Studying in the UAE from India: degree attestation and recognition
Indian students make up a large part of the UAE's student community, and the Indian Embassy and Consulate publish specific advice on documents and accreditation. This guide covers the attestation chain for Indian certificates, how the UAE Ministry of Education treats Indian degrees, and what the Indian Consulate in Dubai warns about. Rules and fees change, so check the official sources before you pay anything.
- A year costs from
- ~US$22,000 all-in
- Next intakes you can make
- May 2027, September 2027
- Published visa figure, Indian applicants
- Not published
- Work after graduating
- Job-seeker and long-term visa options for eligible graduates
What is different from India
Indian educational certificates go through a set attestation chain
The Embassy of India in the UAE says educational certificates from India are first authenticated by the state government, then attested by the Ministry of External Affairs, then by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or the UAE Consulate in Mumbai, and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate General in Dubai also attests them. The page may predate the UAE's digital attestation services, so confirm the current steps. Source
India and the UAE sit differently in the Apostille table
The Hague Conference status table lists India as an Apostille Convention party since 2005 and did not list the United Arab Emirates when we checked. Ask your university which attestation route it accepts for your certificates. Source
India is in Group A for UAE Ministry of Education degree verification
The Ministry's welcome kit places degrees issued in India in Group A. Verification of one degree is listed at AED 300 plus 5 percent VAT, with a standard 12 to 25 working days depending on the country. The kit is dated 2021, so check the current fee and time. This matters mainly if you apply for a master's in the UAE with an Indian bachelor's. Source
The Indian Consulate in Dubai advises equalising an Indian bachelor's degree first
The Consulate General of India in Dubai advises Indian students who completed a bachelor's degree in India to have it equalised by the UAE Ministry of Education before enrolling in a course at a CAA-approved institution in Dubai or the Northern Emirates. Source
The Consulate says degrees obtained by distance or private mode are not recognised
The Consulate's education page states that the UAE Ministry of Education does not recognise degrees obtained through distance or private mode of study. If your Indian bachelor's was earned that way, check with the Ministry or university before applying. Source
The Consulate points students to KHDA or CAA accreditation
The Consulate advises Indian students to choose institutions approved by KHDA or CAA, or Indian universities authorised by the UGC to run offshore campuses in the UAE, and to check that the course is recognised in India. Check the current accreditation status with KHDA or CAA before you pay a deposit. Source
Your steps, in order
- Check whether your Indian degree was earned in regular mode and ask the university about equalisation.
- Ask your university which attestation route it accepts for Indian certificates, and follow the Indian Embassy's steps if consular attestation is required.
- Check the institution's KHDA or CAA accreditation before paying.
- If you want a master's in the UAE, ask whether the Ministry of Education verification applies to your degree.
- Ask the university to explain who sponsors your student visa.
- Keep attested copies and translations in a single folder in the order the institution requests.
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Get my free planQuestions Indian students ask
Do I need to attest my Indian certificates?
The Embassy of India in the UAE describes a state, Ministry of External Affairs, UAE mission and Indian mission chain. Ask your university which of these it requires.
Does the UAE accept my Indian distance degree?
The Indian Consulate in Dubai states that the UAE Ministry of Education does not recognise degrees obtained through distance or private mode, so check before applying.
How long does Ministry of Education verification take?
The 2021 kit gives 12 to 25 working days depending on the country and AED 300 plus VAT for one degree. Check the current figures.
Facts checked 18 October 2026. Rules change often — the official source linked beside each fact always wins over this page. We never promise admission or a visa.