Degree Certificate Attestation

For expatriates, this is particularly important for:

• Sponsoring a Family Residence Visa: To bring your family (spouse, children, or parents) to Saudi Arabia on a permanent family visa, you must prove your professional qualifications. Attested educational certificates are often required to demonstrate eligibility, especially for professions eligible for family sponsorship, such as engineering or technical roles.
• Applying for Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) Membership: The SCE regulates engineering professionals in Saudi Arabia. To practice as an engineer or technician, you must register with the SCE, which requires an attested degree certificate to verify your qualifications. Without SCE membership, professionals cannot renew their Iqama (residence permit) or practice legally in the Kingdom.

The Mosadaqa platform, launched by the Saudi Arabia Cultural Attaché (SACA), has revolutionized this process by allowing electronic attestation for select foreign nationals, replacing the cumbersome in-person visits previously required. To learn more about Mosadaqa and the step-by-step attestation process, consult the official platform or get assistance from approved service providers.

What is Mosadaqa Attestation?

Mosadaqa is an online e-service platform developed by the Saudi government to facilitate the verification and attestation of educational certificates. Introduced on August 29, 2023, it allows foreign nationals to electronically attest their non-Saudi degree certificates, making the process faster, more accessible, and secure. The platform automates and unifies the workflow of certificate verification, integrates with stakeholders (such as universities and embassies), and speeds up processing times. Mosadaqa currently supports attestation for certificates issued in over 50 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, Maldives, and Myanmar, with plans to expand further.

Step-by-Step Process for Mosadaqa Attestation

To successfully attest your degree certificate through Mosadaqa for sponsoring a family residence visa or applying for Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) membership, follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Prepare Documents

Before starting, ensure your degree certificate is from a country supported by Mosadaqa. The platform accepts various educational credentials, including college diplomas (two-year higher education degrees), bachelor’s degrees, higher diplomas (post-graduate diplomas), master’s degrees, and PhD degrees.

Required Documents:

• Original Degree Certificate: Authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the degree-issuing country.
• Original Transcripts: Covering all years of study.
• Regular Letter from University: An original letter from the issuing university confirming the mode of study (regular or correspondence).
• Identification Documents: Scanned copies of your passport and national identification card.
• Offer Letter (for Visa Purposes): An original offer letter attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and MOFA, issued within the last three months, may be required for visa-related attestations.

Key Considerations:

• Ensure your name is consistent across all documents (degree, passport, ID card, and agreement letter). For married women, a marriage certificate helps resolve name discrepancies.
• Documents must be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified legal translation into Arabic.
• Verify that your degree is from an accredited institution recognized by Saudi authorities, as non-recognized degrees (e.g., from certain virtual universities) may be rejected.

Step 2: Electronic Attestation by SACA

Once your application is submitted, the Saudi Authority for Accredited Certificate Attestation (SACA) reviews and verifies your documents through Mosadaqa. SACA contacts the issuing educational institution to confirm the authenticity of your degree, which can take varying amounts of time depending on the institution’s response speed.

The Mosadaqa platform streamlines this by integrating with stakeholders, ensuring a unified workflow. Upon successful verification, SACA electronically attests your degree certificate, and you’ll receive a notification through the Mosadaqa platform. The attested document is available for download.

The Mosadaqa attestation ensures your degree is recognized as authentic, streamlining the visa process. Note: Accompanying children must be under 18, and daughters must be single.

Applying for Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) Membership

The SCE requires all engineers and technicians to register to practice legally in Saudi Arabia. An attested degree is a core requirement for membership. Here’s how to use your Mosadaqa-attested degree for SCE registration:

Common Issues and Tips:

• Delays in University Verification: The speed of attestation depends on how quickly your university responds to SACA’s verification request. Contact your university in advance to ensure they’re prepared to verify your degree.
• Name Discrepancies: For married women, name differences between the degree and passport can cause objections. Always include a marriage certificate to resolve this.
• Non-Recognized Degrees: Degrees from certain virtual or non-accredited universities may not be accepted. Verify your institution’s status with the Saudi Embassy before starting.
• Document Authenticity: Ensure all documents are original and properly authenticated by the issuing country’s authorities (e.g., MOFA, HRD) to avoid rejection.
• Hiring Professional Services: If navigating the process seems daunting, consider reputable attestation services like Saudivisaagency.

Pro Tips:

• Start the attestation process early, as it can take a few months, depending on the issuing country and institution.
• Keep digital and physical copies of all documents, including the Mosadaqa-attested degree, for future use.
• Check the SCE’s list of eligible professions and ensure your Iqama profession aligns with your degree to avoid complications.
• For family visa sponsorship, confirm your company’s Nitaqat category (it must be Green or Platinum) and ensure your Iqama is valid.

Why Mosadaqa is a Game-Changer?

The Mosadaqa platform has transformed degree attestation by:

• Eliminating In-Person Visits: No need to visit SACA offices for the initial attestation step.
• Global Reach: Supports attestation for degrees from 50+ countries, with plans for expansion.
• Permanent Validity: Once attested, the verification decision is valid indefinitely in Saudi Arabia, saving time for future applications.
• Efficiency: Automates workflows and integrates with universities and embassies, reducing processing times.

This digital approach aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes modernization and ease of doing business for expatriates.