If you are an executive working in the UAE and aiming to apply for the Golden Visa, there are essential requirements to consider before starting the application process.
Aside from meeting the salary criteria, you need to ensure your academic qualifications are properly attested.
Importance of the Equivalency Certificate
For executives applying under the ‘Chief Executive’ designation, your bachelor’s or master’s degree must be attested by both the UAE embassy in your home country and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, you need an equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Sirajudeen Ummer, a public relations manager at Galaxy Digital Business Services Dubai, explained to Gulf News, “When applying for a Golden Visa under the ‘Chief Executive’ Designation, their degree must be attested and an equivalency certificate issued by the Ministry of Education must be submitted.”
According to Abdulhusen Munpurwala, the business development manager at PRO Deskk Document Clearing Services LLC, this category is quite popular. “The demand for the Executive Golden Visa in Dubai has been consistently high, and individuals need to get the MOE Equivalency Certificate to ensure their application meets the necessary criteria,” he said.
The entire equivalency process can take between two to three months, depending on your university’s requirements and MOE standards. Once you have the certificate, the Golden Visa application process is much quicker, taking approximately five to seven working days if all other requirements are met.
Golden Visa Requirements
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD) outlines the following documents required for business and management specialists applying for the Golden Visa under the ‘specialised talents’ category:
- A copy of the passport.
- A valid employment contract in the UAE.
- Salary certificate with a monthly salary of no less than Dh30,000.
- Licence to practise the profession (for professions that require it).
- Certificate of academic achievement, not less than a bachelor’s degree, with a recognition report from the Ministry of Education.
- Bank statement showing salary transfers for the last six months.
How to Obtain the Equivalency Certificate
The MOE offers an online service for recognizing university degrees earned outside the UAE, confirming they meet MOE guidelines and international academic standards.
The process involves two main stages:
- Degree Verification: Utilize QuadraBay or DataFlow for degree verification. After verification, you’ll receive a reference number to apply for the Certificate of Recognition from the MOE.
- Certificate of Recognition: Apply for the equivalency certificate from MOE by visiting the MOE’s website, logging in with your UAE Pass account, entering the reference number from the verification partner, confirming your details, and paying the application fee. You will receive the certificate with a recognition decision via email.
Cost of Equivalency Certificates
- Bachelor’s degree equivalency: Dh100
- Master’s degree equivalency: Dh150
- PhD degree equivalency: Dh200
For detailed steps and to start your application, visit the MOE’s official webpage for university certificate equivalization.
