UAE steps up scrutiny of academic certificates – with Dh30,000 fine among penalties for fakes

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced stringent measures to combat the proliferation of forged academic qualifications, with severe penalties imposed for those found guilty of such offenses. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research emphasized the importance of verifying the legitimacy of academic credentials, especially as the demand for document validation escalates.

The ministry unveiled a robust system designed to monitor and authenticate qualifications from both UAE-based and international institutions, thus safeguarding the interests of employers across both public and private sectors.

Ahmed Al Hammadi, the director of the legal affairs department at the ministry, underscored the ministry's unwavering commitment to preserving the credibility and integrity of academic qualifications, both domestically and internationally. Any case involving the suspected forgery, manipulation, or alteration of information within academic certificates is rigorously investigated and dealt with according to established legal protocols, with referrals made to judicial authorities when criminal offenses are suspected.

In 2025, the ministry processed 178,600 requests for verification of academic qualifications, a number that surged to 253,000 by the start of September 2026. This increase underscores the heightened vigilance and the emphasis placed on upholding the integrity and credibility of academic credentials. The ministry has issued a stern warning against any actions that might compromise the authenticity and trustworthiness of these qualifications.

The verification and monitoring framework established by the ministry serves as a crucial tool in the early detection of potential fraud, thereby enabling prompt action to be taken. Public and private sector entities, as well as employers, are urged to actively participate in the verification process of academic qualifications to mitigate the risk of employing individuals with forged credentials.

Article 252 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 on Crimes and Penalties outlines the legal repercussions for those involved in the forgery of documents. Forgers of official documents face up to 10 years in jail, while the penalty for forging unofficial documents, including academic qualifications, is a detention term. The UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research collaborates closely with the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Public Prosecution, and local prosecution authorities to ensure a swift and effective response to any cases involving suspected fraudulent activities.