The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pathways for international students. Individuals come to study in foreign universities in the UAE to make a better future. Some of them also come for lucrative job opportunities. Recently, an issue of fake study documents has arisen in the UAE’s education sector. Immigrants provide forged educational degrees and professional licenses for their benefit in the UAE. It is a serious offense in the UAE. It challenges the credibility of the labour force and educational standards in the UAE. Therefore, strict rules and regulations are implemented in all emirates.
Rules and Regulations Against Fake Degrees and Certificates
There are strict laws against forged documents and certificates. They are governed under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (UAE Penal Code), a law against forgery, which usually happens with public and private documents. These papers would help individuals to get residency; therefore, some try to tamper with their documents to deceive the authorities in the UAE. If the documents are forged or shared online, that would be considered a cybercrime. However, the law for cybercrimes will be applied when the case is registered for forgery.
Documents Used in Public and Private Sectors
Providing fake credentials in the public sector would lead to criminal proceedings, especially if licenses and certificates are forged. However, the private sector would simply terminate the individual for providing forged documents. They will make legal claims against the individual, which may include a heavy financial penalty.
Punishments for Tampering with Documents in the UAE
If an individual submits, uses, or creates a fake educational degree for their personal gains, that can result in 10 years of imprisonment and even deportation in the case of an expat. In the UAE, forgery is discouraged and considered a crime. In fact, using forged documents can also lead to criminal proceedings. Individuals who claim innocence in these cases may have to provide extensive proof. The penalties are strict when it comes to forged documents related to the medical, financial, and engineering sectors. Any forged document that could threaten national security will lead to bigger punishments.
Save yourself with Fake Documents
The verification of documents is essential. If you are an employer, always go for educational degrees that are attested by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. In contrast to this situation, the job seeker must ensure that their degree is accredited by the home country and in the UAE.
Verification Systems in 2025
The UAE government has faced difficulties in verifying the documents. Recently, it has introduced digital verification systems to protect real documents. To stay away from fraudulent cases, the UAE government and the educational sector would use a centralised platform for the verification of documents. These platforms include: MOE Equivalency System, UAE PASS, and Dubai Smart Government databases. It has helped students, job seekers, and employers to stay away from the fake credentials of individuals.
Tools for Verification
The certificates and educational documents can be verified by QR codes. However, communication with the university may also be a good strategy to learn about the candidate.
License for Professionals
There are professions that require a specific license to practice in the UAE. For example, a medical license is required for every health doctor or a medical professional. Also, lawyers in Dubai and other emirates would need legal certifications and a license to practice law. Importantly, these professional certifications and licenses are regulated by certain authorities in the UAE. If any document is found to be fake or forged, it can be reported to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Such cases can also be reported to the Dubai Municipality. As a result of these illegal activities, individuals may be blacklisted permanently in the UAE or have a job ban in severe cases.
Restrictions on Professionals
Individuals who are found guilty of sharing fake credentials in the UAE may never get a job in the UAE. The criminal sentence on them will remain forever for people, even if they have served it.
Legal and Financial Repercussions of Academic Fraud
Academic fraud occurs when an individual submits fake educational degrees. Institutions and employers become the victims of academic fraud. In response to these fraudulent cases, they can file claims and compensation in the UAE courts. Depending on the damage made to the institutions, the claims are awarded.
Compensation Claims for Employers in the UAE
The employers can make a claim for compensation if they have found out about the employee’s fake credentials. Whether the business has gone through any financial loss or not, forged documents shall be reported in the UAE to prevent further losses.
Responsibilities in Business and HR Practices
In the UAE, strict laws are implemented for any kind of criminal activity, whether it is in a business or civil environment. To avoid illegal hiring, the human resources departments work with lawyers in Dubai. They would verify the credentials of the individuals to interview them in the company. Reference checks, background screening, and international assessments are essential to fall in the category of any job in the UAE.
Termination in the UAE
If the individual is found using fake credentials to get a job in the UAE, they will be immediately terminated from the job. Additionally, they will serve a prison sentence as per the criminal laws for forgery in the UAE.
Summary
The UAE is making strict rules and regulations for international students and job seekers. They have to get degrees attested by the official authorities in the UAE. If anyone is found using fake credentials in the Emirates, they will be terminated from their job. They may never get another job. Also, they will have to serve imprisonment and financial penalties. Importantly, the expats would be deported to their home countries. Therefore, always hire a lawyer for your case if you were indirectly involved in submitting or using fake credentials for an individual.