How to Apply for HEC Degree Attestation?

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan provides degree attestation services for graduates who need their higher education documents officially attested for employment, further education, immigration, international admissions, professional purposes, or other official requirements.

HEC has introduced an online and paperless Degree Attestation System through its e-services portal. Applicants can submit their information, upload documents, pay the applicable attestation fee, and track their application online. The process involves application submission, HEC scrutiny, verification of academic credentials by the relevant university or higher education institution, and issuance of an e-Attestation Certificate when the requirements are successfully completed.

What Is HEC Degree Attestation?

HEC degree attestation is the official authentication of higher education documents issued by recognized Pakistani universities and degree-awarding institutions.

The service may cover documents such as degrees, transcripts, provisional certificates issued by the university's examination office, and HEC equivalence letters, depending on the applicant's requirements and eligibility.

HEC attestation may be required when a graduate is applying for an overseas university, employment abroad, immigration-related documentation, professional registration, or other official purposes where verification of academic qualifications is required.

HEC Online Degree Attestation System

HEC's current system allows applicants to initiate the degree attestation process through the official e-services portal.

Applicants create or access their account, select Degree Attestation, provide personal and academic information, select the documents they want attested, upload the required scans, verify their information, and complete the payment process.

After payment verification and submission, HEC reviews the application. If the application contains deficiencies, HEC can return it to the applicant with remarks through the online system. The applicant can then address the identified issue and resubmit the application for further scrutiny.

What Documents Can HEC Attest?

Depending on the case and applicable requirements, the online system provides options for:

• Degree

• Transcript or Result Card

• Provisional Certificate issued by the university's examination office

• HEC Equivalence Letter

Applicants should select only the documents they actually require for attestation. HEC's current online instructions state that the system calculates the fee according to the selected documents.

Why Do Students Need HEC Degree Attestation?

HEC degree attestation can be useful for several purposes, including:

• Overseas education

• Foreign university applications

• International employment

• Immigration and visa-related documentation

• Professional registration

• Academic verification

• International credential evaluation

• Official submission to foreign organizations

• Other situations where authenticated academic documents are required

The exact requirements of the receiving university, employer, immigration authority, or organization should always be checked separately.

Important Difference Between HEC Attestation and Equivalence

HEC attestation and equivalence are not the same service.

HEC states that degrees awarded by foreign universities or degree-awarding institutions are not directly attested by HEC. Instead, HEC issues equivalence letters for foreign qualifications, and such HEC-issued equivalence letters can then be attested through the HEC system.

Therefore, applicants with foreign qualifications should first determine whether they require an HEC equivalence certificate before applying for attestation.

Academic Information Must Match

Applicants should carefully enter their academic information exactly as it appears on their educational documents.

HEC specifically advises applicants to pay attention to information such as:

• Name

• Father's name

• Date of birth

• Degree title

• Registration, seat, or student ID number

• Campus or college

• CGPA or marks

• Other academic details

The information on the academic documents should also correspond with the applicant's CNIC or passport information.

Documents With Errors or Alterations

HEC does not normally attest documents containing overwriting, erasures, or alterations.

Applicants with such documents may need to contact their university or degree-awarding institution for corrected or revised documents before proceeding with attestation.

HEC's requirements also state that documents containing omissions, overwriting, or erasing are not accepted for normal attestation.

Transcripts Without a Final Degree

A transcript can be eligible for attestation even if the final degree has not yet been issued.

HEC's current guidance states that complete or incomplete transcripts may be attested, provided that the university clearly indicates the academic status in cases of incomplete studies and the applicant selects the appropriate option during the online application.

Professional Degrees

Applicants holding professional degrees such as medical or nursing qualifications may need to provide registration or professional accreditation documents from the relevant professional body.

HEC specifically advises applicants in Medical or Nursing fields to upload the relevant professional registration card or certificate under the Other Documents section when applying for degree attestation.

MS, MPhil and Equivalent Qualifications

For MS/MPhil or equivalent programs launched after 7 November 2013, HEC states that an HEC-issued NOC is mandatory for attestation.

Applicants should therefore ensure that the required NOC is available before submitting the application.

PhD Degree Attestation

Applicants applying for PhD degree attestation should pay particular attention to the HEC requirements.

HEC states that the applicant's name must appear in the PhD Country Directory (PCD) for PhD cases.

Online Scrutiny and University Verification

After an application is submitted, HEC performs an initial review.

The review can include checking personal information, academic documents, consistency of information, university and campus details, and other applicable requirements.

If the application is complete, the relevant university or higher education institution may be contacted for verification of the academic credentials against its official records.

The university communicates its verification decision to HEC. HEC then conducts its final review before issuing the e-Attestation Certificate if the requirements are fulfilled.

HEC e-Attestation Certificate

Once the application successfully completes the required scrutiny and verification process, HEC issues an e-Attestation Certificate.

Applicants are notified through the system and may also receive SMS and email notifications. The certificate can be downloaded from the applicant's HEC online account.

HEC Attestation for Applicants in Pakistan

Applicants residing in Pakistan can use the applicable HEC online process and designated courier arrangements where required.

HEC currently identifies TCS as its designated courier company for domestic applicants using courier-based attestation services.

Applicants using courier service need to follow the HEC instructions regarding payment, application form, and submission of documents.

HEC Attestation for Applicants Living Abroad

Applicants living outside Pakistan have a separate courier arrangement.

HEC identifies Gerry's FedEx International, Islamabad, as the designated courier facility for international applicants.

