The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially launched a new digital service aimed at verifying the academic qualifications of private sector employees, effective Monday.

This initiative, named the 'Academic Qualification Verification Project,' targets private sector employers and workers holding academic degrees issued from outside the UAE, encompassing professional skill levels 1 to 4.

Authorities confirmed that the verification service will eventually extend to include degrees awarded within the UAE.

Interested users can access the service through the MoHRE's website, a smart application, or at business service centers located throughout the country.

In an official statement, MoHRE stated that the new service promises a variety of benefits to both government entities and private sector organizations by ensuring the validity and authenticity of academic credentials presented during the employment process.

This digital solution facilitates more dependable hiring practices, minimizes paperwork, and consolidates the service into a streamlined verification process for a single fee.

It is a requirement for all employees in the UAE to have their educational certificates attested to secure the right to work in the country.

For expatriates, attestation from their home countries is necessary before they can initiate the process in the UAE, which typically takes 10 working days or more.

If the certificates are already attested in the home country, this process can be expedited to two days in the UAE.

The introduction of the new verification system aims to accelerate and simplify these procedures.

The project is expected to provide a highly credible and efficient employment service.

MoHRE plans to integrate the verification process into the issuance of work permits, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary for Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the ministry's regulatory objectives to counteract detrimental practices within the employment sector.

Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), this innovative project is designed to quickly and reliably respond to the evolving needs of the labor market while adhering to high professional standards.

MoHESR will act as the academic verification authority, while the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is tasked with supporting the necessary digital infrastructure.

Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary of MoHESR, highlighted that this initiative will enhance the speed, precision, and reliability of the academic qualification verification process, stating that it aligns with the goals of the Zero Government Bureaucracy program.

He indicated that ongoing collaboration with various federal and local entities, along with active participation across all economic sectors, will lead to more innovative initiatives that bolster the higher education sector's contribution to national objectives and aspirations.