the UAE MoFA in the UAE,” and digitally attested documents gain legal recognition in the UAE. The embassy page does not describe a separate counter route for Pakistani documents, so the digital service is the published way in.

Step by step

  1. Log in to the UAE MOFA website with UAE Pass and select “Attestation Service”. UAE Pass is the UAE national digital identity; the embassy FAQ explains that a basic account can be created in the app with a name, email address and mobile number. If you live in the UAE, use your existing verified account.
  2. Choose the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as the country of issuance.
  3. Complete the application and pay the attestation fee and the service and delivery fee.
  4. A MOFA-approved service provider contacts you to schedule the pickup. You receive an email with the air waybill (AWB) and the pickup date; print the AWB and attach it to the documents.
  5. The courier collects the original “within 24 hours of successful submission”. The embassy page says VFS courier partners follow document-handling guidelines with track-and-trace.
  6. You receive the digitally attested document by email, certified by both the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA.
  7. The original comes back by courier “within 24–48 hours after release from the UAE embassy in Islamabad. For remote areas, delivery may take 48–72 hours.” Show valid identification on delivery.
“Digital” does not mean you can upload a scan

The embassy page is explicit: “The original physical document is required for the digital attestation process.” What is digital is the application, the payment and the attested output. Somebody in Pakistan must hold the original, the printed AWB and be available when the courier comes.

What the UAE Embassy Islamabad accepts, and what it refuses

Rule on the embassy pageWhat it means for your file
Documents issued in Pakistan must be attested by MOFA Pakistan firstFinish HEC or IBCC and MOFA Pakistan before you apply. The courier comes within 24 hours whether or not you are ready
GAMCA medical reports do not need prior MOFA Pakistan attestationOnly reports from GAMCA medical testing centres. A private clinic report is not covered
Official personal documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) must be originalsNo true copies for civil documents
Legal documents such as powers of attorney must be signed before a notary or legal authority, then attested by MOFA PakistanThe page says “a local notary or legal authority in Nepal”, an obvious copying slip; read it as Pakistan
A power of attorney with commercial content is a commercial documentAED 2,000 at MOFA instead of AED 150
Memorandum and articles of association are attested separatelyEach is its own document and fee
“Laminated documents cannot be attested”Get a fresh certificate from the university or board
“Documents apostilled in a bundle are not accepted”One authentication per document
Commercial invoices and certificates of origin are not attested hereThey go through eDAS 2.0 on the MOFA website
Documents not issued in Pakistan must go to the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of issuanceA UK degree held by a Pakistani goes through London, not Islamabad

If the application is rejected

The embassy page sets out what happens: the attestation fee is refunded automatically, the service fee (including delivery) is not refunded, and the original is returned so you can resubmit once the requirements are met. MOFA’s FAQ says attestation fee refunds are processed within 14 working days. A rejection therefore costs you the service fee and a full collection-and-return cycle, which is why the checks in this guide matter.

What about the UAE Consulate General in Karachi?

The UAE has a Consulate General in Karachi, and some older guides send Karachi residents there. On 24 September 2026 we could not find any attestation page for the Karachi consulate on mofa.gov.ae; the only published route for Pakistani documents is the Islamabad digital service, with courier collection from your address in Pakistan (the page mentions delivery times for remote areas). If you have been told to use Karachi, confirm with the UAE MOFA contact centre (800 44444 in the UAE, +971 80044444 from abroad) before sending anything.

Older paper stamps from the UAE Embassy Islamabad

If your degree already carries a paper UAE Embassy Islamabad stamp from before the digital service, it still needs the UAE MOFA stage. That is an ordinary MOFA application on the MOFA website or app, with an approved courier inside the UAE, at AED 150 for a personal document. The steps are in our attestation process guide.

Verifying the result

Check every attested document before you hand it over. The embassy page points to MOFA’s verification service at verify.mofa.gov.ae, using the attestation reference number and the issued date; MOFA’s FAQ also mentions UAE Pass “verify the document”. Save the email, the PDF and the reference number somewhere you will still have access to in five years, not in a work account.

