HEC’s Degree Attestation System Goes Online: A New Era of Paperless Verification Begins

A great decision set to benefit millions of students and graduates across Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has officially transitioned its entire degree attestation process to a fully online, paperless system. The new digital framework, which came into nationwide effect on May 11, 2026, eliminates the long-standing requirement for physical visits to HEC offices, offering a seamless, transparent, and round-the-clock service.

A Revolutionary Shift by HEC Leadership

The announcement was made by HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, who described the initiative as a revolutionary step aimed at facilitating students and graduates. Under the previous system, applicants often faced weeks of delays, travel costs, and administrative hurdles to get their educational documents attested. Now, with the HEC degree attestation system online , the entire workflow from application submission to final verification can be completed from anywhere in the country.

“We have removed the condition requiring students to carry original educational certificates for physical inspection. The process has now been shifted to complete digital verification,” Chairman Akhtar stated. “Our goal is to provide relief, speed, and integrity to the attestation mechanism.”

How the New HEC Portal Works

The cornerstone of this transformation is the newly upgraded HEC portal , a centralized digital gateway designed for both current students and graduates. The HEC degree attestation portal serves as a single-window interface where users can submit requests, upload scanned copies of their degrees, track application status in real-time, and receive digitally attested documents all without printing a single sheet of paper.

To access these services, users must perform a HEC degree attestation login using their existing HEC credentials or register for a new account. The HEC login process has been streamlined to support biometric verification and two-factor authentication, ensuring that only legitimate applicants can proceed. Once logged in, applicants can initiate a new attestation request, select the type of degree, and proceed to the payment stage.

Understanding the HEC Degree Attestation Fee

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding the new system concerns the HEC degree attestation fee . According to the official notification, the fee structure remains transparent and competitive, with digital processing adding no extra burden on students. Applicants can pay the required fee online through credit/debit cards, bank transfers, or mobile wallets such as JazzCash and EasyPaisa. A digital receipt is generated instantly upon successful payment, which is automatically attached to the application for audit purposes.

The HEC degree verification process has also been integrated into the same portal. Employers, foreign universities, and other institutions can now validate the authenticity of an attested degree in real-time by using the unique tracking ID provided on each digitally attested document. This makes the system not only faster but also far more resistant to forgery compared to manual stamp-and-sign methods.

Key Features of the E-Attestation System

Officials from HEC’s Digital Transformation Unit highlighted several groundbreaking features of the new system:

• 24/7 Availability: The attestation service is accessible at any hour, from any location with an internet connection, removing all time and geographical constraints.

• No Original Documents Required: Applicants no longer need to carry or courier their original educational certificates for physical checking, reducing the risk of loss or damage.

• End-to-End Digital Verification: Every step from document upload to database cross-matching and final attestation is performed electronically against HEC’s central repository of verified degrees.

• Tamper-Proof Digital Seals: Attested degrees receive a cryptographically signed digital seal and a QR code, allowing instant HEC degree verification by any third party.

• Real-Time Status Updates: Applicants receive SMS and email notifications at every milestone: submission, fee confirmation, under review, and completion.

A Nationwide Impact

The launch of the e-attestation system is expected to reduce processing times from several weeks to just a few working days. For students living in remote areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and interior Sindh, this digital shift eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming trips to HEC regional centers in major cities. Graduates applying for foreign jobs or higher education can now obtain attested documents without leaving their hometowns.

Universities across Pakistan have also welcomed the move, noting that the automated HEC degree verification process will streamline admissions and job placements. “This is what digital Pakistan looks like in practice,” said an education policy expert based in Lahore. “The HEC has set a benchmark for other public sector institutions.”

What Applicants Need to Do

To use the new system, applicants should visit the official HEC website and navigate to the HEC degree attestation portal . After performing a HEC degree attestation login (using either their existing account or a new registration), they can select “New Attestation Request,” upload clear scanned copies of their degree and transcript, pay the HEC degree attestation fee online, and submit. The system will automatically cross-verify the data with the degree-awarding university’s records. Once approved, the digitally attested document is made available for download.

For those who forget their password, the HEC login page includes a self-service recovery option. Technical support is available via a dedicated helpline and live chat feature within the HEC portal .

Looking Ahead

With the full implementation of the HEC degree attestation system online as of May 11, 2026, Pakistan joins a growing list of countries offering fully digital educational document verification. The HEC chairman confirmed that the commission is now working on integrating the system with international credential evaluation services, further easing the recognition of Pakistani degrees abroad.

“This is a game-changer for our students and graduates,” Chairman Akhtar concluded. “We have listened to their difficulties, and we have delivered a solution that is modern, secure, and accessible to all.”

For more information, users are encouraged to visit the official HEC website and log in to the new HEC degree attestation portal today.