How to Apply for a Migration Certificate in Pakistan?
How to Apply for a Migration Certificate in Pakistan?
A Migration Certificate is an important educational document used when a student moves from one educational board or institution to another under circumstances where migration approval is required.
Students in Pakistan may need a Migration Certificate when changing their educational board, moving from one institution or university to another, or continuing their education under a different examining or awarding authority.
The exact procedure is not identical throughout Pakistan. It depends on the educational level, the relevant Board or University, the student's previous institution, and the institution where the student wants to continue education.
For example, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) provides an online application system for Migration Certificates. Its current process asks applicants to enter their registration number, select the relevant class/year/roll-number reference, generate or enter a challan number, and submit the application. FBISE also lists a leaving certificate upload for regular students.
BISE Peshawar explains migration as the transfer of a student or candidate from one institution, Board, or University to another for education. Its published guidance distinguishes between school/college migration, Board-to-Board migration, and Board-to-University migration.
What Is a Migration Certificate?
A Migration Certificate is an official educational document that confirms that a student is permitted to migrate from one educational authority, board, or institution to another according to the applicable rules.
It is generally associated with changing the educational authority under which the student's academic record is maintained.
The receiving institution may ask for a Migration Certificate before allowing the student to complete admission or registration.
A Migration Certificate should not be confused with a Character Certificate, Transfer Certificate, or Leaving Certificate. These documents serve different purposes, although a particular institution may ask for more than one of them.
Why Do Students Need a Migration Certificate?
A student may need a Migration Certificate when:
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Moving from one educational Board to another
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Moving from one college to another under different Board arrangements
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Moving from a Board to a University
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Changing universities where migration rules apply
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Seeking admission under another educational authority
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Continuing education in an institution that specifically requires migration documentation
The exact requirement depends on the receiving institution and applicable regulations.
For example, the University of the Punjab's admission regulations state that a migration certificate may have to be produced by an applicant who graduated from a university other than the Punjab/all Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education, subject to the applicable migration policy.
Types of Migration Situations in Pakistan
Board-to-Board Migration
This situation occurs when a student moves from one educational Board to another.
The student may have to obtain permission from the relevant Board and provide academic documents, an application, and the prescribed fee.
The exact requirements vary between Boards.
Board-to-University Migration
A student may need migration documentation when moving from a Board-based qualification into a university or higher-education system where the receiving institution requires it.
BISE Peshawar, for example, describes Board-to-University migration and lists formalities including an attested migration application, prescribed fee, and specified academic documents.
College-to-College Migration
College-to-college migration can involve the previous and receiving institutions as well as the relevant Board.
Some Boards require approval or institutional consent before migration is allowed.
BISE Peshawar states that school-to-school and college-to-college migration may require requests from institutions and consent of the heads of the institutions under its applicable procedure.
University-to-University Migration
University migration is different from Board migration.
A student moving between universities must follow the migration policy of the receiving university and, where required, the previous university.
The receiving university may assess whether the student qualifies for migration based on completed semesters, credits, academic standing, available seats, and other conditions.
There is no single nationwide university migration procedure applicable to every institution.
Who Issues the Migration Certificate?
The issuing authority depends on the student's educational situation.
For school or college Board migration, the relevant educational Board normally handles the certificate.
For university migration, the relevant university or competent authority handles the process according to its migration regulations.
Students should first identify which authority controls their current academic record and which authority the receiving institution requires.
How to Apply for a Migration Certificate Online
Many educational authorities are increasingly offering online services.
FBISE, for example, currently provides an online Migration Certificate application system. Applicants enter their registration number, search their record, select the relevant reference, generate or enter the challan, and submit the application. FBISE states that after fee verification, the Migration Certificate is emailed to the applicant.
The exact online process can differ between Boards.
Students should therefore use only the official website of their relevant Board or University.
How to Apply for a Migration Certificate Through an Educational Board
The general process is usually:
First, determine whether migration is actually required.
Next, check the Board's latest migration rules.
Prepare the required academic documents.
Complete the migration application.
Obtain any required signatures, verification, or institutional recommendation.
Pay the prescribed fee.
Submit the application through the specified online or physical method.
Wait for verification.
Receive or collect the Migration Certificate according to the Board's delivery procedure.
The exact sequence can change from one Board to another.
Documents Commonly Used for Migration
There is no single document list for every Board and University.
Depending on the case, an applicant may need:
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CNIC or B-Form
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Registration number
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Roll number
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Latest DMC or result card
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Previous certificate
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Leaving Certificate
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Transfer Certificate where required
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Migration application
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Institution verification
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Admission proof from the receiving institution
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Challan or fee payment evidence
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Passport-size photograph where required
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Affidavit where required
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Other supporting documents specified by the authority
For example, FBISE's online migration system currently includes a leaving-certificate upload requirement for regular students.