Pakistan degree attestation UAE fees: every official line

The cost comes in two currencies. Pakistani bodies charge in rupees and change their fees without reference to anything in the UAE; the UAE stages are fixed in dirhams by Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022. Private charges (couriers, the MOFA service provider, translators, agents) are on top and are not government fees.

Fee lineAmountPerSource
HEC attestationRs 3,000Document (degree, transcript, provisional certificate or HEC equivalence letter)HEC Degree Attestation page
IBCC attestation, appointment or courierRs 1,200Original certificate or marks sheetIBCC attestation FAQs
IBCC attestation, express (Islamabad)Rs 3,000 original; Rs 1,500 photocopyDocumentIBCC express service FAQs
Board verification before IBCCSet by each boardDocumentThe issuing BISE
MOFA Pakistan attestation (normal attestation, used for the UAE)“No fee is charged for any type of attestation”; revenue stamps requiredDocumentMOFA Pakistan, Attestation of Documents page
MOFA Pakistan apostille scheduleRs 3,000 personal or educational; Rs 4,500 legal; Rs 12,000 commercialDocumentMOFA Pakistan apostille portal, fee structure (from 8 July 2024)
Authorised courier to MOFA PakistanCompany’s own chargeShipmentGerry’s, Leopards, ECS, M&P, TCS
UAE Embassy Islamabad attestation feeAED 150 personal or educational documentDocumentUAE MOFA schedule and FAQ examples
UAE MOFA attestation feeAED 150 personal; AED 2,000 commercialDocumentCabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022; MOFA FAQ
MOFA service provider (collection, return delivery)Shown at payment; not published on the embassy pageApplicationUAE Embassy Islamabad page (non-refundable)
MoHESR degree recognition (if required)AED 350 partner verification + AED 50 reportQualificationMoHESR service card
Legal translation into Arabic (if required)Market pricePageMinistry of Justice listed translators
MOFA Pakistan: two figures, one unanswered question

MOFA Pakistan’s attestation page says no fee is charged for attestation and that only revenue stamps are needed. Its apostille portal publishes Rs 3,000 per personal or educational document and does not say whether that schedule also applies to normal attestation for non-apostille countries such as the UAE. Our attestation cost guide budgets the Rs 3,000 figure to be safe. Treat MOFA Pakistan’s cost as somewhere between the revenue stamps and Rs 3,000 per document, and confirm on the challan or with the courier company before you pay.

Worked totals for common Pakistani files

These totals use only the published government fees above. MOFA Pakistan is shown as a range (revenue stamps only, up to the Rs 3,000 apostille-schedule figure). Courier and service-provider fees, board verification, translation and any agent’s fee are excluded.

FileDocuments at UAE stageHECIBCCMOFA Pakistan (if the Rs 3,000 schedule applies)UAE Embassy + UAE MOFA
Degree only1Rs 3,000n/aRs 0 to 3,000AED 300
Degree and transcript2Rs 6,000n/aRs 0 to 6,000AED 600
Matric, intermediate, degree and transcript4Rs 6,000Rs 2,400Rs 0 to 12,000AED 1,200
Family file: degree, marriage certificate, two birth certificates4Rs 3,000n/aRs 0 to 12,000AED 1,200

Add AED 400 (AED 350 + AED 50) for MoHESR recognition of the degree if the employer, licensing body or visa route needs it. The family-file row matches the worked Pakistani case in our attestation cost guide.

Pakistan degree attestation UAE timeline

Only some stages publish a time. Plan around the ones that do not.

