HEC Increases Degree Attestation Fees

A policy shift aimed at digitizing academic credential verification, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a massive increase in the degree attestation fee , raising it from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 . The new fee structure takes immediate effect under the newly launched HEC Online Degree Attestation System, which promises to eliminate physical visits to HEC offices.

The decision, confirmed by HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, marks a transitional phase toward a fully digital and paperless attestation process across Pakistan. While the fee has tripled, officials argue that the overall financial burden on students especially those from remote areas will decrease due to the elimination of travel, accommodation, and courier expenses previously required for manual verification.

Revised Fee Structure and Revenue Sharing Model

Under the HEC Degree Attestation Fee Increase 2026 , applicants will now pay a consolidated fee of Rs. 3,000 per degree. According to Chairman Akhtar, part of the fee collected from applicants will be transferred directly to universities for document verification services. This marks a departure from the previous model, where students had to separately pay universities for verification, often navigating multiple departments and facing delays.

“The new system integrates universities into the digital loop,” Dr. Akhtar explained. “When an application is submitted, the concerned university receives a notification and verifies the degree online. Their service cost is now covered by the share from the increased fee.”

How the HEC Online Degree Attestation System Works

The cornerstone of this reform is the HEC Online Degree Attestation System , which allows students to submit attestation applications digitally without physically visiting HEC regional centers or sending original academic documents via courier services. Previously, students had to present original degrees in person, leading to long queues and processing times stretching several weeks.

Under the new mechanism:

• Applicants register on the HEC attestation portal.

• They upload scanned copies of their degrees and required documents.

• Universities receive real-time alerts for verification.

• Upon successful verification, students receive a digitally verifiable HEC E Attestation Certificate Pakistan .

This Online Degree Attestation Pakistan initiative also introduces QR-code-based verification, allowing employers and foreign universities to instantly authenticate a degree without contacting HEC directly.

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Students

Dr. Akhtar emphasized that while the headline fee has increased, the HEC Digital Attestation Process actually reduces total expenditure for most applicants. “Students earlier had to pay separate university verification fees, photocopying costs, transport to HEC offices, and sometimes overnight accommodation,” he noted. “For someone from Balochistan or northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a single attestation could cost over Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 including travel and lost wages.”

Under the new HEC Degree Verification Fee model, the Rs. 3,000 covers all steps from university verification to digital certificate issuance. Moreover, applicants can complete the entire process from their home computers or mobile phones, receiving their e-attestation certificates within 7–10 working days.

Security and Authentication Features

The shift to HEC E Attestation Certificate Pakistan also addresses document forgery concerns. Each e-attestation includes:

• A unique 16-digit verification code

• A secure QR code linking directly to HEC’s database

• Digital signatures of authorized HEC officers

• Tamper-proof PDF formatting

Foreign universities, professional bodies, and employers can verify the certificate in seconds by scanning the QR code or visiting HEC’s verification portal. This eliminates the need for embassy attestation in many cases, though users are advised to check specific requirements of destination countries.

Implementation Timeline and Challenges

The HEC Online Degree Attestation System is being rolled out in phases. Phase 1 covers all public and private universities in major cities, while Phase 2 (by June 2026) will extend to affiliated colleges and remote campuses. HEC has also established helpdesks at 15 regional offices for applicants facing technical difficulties.

However, the Pakistan Degree Attestation News has received mixed reactions. Some student groups have expressed concern over the upfront fee increase, arguing that not all students have access to reliable internet or digital payment methods. HEC responded by stating that walk-in support remains available at regional centers, though physical attestation will be phased out by late 2026.

Impact on International Students and Job Seekers

For students planning to study abroad or professionals seeking employment in the Gulf, Europe, or North America, the new system offers significant advantages. Previously, obtaining multiple attested copies of a degree required repeated visits to HEC. Under the HEC Digital Attestation Process , students can request additional e-attestation certificates online, each costing Rs. 1,000, with delivery within 48 hours.

“A student applying to five universities abroad would have needed five physical attested copies,” said a senior HEC official. “Now, they receive one master e-attestation and can generate verified copies as needed.”

Future Roadmap

Chairman Akhtar concluded that the HEC Degree Attestation Fee Increase 2026 is not a revenue-generating move but an investment in infrastructure. “We are building a national digital credential ecosystem. By 2027, we aim to integrate with NADRA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for seamless one-window attestation.”

HEC has also announced plans to introduce blockchain-based degree verification by 2028, positioning Online Degree Attestation Pakistan as a regional leader in digital academic authentication.

For now, students and graduates are advised to visit the official HEC attestation portal to register and familiarize themselves with the new digital workflow. HEC has waived late fees for the first two months to encourage adoption.