International applicants should follow the current HEC instructions concerning document submission, payment, and return arrangements.

Why Accurate Information Is Important

Applicants are responsible for the information entered in their HEC application.

Incorrect names, academic details, document selections, uploaded files, or other information can result in objections, delays, or the need to revise and resubmit the application.

Applicants should therefore compare every entry with their original academic documents before submitting the application.

Check the HEC Application Dashboard

After applying, applicants should regularly check their HEC e-services dashboard.

The system can display application status, revisions requested, deficiencies, and other instructions.

HEC advises applicants to use the Track Application function and respond to any deficiency or revision request through the relevant section of the online account.

HEC Degree Attestation for Overseas Education

Students planning to study abroad may need HEC-attested educational documents as part of their university admission, credential evaluation, or other official documentation.

The requirements can vary by country and institution. Applicants should therefore determine whether the receiving organization requires:

• Degree attestation

• Transcript attestation

• HEC equivalence

• Sealed documents

• Additional verification

• Another form of credential evaluation

HEC also provides a facility for sealing HEC-attested documents in envelopes when required for organizations such as WES or ICAS, subject to the applicable procedure.

Final Overview

The HEC degree attestation process starts with an online application through the HEC e-services portal. Applicants provide their personal and academic information, select the required documents, upload clear copies, pay the applicable fee, verify payment, and submit the application.

HEC then conducts scrutiny and, where required, obtains verification from the concerned university or higher education institution. If the application satisfies the requirements, HEC issues an e-Attestation Certificate that the applicant can download through the online account.

Applicants should always consult the official HEC Degree Attestation System before applying because fees, procedures, designated courier arrangements, and other requirements may be updated.

Guide Information

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine why you need HEC degree attestation before beginning the application.

2. Confirm whether the receiving organization requires HEC attestation of your degree, transcript, provisional certificate or another document.

3. Check whether your qualification is a Pakistani degree or a foreign qualification requiring HEC equivalence.

4. If you have a foreign degree, determine whether you first need an HEC equivalence letter.

5. Collect your original academic documents before starting the application.

6. Keep your valid CNIC or applicable passport available.

7. Compare the spelling of your name on your CNIC or passport with your academic documents.

8. Check your father's name and date of birth against the information appearing on your academic records.

9. Check the degree title carefully before entering it into the online application.

10. Check your university, campus or affiliated college information.

11. Check your registration, roll, seat or student identification number where applicable.

12. Scan the required documents clearly and make sure the text is readable.

13. Prepare the front and back scans of your CNIC where required.

14. Visit the official HEC e-services portal.

15. Create an HEC e-services account if you are a new applicant.

16. Log in with your registered HEC account if you already have an account.

17. Select the Degree Attestation option from the dashboard.

18. Enter your personal information carefully.

19. Enter your complete academic information as it appears on your documents.

20. Add the relevant degree program and qualification information.

21. Select only the degree program for which attestation is required.

22. Select the type of educational document that you want HEC to attest.

23. Review the available options for degree, transcript, provisional certificate or HEC equivalence letter.

24. Upload a clear copy of your CNIC or passport as applicable.

25. Upload clear scans of the selected academic documents.

26. Upload additional supporting documents under Other Documents when required.

27. Review all uploaded documents before proceeding.

28. Check every spelling, number, date, degree title and university detail.

29. Confirm that the uploaded files are clear and readable.

30. Review the selected attestation documents and document quantity.

31. Check the fee automatically calculated by the HEC system.

32. Click the payment option to generate the applicable Consumer Number.

33. Pay the HEC attestation fee through the available 1-Link/1-Bill payment method.

34. Verify the payment through your HEC account after completing the transaction.

35. Confirm that the application status changes appropriately after successful payment verification.

36. Review the completed application before final submission.

37. Accept the required undertaking after confirming that the information is correct.

38. Submit the online application to HEC.

39. Save your application information and payment details for future reference.

40. Regularly check the Track Application section of your HEC dashboard.

41. Monitor your email and mobile phone for HEC notifications.

42. If HEC identifies a deficiency, open the relevant revision or task notification.

43. Read the HEC remarks carefully to understand what needs to be corrected.

44. Upload the requested document or correct the identified information.

45. Resubmit the application for re-scrutiny after addressing the deficiency.

46. Wait for the relevant university or HEI to verify your academic credentials where verification is required.

47. Monitor your application while the university completes its verification.

48. If using a courier-based service within Pakistan, follow HEC's instructions for submission through the designated courier company.

49. If applying from outside Pakistan through courier, follow the applicable HEC instructions for the designated international courier facility.

50. Keep the courier receipt and other submission records where courier service is used.

51. Upload or provide courier-related information through the HEC system when required.

52. Continue checking the application dashboard until the case reaches final processing.

53. Respond promptly if HEC requests any additional clarification or documentation.

54. Wait for HEC's final review after successful scrutiny and university verification.

55. Receive the notification when the e-Attestation Certificate is issued.

56. Log in to the HEC e-services account after issuance.

57. Download the HEC e-Attestation Certificate.

58. Save a secure digital copy of the certificate for future use.

59. Print the certificate if the receiving organization requires a physical copy.

60. If a sealed envelope is required, follow HEC's separate procedure for placing HEC-attested documents in a sealed envelope.

61. Before submitting the documents abroad, confirm the receiving organization's requirements for attestation and sealed documents.

62. Keep copies of your attested documents and certificates for your own records.