StagePublished timeWhat actually controls itSource
HEC attestationNot publishedYour university’s verification on the portalHEC page
Board verificationSet by each boardThe boardIBCC requirements page
IBCC attestationSame day (appointment); within 10 working days (courier); within an hour (express)Mode chosen, completeness of the fileIBCC FAQs
MOFA Pakistan attestationGeneral documents “within two hours”Queues, courier transit, closuresMOFA Pakistan page
UAE courier collectionWithin 24 hours of submissionWhether someone is ready with the original and the printed AWBUAE Embassy Islamabad page
UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFAEmbassy time not published; MOFA gives “up to 15 business days” for the service-provider route outside the UAEEmbassy and MOFA workloadMOFA attestation service page
Return of the original24 to 48 hours after release; 48 to 72 hours for remote areasCourierUAE Embassy Islamabad page
MoHESR recognition18 working days after the partner confirms the degreeYour university’s reply to the verification partnerMoHESR service card
Pakistan degree attestation UAE published times and fees by stage: HEC attestation Rs 3,000, IBCC attestation Rs 1,200, MOFA Pakistan within two hours, UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA AED 150 plus AED 150, MoHESR 18 working days
What each stage publishes about its time and fee. Grey text means the authority does not publish a figure.

Working backwards from a start date

If an employer has given you a joining date, count backwards: the start date depends on the work permit, the permit may depend on MoHESR recognition and attestation, the UAE stage depends on MOFA Pakistan, MOFA Pakistan depends on HEC or IBCC, and HEC depends on your university answering. Two of those stages (HEC’s university verification and MoHESR’s partner verification) wait on the same university, so start MoHESR recognition as soon as the employer confirms it is needed rather than after attestation. They are independent processes.

Family documents from Pakistan (briefly)

Many Pakistani residents who attest a degree also need family documents, for a spouse or child’s residence visa or a school place. The route is the same shape without HEC or IBCC:

  • Marriage: the original nikah nama signed and stamped by the nikah registrar, the NADRA Marriage Registration Certificate (MRC), and the bride’s CNIC showing her husband’s name go to MOFA Pakistan, then to the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA as originals. Ask the UAE authority which of the nikah nama or MRC it wants attested, as each is a separate document and fee. Our marriage certificate attestation service handles this.
  • Birth certificates: MOFA Pakistan lists birth certificates among civil documents needing NADRA verification. If yours is an older handwritten union council certificate, get the computerised NADRA-registered version from the union council before a relative queues at MOFA Pakistan. See our birth certificate attestation service.
  • Translation: a nikah nama is largely in Urdu. If the UAE authority asks for Arabic, the translation is made after the attestation chain by a translator on the Ministry of Justice list (Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022, Articles 2 and 3).

Salary, housing and other conditions for sponsoring family are covered in our family visa salary requirement guide, and why family visas are refused in our family visa rejection guide.

After attestation: recognition, work permit and Golden visa

Attestation confirms that the degree and the stamps on it are genuine. It does not decide whether the qualification is comparable to a UAE one, and many UAE bodies ask that second question too.

What the degree is forWhat is usually askedWhere to read more
Work permit at a skilled levelu.ae (MOHRE text) treats work as skilled only if the worker holds a certificate higher than secondary “attested by the competent authorities”, is in skill levels 1 to 5, and earns at least AED 4,000 a monthWork permit types guide
Professional licence (health, engineering, teaching)Attestation plus MoHESR recognition and the regulator’s own checksDegree recognition guide
Golden visa, skilled professional routeDegree recognition for universities outside the UAEGolden visa eligibility guide
Further study in the UAERecognition of the earlier qualification; the university sets its own rulesThe admitting university

MoHESR recognition of a foreign degree costs AED 350 for the verification partner plus AED 50 for the report, with a published service time of 18 working days. Full detail, including the conditions of Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025, is in our degree recognition guide.

Where Pakistani files go wrong

Most of these problems arise on the Pakistan side, and most can be spotted from a photo before any fee is paid.