BISE Peshawar's published requirements vary according to the type of migration and can include last DMC, original certificate and DMC for certain Board-to-University cases.
Migration Certificate and Leaving Certificate
These documents are not necessarily the same.
A Leaving Certificate generally confirms that a student has left an educational institution.
A Migration Certificate deals with permission or documentation for moving between educational authorities, Boards, or institutions where migration rules apply.
A Board may require a Leaving Certificate as supporting evidence before processing migration.
FBISE's current online migration application specifically provides for uploading a Leaving Certificate for regular students.
Migration Certificate and Transfer Certificate
A Transfer Certificate is generally connected with leaving one institution and transferring to another.
A Migration Certificate is connected with migration between educational authorities or institutions where formal migration permission is required.
Some institutions may request both documents.
Students should follow the exact checklist provided by the receiving institution.
Is Migration Certificate Required for University Admission?
Not for every university admission.
Some universities specifically require it in particular situations, especially when the student's previous qualification or degree was completed under another Board or University.
The University of the Punjab's published admission regulations provide an example where a migration certificate is required in certain cases involving applicants who graduated from a university outside the specified Punjab/Board system.
Students should never assume that migration is automatically required or automatically unnecessary.
Migration Certificate for Intermediate Students
Intermediate-level students may need migration documentation when changing Boards or educational institutions under circumstances covered by the relevant Board's migration rules.
The requirements may include an application, academic record, leaving certificate, institutional verification, and fee.
The relevant Board should be contacted before submitting the application.
Migration Certificate for Matric Students
Matric-level migration can also be possible when a student changes Boards or institutions under the relevant regulations.
The process and eligibility depend on the Board.
Students should check whether the migration is allowed at the particular stage of the academic year and whether institutional consent is required.
Migration Certificate for University Students
University students should check the migration policy of both the current and receiving university.
University migration can involve conditions relating to:
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Completed semesters
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Minimum academic performance
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Credit hours
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Course equivalence
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Available seats
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NOC
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Clearance
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Department approval
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Migration fee
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Maximum allowable transfer credits
These requirements are institution-specific.
Migration Certificate for Foreign Study
A Migration Certificate may sometimes appear among documents requested by an educational institution or authority when a Pakistani student moves into another education system.
However, international universities and visa authorities may ask for different academic documents.
Students should not assume that a Pakistani Board migration certificate automatically replaces transcripts, certificates, verification, or other required educational documents.
If a foreign institution specifically requests a Migration Certificate, the student should obtain the document from the appropriate Pakistani authority and check whether further verification or attestation is required.
Does HEC Issue Migration Certificates?
HEC should not be treated as the general issuing authority for every Migration Certificate in Pakistan.
Migration is normally handled by the relevant Board or University according to the student's educational situation.
HEC's current online services include degree attestation and foreign degree recognition/equivalence, which are different services from an ordinary educational migration certificate.
Students should therefore identify the correct issuing authority before applying.
How Much Does a Migration Certificate Cost?
There is no single nationwide migration fee.
The fee is determined by the relevant Board or University.
The amount can vary according to:
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Educational level
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Board or University
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Normal or urgent processing
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Type of migration
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Current fee schedule
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Additional services
Students should always check the latest official fee schedule before payment.
How Long Does a Migration Certificate Take?
Processing time depends on the issuing authority and the type of application.
Online systems can reduce administrative delays, but verification may still be required.
FBISE's current online system states that the certificate is emailed after fee verification.
Students should apply early if the Migration Certificate is required for admission.
What If the Migration Certificate Is Lost?
If a Migration Certificate is lost, the student should contact the issuing Board or University and ask about the duplicate-certificate procedure.
The authority may require:
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Written application
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Identification document
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Academic record
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Copy of the original certificate if available
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Affidavit
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Prescribed fee
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Other supporting documents
Duplicate procedures vary by authority.
BISE Peshawar, for example, publishes separate requirements for duplicate migration in specified circumstances.
Can a Migration Certificate Be Cancelled or Replaced?
If the student no longer intends to migrate or needs to migrate to a different institution, the applicable authority's rules should be checked.
A migration certificate may identify a particular receiving Board, University, or institution.
For this reason, students should not apply casually without confirming where they intend to continue their education.
Some authorities may have specific rules for re-issuance, correction, cancellation, or duplicate certificates.
Common Reasons for Migration Applications Being Delayed
Applications can be delayed because of:
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Incorrect registration number
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Incorrect roll number
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Missing academic documents
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Missing leaving certificate
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Unpaid fee
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Incorrect challan information
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Missing institutional verification
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Incomplete application
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Incorrect personal information
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Migration not permitted under current rules
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Missing NOC
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Academic record not yet verified
Students should carefully review the application before submission.
