UAE work permits are tied to specific job roles, not universal degree requirements. What qualifications MOHRE accepts depends on your profession, salary level, and the visa category your employer applies for. This guide explains what educational credentials work for different situations.
How MOHRE Evaluates Qualifications
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) doesn't mandate a single minimum degree for all work permits. Instead, qualifications are evaluated against:
- Job classification: Each occupation has expected qualification levels
- Salary band: Higher salaries often correlate with higher qualification requirements
- Visa category: Skilled worker visas have different requirements than general employment
- Industry regulations: Healthcare, education, and engineering have specific requirements
Bachelor's Degrees
A bachelor's degree is the most common qualification for professional roles in the UAE. MOHRE accepts bachelor's degrees from accredited universities worldwide.
Bachelor's Degree Requirements
- 3-4 year undergraduate degree from accredited institution
- Full attestation chain (home country → UAE Embassy → MOFA)
- MOJ-certified Arabic translation
- Transcript translation (sometimes required)
Accepted for: Management, engineering, accounting, HR, marketing, IT, and most professional roles
Common Bachelor's Degree Types
- BA (Bachelor of Arts) — Humanities, social sciences, languages
- BSc (Bachelor of Science) — Sciences, technology, mathematics
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) — Business and management
- BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) — Engineering disciplines
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws) — Legal profession
Master's & Postgraduate Degrees
Master's degrees aren't required for most UAE work permits, but they enable certain opportunities:
- Higher starting salaries in many organizations
- Qualification for senior positions
- Golden Visa professional category (with AED 30K+ salary)
- Academic positions at UAE universities
Master's Degree Requirements
- 1-2 year postgraduate degree from accredited institution
- Bachelor's degree as prerequisite (both may need translation)
- Full attestation chain
- MOJ-certified translation
Types: MA, MSc, MBA, MEng, LLM, MPhil
Doctoral Degrees
PhD, DBA, and other doctoral degrees follow similar requirements. See our PhD and DBA translation guide for detailed authority-specific requirements.
Diplomas & Associate Degrees
Diplomas and associate degrees are accepted for many positions in the UAE. These shorter programs (1-2 years) qualify holders for technical and skilled roles.
Diploma Requirements
- Certificate from accredited technical or vocational institution
- Full attestation chain
- MOJ-certified translation
Accepted for: Technical roles, skilled trades, hospitality, healthcare support, administrative positions
Higher National Diplomas (HND)
UK-style HNDs are well-recognized in the UAE due to historical ties. These two-year vocational qualifications are accepted for technical and supervisory roles.
Professional Certifications
Certain professional certifications can support or sometimes replace degree requirements for specific roles. The certification must be from a recognized professional body.
Accounting & Finance
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
Project Management
- PMP (Project Management Professional)
- PRINCE2
- Agile/Scrum certifications
Technology
- CISCO certifications (CCNA, CCNP)
- Microsoft certifications
- AWS/Azure cloud certifications
Healthcare
- Nursing licenses (requires DHA verification)
- Pharmacy licenses
- Allied health certifications
Professional Certificates Need Translation Too
Professional certifications require the same attestation and translation process as academic degrees. The issuing body must be recognized, and the certificate must be properly attested before translation.
Distance Education & Online Degrees
Online and distance learning degrees are accepted by MOHRE when they meet specific criteria. Not all online degrees qualify—accreditation matters significantly.
Accepted Online Degrees
- Degrees from universities with proper home-country accreditation
- Programs recognized by the country's education ministry
- Universities on the MOHESR recognized institution list
Potentially Rejected
- Degrees from unaccredited online-only institutions
- Programs from "diploma mills"
- Degrees not recognized in the issuing country
Read our complete guide on distance education degrees for detailed information on what's accepted.
Regulated Professions
Some professions have specific qualification requirements beyond standard MOHRE processing:
Healthcare
DHA, DOH, or MOH licensing required. DataFlow verification of all credentials mandatory.
Engineering
Society of Engineers registration for many roles. Degree must be from accredited engineering program.
Education
KHDA or ADEK approval for teaching positions. Teaching certificate often required alongside degree.
Legal
MOJ registration required for legal practice. Law degree from recognized institution mandatory.
Translation Requirements Summary
Regardless of degree type, the translation requirements are consistent:
- Attestation first: Complete the attestation chain in your home country
- UAE attestation: UAE Embassy attestation (for most countries) + MOFA
- Translation: MOJ-certified Arabic translation
- Supporting documents: Transcripts if employer requires
Timeline Planning
Allow 2-4 weeks for attestation and translation. If you need MOHESR equivalency (for government jobs or Golden Visa), add another 2-3 weeks. Start the process before your job offer confirmation to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a UAE work permit with only a diploma?
Yes, for many positions. UAE work permits are issued based on job requirements, not minimum degree thresholds. Skilled trade positions, technical roles, and many service sector jobs accept diploma holders. Higher-skilled visa categories and some professions do require bachelor's degrees.
Do all degrees need translation for UAE work permit?
Yes. Any educational document not in Arabic requires MOJ-certified translation for MOHRE processing. This includes degrees, diplomas, and professional certificates from any country. The translation must accompany the attested original document.
What if my degree is from an unrecognized university?
MOHRE may reject work permit applications if the degree is from an institution not recognized by the home country's education ministry. Distance learning degrees from unaccredited institutions are particularly problematic. Verify your university's accreditation status before applying.
Is MOHESR equivalency required for all work permits?
No. MOHESR equivalency is only required for government jobs, Golden Visa professional category, and certain regulated professions. Most private sector work permits only require attested and translated degrees without equivalency.
Can professional certifications replace a degree for work permits?
For some positions, yes. Certain professional certifications (CPA, ACCA, PMP, etc.) are accepted for relevant roles. The certification must be attested and translated. However, for positions explicitly requiring degrees, certifications alone won't suffice.
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