ProblemWhy it failsWhat it costsHow to prevent it
Degree from an institution or programme HEC does not recogniseHEC attests only recognised universities and DAIsThe route stops at stage 1; MoHESR recognition is also unlikelyCheck HEC’s recognised list, the PhD directory or the MS/MPhil NOC before applying
Name on the degree differs from the CNIC or passportHEC cross-checks the CNIC; UAE employers and MoHESR compare with the passportCorrection by the university or NADRA, in PakistanCompare every document character by character before anything is submitted
Matric sent to HEC, or degree sent to IBCCDifferent bodies, different documentsA wasted fee or tripHEC for university awards; IBCC for board certificates; NAVTTC for technical
Board certificate not verified by the boardIBCC requires board verification firstIBCC returns the fileGet the board verification printout before booking IBCC
Laminated certificateHEC, IBCC and the UAE Embassy do not attest laminated documentsA duplicate from the university or boardNever laminate originals; remove lamination only if the issuing body advises
Documents authenticated as a bundleThe UAE Embassy refuses bundlesA repeat of the MOFA Pakistan stage and a lost service feeAsk MOFA Pakistan for one attestation per document
UAE application filed before MOFA Pakistan is doneThe courier arrives within 24 hoursRejection; the service fee is not refundedApply only when the attested originals are in the hands of the person meeting the courier
Birth or marriage certificate not NADRA-verifiedMOFA Pakistan lists NADRA verification for civil documentsA return trip to the union council and NADRAUse the computerised NADRA certificates and the MRC
Non-Pakistani document sent to IslamabadThe embassy attests only Pakistan-issued documentsReturned; must go through the issuing countrySort documents by country of issue first
Stopping after attestationRecognition is a separate MoHESR processA held work permit or licence weeks laterAsk the employer at the start whether recognition is needed

Name mismatches on Pakistani documents

Pakistani documents record names in several ways that do not always line up with a machine-readable passport: the father’s name included on some and not others, “Muhammad” spelled three ways, a shortened first name on the matric certificate, or a woman’s name after marriage on the CNIC but not on her degree. Attestation says the document is genuine. It does not say the document is yours.

HEC accepts some differences (see the table in the HEC section), while IBCC is explicit that it “does not correct errors”. If the passport itself differs from the CNIC, fix that first: a UAE visa and Emirates ID follow the passport, and every document should match it. Our Emirates ID name correction guide explains the UAE side.

Running the Pakistan route from Dubai

If you are in the UAE and your documents are in Pakistan, the split is simple. The HEC stage and the UAE application can be done from Dubai; IBCC and MOFA Pakistan need the paper originals in Pakistan.

StageCan you do it from the UAE?Who handles the original in Pakistan
HEC attestationYes, fully online since 11 May 2026 (scans only)Nobody: HEC does not take the original
Board verification and IBCC attestationApply online, but originals must be submittedA blood relative with proof of relationship, or IBCC courier mode (Islamabad and Karachi); IBCC returns only within Pakistan
MOFA Pakistan attestationNo, originals must be presentedYou on a visit, a blood relative, a non-relative with an authority letter attested by the Pakistan Embassy or Consulate in the UAE, or an authorised courier company
UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFAYes, apply on the MOFA website with UAE PassSomeone at the pickup address with the originals and the printed AWB
MoHESR recognitionYes, onlineNobody; the verification partner contacts the university

The order that works from Dubai

  1. Ask the employer, school or authority in writing which documents they need attested and whether they also need MoHESR recognition.
  2. Ask your family to photograph every original, front and back, so you can check names, dates and lamination yourself.
  3. Start HEC attestation online the same day. Start MoHESR recognition too, if it is needed.
  4. Arrange board verification and IBCC attestation for school certificates through a blood relative or IBCC courier mode.
  5. Take the HEC e-certificate (printed), the original degree and the other originals to MOFA Pakistan, through a relative or an authorised courier, one attestation per document.
  6. Once the attested originals are back with your relative, and they can print the AWB and be home, file the UAE application with UAE Pass.
  7. Verify the emailed attestation on MOFA’s verification service and save it.

If you are going home on leave, do the stages that need originals then, and consider doing school and family documents on the same visit.

What circulates online that is not true

What you may read or hearWhat the official pages say now
“Post your original degree to HEC by TCS, or visit an HEC office.”Since 11 May 2026 HEC attestation is online and paperless: scans only, and an e-Attestation Certificate instead of a stamp (HEC page)
“Pakistan joined the Apostille Convention, so an apostille is enough for Dubai.”The UAE is not a party. The UAE Embassy Islamabad asks for MOFA Pakistan attestation, then its own stage and UAE MOFA (HCCH status table; embassy page)
“Attest at the UAE Embassy counter, then courier the paper to Dubai for MOFA.”One digital application covers both the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA (embassy page)
“The UAE stage takes two to three business days.”The embassy page no longer gives a processing time; it gives courier collection within 24 hours and return 24 to 48 hours after release. MOFA gives up to 15 business days for the service-provider route outside the UAE
“The UAE Ministry of Education issues degree equivalency.”Recognition of higher-education qualifications is done by MoHESR under Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025. MoE handles school (Grade 12) equivalency

Worked cases

These cases are built from the situations we see most often. Names and identifying details are left out, and the figures are the published ones.