How to Avoid Problems
Use only the official website of the relevant Board or University.
Do not rely on old social-media posts for current fees or requirements.
Enter the student's name exactly as it appears on official academic records.
Use the correct registration and roll numbers.
Upload clear documents.
Keep payment evidence.
Save the submitted application.
Keep a copy of the issued certificate.
If the receiving institution has given a deadline, apply well before that deadline.
Verify the Receiving Institution
Before applying for migration, students should confirm that the institution they plan to join is properly recognized where applicable.
HEC maintains an official list of recognized university campuses and degree-awarding institutions.
This is particularly important for students moving to a university or degree-awarding institution.
Final Checklist
Before applying, confirm:
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The receiving institution requires migration.
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You know which authority issues the certificate.
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Your registration number is correct.
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Your roll number is correct.
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Your latest academic record is available.
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Your leaving or transfer certificate is available if required.
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Institutional verification has been completed if required.
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You know the current migration fee.
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You know the payment method.
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You have checked the deadline.
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You have submitted all required information.
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You have saved your application details.
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You have kept proof of payment.
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You know how the certificate will be delivered.
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You will verify the certificate after receiving it.
Conclusion
Applying for a Migration Certificate in Pakistan is not governed by one identical procedure for every student. The process depends on whether the student is migrating between Boards, colleges, universities, or other educational authorities.
The safest approach is to first confirm the requirement with the receiving institution and then apply through the official Board or University responsible for the student's academic record.
Students should prepare their academic documents, complete any required institutional formalities, pay the current prescribed fee, and submit the application using the official procedure.
Because migration rules, fees, deadlines, and online services can change, applicants should always verify the latest information directly from their relevant Board or University before submitting an application.
Guide Information
Eligibility
Eligibility depends on the type of migration and the rules of the relevant Board or University. Students may qualify when transferring between educational Boards, institutions, colleges, or universities where formal migration is required. The receiving institution and issuing authority may impose additional conditions such as institutional consent, academic records, NOC, clearance, or other requirements.
Required Documents
1. Migration application or online application details.
2. CNIC or B-Form where required.
3. Registration number.
4. Roll number where applicable.
5. Latest DMC or result card.
6. Relevant academic certificate where required.
7. Leaving Certificate where required.
8. Transfer Certificate where required.
9. Institutional verification or attestation where applicable.
10. Admission or acceptance evidence from the receiving institution where required.
11. Challan or fee-payment evidence.
12. Photograph where required.
13. NOC where applicable.
14. Affidavit for duplicate or special cases where required.
15. Any additional document specified by the relevant Board or University.
Fees
There is no single nationwide fee for a Migration Certificate in Pakistan. The fee is set by the relevant Board or University and may vary according to the type of migration, educational level, normal or urgent processing, and current fee schedule. Applicants should verify the latest official fee before payment.
Processing Time
Processing time varies by Board, University, application type, document verification, payment verification, and delivery method. Some authorities provide online processing and electronic delivery. Applicants should apply early when a Migration Certificate is required for an admission deadline.WHEN TO APPLY:Apply as soon as the receiving institution confirms that a Migration Certificate is required. Ideally, begin the process before the admission or registration deadline so there is sufficient time for document verification, corrections, payment confirmation, and certificate delivery.
Application Method
The application method depends on the relevant Boa
Validity Period
A Migration Certificate does not have one universal validity period across Pakistan. Its use depends
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine whether you actually need a Migration Certificate.
- Ask the receiving institution whether migration is mandatory.
- Identify whether the migration is Board-to-Board.
- Determine whether it is Board-to-University.
- Determine whether it is college-to-college.
- Determine whether it is university-to-university.
- Identify your current educational authority.
- Identify the authority that issues your migration certificate.
- Visit the official website of that authority.
- Read the latest migration instructions.
- Check the eligibility conditions.
- Check whether institutional permission is required.
- Check whether an NOC is required.
- Check whether a Leaving Certificate is required.
- Check whether a Transfer Certificate is required.
- Keep your registration number ready.
- Keep your roll number ready.
- Keep your latest DMC or result card ready.
- Keep your academic certificate ready if required.
- Prepare your CNIC or B-Form where required.
- Obtain the required institutional verification.
- Obtain the Leaving Certificate if required.
- Obtain any required NOC.
- Create an account on the official portal if required.
- Enter your registration information.
- Enter your academic information.
- Select the appropriate migration reference.
- Upload the required documents.
- Check every uploaded document for clarity.
- Generate the official challan where applicable.
- Verify the challan information.
- Pay the prescribed migration fee.
- Enter the payment or challan number if required.
- Review the complete application.
- Correct any errors before submission.
- Submit the migration application.
- Save the application or tracking number.
- Keep the fee-payment receipt.
- Monitor the official application status.
- Respond to any deficiency or correction request.
