Gallery Write For Us Internet Speed Test Ptcl Become an Author
Log In / Sign Up

Welcome!

Unlock your personalized experience.
Sign Up
Dark Mode

HEC Equivalence of Foreign Degrees: Online Process, Fee and Documents

Education documents · Checked October 9, 2026 against the official source

Pakistanis who earned a bachelor's, master's or PhD abroad need an HEC equivalence (recognition) letter before the qualification is accepted for jobs, further study or HEC attestation in Pakistan. The process is fully online on the HEC e-Services portal, and the foreign university must confirm your degree directly to HEC.

Where to applyOnline only, through the HEC e-Services portal. HEC states that no hard copies need to be sent to HEC Islamabad or any regional centre.

Step by step

  1. Go to eservices.hec.gov.pk and sign up with an active email address and mobile number, then log in.
  2. Open Equivalence Services and choose Foreign Degree Recognition/Equivalence.
  3. Fill in personal details, details of your degrees and the equivalence details.
  4. Upload the required documents, verify the details and submit the application.
  5. After submission, open "Task Assigned" at the bottom of the main page, pay the fee through 1-Link using any mobile banking app, and verify the payment.
  6. Arrange for your foreign university to confirm the genuineness of your degree directly to HEC by email (fe-degree-verification@hec.gov.pk). Any verification fee the university charges is paid by you directly to the university.
  7. Track the application in your account. Once the equivalence letter is issued you can download it from your application at any time.

Documents you need

  • Degree and transcript for which equivalence is required
  • For a master's or PhD: earlier Pakistani degrees attested by HEC, or HEC equivalence of earlier foreign degrees (bachelor's first)
  • Intermediate/HSSC/FSc/grade 12 certificate, or IBCC equivalence certificate for foreign school qualifications
  • Matric/SSC/grade 10 certificate, or IBCC equivalence certificate for foreign school qualifications
  • Verification of the degree sent by the foreign university directly to HEC

Fees

Equivalence fee per foreign degree/diploma/certificate (non-refundable)PKR 5,000
Duplicate equivalence letter, foreign degree (if lost)PKR 500
Apply on the official portal Official information

Frequently asked questions

Does the Rs. 5,000 fee include the foreign university's verification charge?

No. Rs. 5,000 is HEC's processing fee for each degree, diploma or certificate. If your foreign university charges a fee to verify your degree to HEC, you pay that separately and directly to the university.

Will the equivalence letter show my CGPA or grades?

No. HEC's equivalence letter determines only the level of education your foreign qualification matches in Pakistan. It does not convert or state your grades.

Does HEC recognise an incomplete foreign degree?

No. HEC does not grant equivalence for incomplete qualifications. If you want to continue studies in Pakistan, you can request a free University Recognition Status letter by applying to DG (A&A), HEC H-9 Islamabad, with proof of your foreign study.

How do I check whether a foreign university is recognised before I enrol?

HEC advises checking the institution on the World Higher Education Database (whed.net) and making sure it is recognised by the government of its own country. Online or distance-learning degrees are subject to a separate HEC notification, so check that too.

Fees and procedures change. This guide summarises the official information; confirm on the official page before you pay or apply. Never pay agents who claim to "speed up" official attestation.

Going abroad?

More guides