Case 1: the engineer in Dubai with a Lahore degree

A civil engineer with a Dubai job offer needed his bachelor’s degree attested and recognised; the originals were with his parents in Lahore. He applied for HEC attestation online from Dubai for the degree and transcript (Rs 6,000) and started MoHESR recognition the same week. Once the e-certificates were issued, his brother took them with the originals to the MOFA Pakistan camp office in Lahore, one attestation per document. Only then did he file one UAE application for two documents (AED 600). Why it worked: the Pakistan side was finished first, and recognition ran in parallel.

Case 2: the laminated intermediate certificate

A supervisor’s promotion needed his intermediate certificate, because he had no degree. His certificate had been laminated years earlier. IBCC does not attest laminated documents, and neither does the UAE Embassy. He applied to his board for a duplicate, had it verified by the board, then booked an IBCC appointment through his father (Rs 1,200), went on to MOFA Pakistan, and filed the UAE application for one document (AED 300). Lesson: check for lamination from a photo before paying anything; the fix takes weeks and only the board can do it.

Case 3: the bundle

A family had the husband’s degree, the nikah nama and two birth certificates authenticated together by an agent in Pakistan who presented them as a set. The UAE application was rejected under the embassy’s rule that documents authenticated in a bundle are not accepted. The attestation fees were refunded automatically; the service and delivery fee was not. The documents went back to MOFA Pakistan for one attestation each. Lesson: tell anyone handling the Pakistan side, in writing, that each document needs its own attestation.

Case 4: the private university degree HEC would not attest

A marketing graduate’s degree came from a private institute that HEC’s list did not show as a recognised degree-awarding institute for her years of study. HEC attestation was not possible, and without it neither MOFA Pakistan nor the UAE Embassy would act. MoHESR recognition would have failed on the same ground. Her employer accepted her attested intermediate certificate and experience letters for a role that did not need a degree. Lesson: check the HEC list first; if the degree cannot be attested, find out what else the employer will accept before you spend money.

Case 5: the degree with a different surname

A teacher’s degree was in her maiden name; her passport and CNIC were in her married name. HEC accepted her nikah nama as linking evidence. For the UAE, she attested both the degree and the marriage certificate through MOFA Pakistan and the UAE stage (AED 600 for two documents), so the school and the licensing authority could see the link on attested paper. Lesson: the linking document needs its own full chain, so start it at the same time as the degree.

Does your file look like one of these cases? Tell us which one and send photos of your documents. We will map the stages and quote in writing before we start.

My case is similar

What we will and will not do

We willWe will not
Tell you which stages each Pakistani document still needs, before you payPromise a date for HEC, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan or a Pakistani university, because none of them publish one we can rely on
Show every government fee at cost, with receipts, and our fee separately in writingQuote a “package” that hides government fees inside our fee
File the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA stage and track itSubmit a document with a name, date or recognition problem and hope it passes
Arrange MoHESR recognition and MOJ-listed legal translation when they are neededAttest documents from an institution HEC does not recognise, or “fix” a document by any unofficial route
Tell you when you can do it yourself with UAE PassTake your originals without a signed receipt

Services: degree certificate attestation, document attestation, MOFA attestation, marriage certificate attestation, birth certificate attestation and legal translation.