- Wait for verification by the relevant authority.
- Receive the Migration Certificate through the specified delivery method.
- Check your name and personal information.
- Check the academic details.
- Check the receiving Board or institution details.
- Check the certificate number and date where applicable.
- Report any error to the issuing authority.
- Make a secure copy of the certificate.
- Submit the certificate to the receiving institution if required.
- Keep the original certificate safely for future academic records.
Official Information
Official Website: https://eservices.hec.gov.pk/Applicants must use the official website of their own Board or University because migration requirements vary between authorities.
Contact: Applicants should contact the official examination, migration, student affairs, registrar, or admissions office of the relevant Board or University. For example, FBISE publishes dedicated migration contact information on its official online migration service.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an official educational document used when a student migrates between educational Boards, institutions, or universities where formal migration documentation is required.
Students may need it when changing Boards, moving to another educational authority, or joining an institution that specifically requires migration documentation.
No. It depends on the previous educational authority, receiving institution, program, and applicable migration rules.
The relevant educational Board or University generally issues the certificate according to the student's educational situation.
Some Boards provide online migration services. FBISE, for example, currently provides an online Migration Certificate application system.
FBISE's current online process requires the applicant to enter the registration number, select the relevant reference, generate or enter the challan, and submit the application.
FBISE's current online migration application includes a Leaving Certificate upload for regular students.
Board-to-Board migration can be possible where the relevant Board rules allow it and the required formalities are completed.
Yes, migration documentation may be required when moving from a Board-based qualification to a university, depending on the university's admission rules.
Requirements vary. BISE Peshawar, for example, lists an attested migration application, prescribed fee, and specified academic documents for Board-to-University migration.
No. A Leaving Certificate generally confirms that a student has left an institution, while a Migration Certificate relates to formal migration between educational authorities or institutions.
No. A Transfer Certificate generally concerns transfer from one institution to another, while a Migration Certificate concerns migration under the applicable educational authority's rules.
No. A Character Certificate relates to conduct or character, while a Migration Certificate relates to educational migration.
Some authorities require CNIC or B-Form information. The exact requirement depends on the issuing authority.
Some educational authorities accept B-Form for students who do not yet have a CNIC, subject to their rules.
A latest DMC or result card may be required, depending on the Board or University and type of migration.
Some migration procedures require an original certificate or other original academic record, while others may use verified copies or online records.
Some migration procedures require verification or attestation from the last attended institution.
An NOC may be required in some migration situations, especially for certain university or institutional transfers. The receiving and current institutions should be consulted.
There is no single nationwide fee. The relevant Board or University sets its own migration fee.
Yes. Fees can change according to the current schedule of the issuing authority.
Processing time varies by authority, application type, verification requirements, and delivery method.
Some authorities may offer urgent or expedited services, but availability and charges depend on the authority's current rules.
Some authorities provide electronic delivery. FBISE currently states that the Migration Certificate is emailed after fee verification.
Incorrect information can delay processing or require correction. Applicants should carefully verify the application before submission.
Correct the information before submission if possible. If the application has already been submitted, contact the relevant authority for correction instructions.
Contact the issuing Board or University and ask for its duplicate migration certificate procedure. Additional documents, an affidavit, and a prescribed fee may be required depending on the authority.
Many authorities have procedures for duplicate certificates, but the conditions vary.
Cancellation or replacement depends on the rules of the issuing authority and the circumstances of the student's migration.
This depends on the issuing authority's rules. Students should contact the authority before applying for a new or revised certificate.
Some universities require them in specific cases, while others do not. The admission regulations of the receiving university should be checked.
Its published admission regulations state that a migration certificate may be required in specified circumstances for applicants from other universities or educational systems.
HEC is not the general issuing authority for ordinary educational Migration Certificates. Relevant Boards and Universities normally handle migration according to their rules.
No. HEC degree attestation is a separate service involving verification and attestation of higher-education documents.
Not automatically. Whether attestation is required depends on the purpose and the receiving organization.
It may be requested in some circumstances, but foreign institutions can require additional academic documents such as transcripts, certificates, verification, or other evidence.
No. A Migration Certificate and academic transcript serve different purposes.
No. They are separate documents and may both be required.
This depends on the migration authority's rules. Some procedures may require evidence of the receiving institution or purpose of migration.
Yes. Confirming the requirement before applying helps prevent unnecessary fees, delays, or obtaining the wrong document.
University-to-university migration can be possible under the policies of the universities involved. Conditions can include credits, academic performance, available seats, and departmental approval.
No. Each university can have its own migration regulations within the applicable higher-education framework.
Check the official HEC list of recognized universities and campuses where applicable.
Check all information carefully, keep a secure copy, and submit it to the receiving institution if required.
Use only the official website or office of the relevant Board or University and follow its latest published instructions.