HEC degree attestation is the official confirmation by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission that your university degree is genuine. Since May 2026, HEC issues attestation as a digital e-Attestation Certificate through a fully online system — you no longer need to visit an HEC office or hand over physical originals.
If you need your degree for a job, a visa, or further study abroad, HEC attestation is almost always the first step. No embassy or foreign office will accept a Pakistani degree without it.
How HEC Degree Attestation Works in 2026
- Create an account on the HEC e-Services portal at eservices.hec.gov.pk using your CNIC and a valid email address. All status updates and your final certificate arrive through this account.
- Complete your profile. Enter your personal details and your full education history from Matric onwards. Enter every field exactly as it appears on your documents — degree title, university name, session, roll number and graduation year. Small mismatches are the most common reason applications get returned.
- Upload clear scans of your documents. Use proper scans in PDF or JPEG format. Blurry, cropped or angled phone photos get rejected.
- Pay the fee of Rs. 3,000 per document through the 1-Link system. Your application stays in pending payment until the fee is verified.
- University verification. HEC forwards your record to your degree-issuing university for electronic verification. This step takes most of the processing time.
- HEC review and e-certificate. Once the university confirms, HEC completes its own review and issues your e-Attestation Certificate. You get an SMS and email notification, then download the certificate from your portal account.
Documents You Need
- CNIC — clear scan of both sides
- The degree or diploma you want attested — clear, legible scan
- Transcript for each qualification you want attested
- Provisional certificate, if you want it attested
- Passport-size photo on a plain blue or white background
- HEC equivalence certificate, if you hold one
- HEC NOC for MS / MPhil programmes launched after 7 November 2013
- PMDC / PNMC registration card for medical and nursing degrees
Fee and Processing Time
- Fee: Rs. 3,000 per document (degree, transcript, provisional certificate or equivalence letter), paid online through 1-Link.
- Processing time: roughly 10–15 working days in total — most of it is university verification, plus a few days for HEC review.
- Fees and timelines can change. Always confirm the current fee on the HEC portal before you apply.
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
- Name, degree title or session spelled differently from your documents.
- Uploading blurry or cropped scans instead of proper scans.
- Forgetting that each document (degree, transcript) is charged separately.
- Applying with an email address you do not check — all updates come by email and SMS.
- Expecting same-day attestation. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before any deadline.
- After HEC, remember the next steps if you need the degree abroad: MOFA attestation, then embassy legalisation or apostille.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attest my transcript?
Yes. Transcripts are attested through the same online system at the same Rs. 3,000 per-document fee.
Do I need to visit an HEC office?
No. Under the current system the whole process is online and no visit is required.
What is the difference between verification and attestation?
Verification is the background check HEC runs with your university. Attestation is the official certificate issued once that check is complete.
Can I submit documents by courier?
No. Applications, uploads and payments all happen through the online portal.
Official Sources
- HEC e-Services portal: eservices.hec.gov.pk
- HEC degree verification status: hec.gov.pk/site/verification
Facts last verified: 14 October 2026. Fees and procedures can change — confirm the current details on the HEC portal before applying.