How to verify every figure in this guide

Figure or ruleWhere to check it
HEC paperless system, Rs 3,000 per document, no refund for wrong selection, e-Attestation CertificateHEC Degree Attestation page
IBCC Rs 1,200; express Rs 3,000 / Rs 1,500; 10 working days by courier; blood relatives only; dispatch within PakistanIBCC attestation FAQs, express service FAQs, requirements page
MOFA Pakistan offices, hours, “no fee”, “within two hours”, NADRA and union council rules, couriers, 120-day POA validityMOFA Pakistan, Attestation of Documents page
Pakistan in the Apostille Convention from 9 March 2023; normal attestation continuesMOFA Pakistan accession notice; HCCH status table
One application for the embassy and MOFA; courier within 24 hours; return 24 to 48 (48 to 72) hours; bundle, lamination, GAMCA and refund rulesUAE Embassy Islamabad digital attestation page
AED 150 personal, AED 2,000 commercial; up to 15 business days outside the UAE; refunds within 14 working daysUAE MOFA attestation service page and FAQ; Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022
MoHESR AED 350 + AED 50, 18 working days; Decree No. 34 of 2025MoHESR service card and legislation page

Pakistan degree attestation UAE: frequently asked questions

What is the correct order for attesting a Pakistani degree for the UAE?

HEC attestation of the degree first, then MOFA Pakistan attestation, then one digital application covering the UAE Embassy Islamabad and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Matric and intermediate certificates take board verification and IBCC attestation instead of HEC. If the employer also needs recognition, apply to MoHESR in parallel rather than waiting for attestation to finish.

Can I do HEC attestation from Dubai?

Yes. Since 11 May 2026 HEC attestation is fully online and paperless. You create an account on the HEC e-Services portal with your CNIC, upload scans of your CNIC and degree, pay Rs 3,000 per document through 1Link, and download the e-Attestation Certificate once your university has verified the award. No original is sent to HEC and no office visit is needed.

How much does HEC attestation cost in 2026?

HEC’s page lists Rs 3,000 per document, covering a degree, transcript, provisional certificate or HEC equivalence letter. A degree with one transcript is Rs 6,000. HEC does not refund, adjust or transfer a fee paid for the wrong document selection. The older Rs 1,000 and urgent Rs 3,000 figures belong to the paper system that ended in May 2026.

Does my matric or intermediate certificate need IBCC attestation?

Only if a UAE employer, school, university or authority asks for it. If it does, the certificate must first be verified by the board that issued it, then attested by IBCC (Rs 1,200 per original, or Rs 3,000 on the Islamabad express service), then by MOFA Pakistan and the UAE stage. HEC does not attest board certificates.

Is a Pakistani apostille accepted in the UAE?

Not on its own. Pakistan joined the Apostille Convention on 9 March 2023, but the UAE is not a party, so the UAE still requires the UAE Embassy stage and UAE MOFA. The UAE Embassy Islamabad asks for MOFA Pakistan attestation, which continues alongside the apostille service. If you already hold an apostille, ask the embassy before paying for the UAE stage.

How much does MOFA Pakistan charge for attestation?

The official pages differ. MOFA Pakistan’s attestation page says no fee is charged for attestation and only revenue stamps are required. Its apostille portal lists Rs 3,000 per personal or educational document and does not say whether that also applies to attestation for the UAE. Budget up to Rs 3,000 per document and confirm on the challan or with the authorised courier.

Do I still need to send my documents to Dubai after the UAE Embassy Islamabad attests them?

No. One application on the UAE MOFA website covers both the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA, and the attested document arrives by email. The original is collected by a courier in Pakistan and returned there. Only documents that already carry an old paper embassy stamp need a separate MOFA application in the UAE.

How long does the UAE stage take for Pakistani documents?

The courier collects the original within 24 hours of submission and returns it 24 to 48 hours after the embassy releases it (48 to 72 hours in remote areas). The embassy does not publish its own processing time. UAE MOFA gives up to 15 business days for the service-provider route outside the UAE. The Pakistan stages before it have their own timelines.

My name on the degree is different from my passport. What should I do?

Attestation confirms the document is genuine, not that it is yours. HEC accepts some differences, such as Mohammad, M. or Mohd. and honorifics like Syed or Khan, and accepts a nikah nama for a married name. Other differences need a corrected CNIC through NADRA or a corrected degree from the university, before attestation. Keep an attested linking document, such as a marriage certificate, with the degree.

Will HEC attest a degree from a private university?

Only if the institution is a university or degree-awarding institute recognised by HEC, and the programme meets HEC’s conditions, such as the NOC for MS and MPhil programmes started after 7 November 2013 or the PhD Country Directory. Check HEC’s recognised list before paying. A degree HEC will not attest is also unlikely to pass MoHESR recognition in the UAE.

Is attestation enough for a UAE work permit or Golden visa?

Not always. For a skilled work permit, u.ae refers to a qualification “attested by the competent authorities”. Many employers, licensing bodies and the Golden visa skilled route also ask for MoHESR recognition of a foreign degree: AED 350 partner verification plus AED 50, 18 working days. Ask the employer in writing which one it needs.

Do Pakistani marriage and birth certificates follow the same route?

Yes, without HEC or IBCC. The nikah nama, NADRA Marriage Registration Certificate and NADRA-verified birth certificates go to MOFA Pakistan, then to the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA. The embassy accepts only originals for civil documents. An Urdu document may need legal translation into Arabic by a Ministry of Justice listed translator after attestation.

Can MIRDXB PRO handle Pakistan degree attestation for me?

Yes. We check which stages each document still needs, guide your HEC application, plan the stages that need originals in Pakistan with your relative or an authorised courier, file the UAE Embassy Islamabad and UAE MOFA application, arrange MoHESR recognition and translation where needed, and verify the result. Send photos of your documents on WhatsApp and we quote in writing before we start.

How much does MIRDXB PRO charge?

Government fees (HEC, IBCC, the UAE embassy and MOFA fees, MoHESR) and courier or service-provider charges are passed on at cost with receipts. Our service charge for the UAE MOFA step is AED 250 per attestation, on top of MOFA’s fee; for the other stages our fee depends on the number of documents and the stages left, and it is always quoted in writing before we start. Our general price guide is on our fees page, and the official fee lines are in this guide.

Getting Pakistani documents through HEC, MOFA Pakistan and the UAE stages, and into the work permit, licence or family visa they are for, is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles from our office in Al Barsha. You can also contact us directly.

Correction/Update, 24 September 2026

This guide was rewritten and checked against the official pages. Changes from the previous version: (1) it said most UAE-side requests complete in “2–3 business days”; the current UAE Embassy Islamabad page gives no processing time, only courier collection within 24 hours and return 24 to 48 hours after release, and MOFA gives up to 15 business days for the route outside the UAE. (2) It said the embassy requires degrees “prior attested from HEC and MoFA” with CNIC and passport copies; that wording is not on the current embassy page, and the prior-verification rules now come from MOFA Pakistan’s and HEC’s own pages. (3) It did not reflect HEC’s paperless e-attestation system (from 11 May 2026, Rs 3,000 per document). (4) It named IBCC the “Inter Board Committee of Chairmen”; it is the Inter Boards Coordination Commission under the IBCC Act 2023. (5) It listed four MOFA Pakistan camp offices; MOFA Pakistan lists five (Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Gujrat). (6) It said degree recognition is by the Ministry of Education under a 2023 framework; recognition of foreign degrees is by MoHESR under Ministerial Decree No. 34 of 2025. (7) It did not state any fees; this version adds the published HEC, IBCC, MOFA Pakistan and UAE fees, and the conflict on MOFA Pakistan’s fee.

Please note. This guide sets out the procedures, fees and service times published by the Higher Education Commission, IBCC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, the UAE Embassy in Islamabad, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MoHESR and the HCCH, verified 24 September 2026. Pakistani fees and procedures are set in Pakistan and can change without notice in the UAE; the authority’s own screen and decision are final. Where official sources differ, such as MOFA Pakistan’s attestation fee, both are shown. The cases are built from common situations and are illustrative, not the records of named clients. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Mir Ali

Written by

Mir Ali

Mir Ali founded MIRDXB PRO, a PRO and visa services firm in Al Barsha, Dubai. Over the past three years he has personally handled more than 100 visa, Emirates ID, labour and company files across MOHRE, GDRFA, ICP and DET, and he reviews every guide on this site against those real cases.

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