General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Law No. (9) of 2021 Concerning the Prohibition of Using Scientific Certificates Issued by Unlicensed Entities

Article (1) Definitions State : In application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires:: United Arab Emirates. Ministry : Ministry of Education. Minister : Minister of Education. Scientific Certificates : Official document proving that the person passed a specific academic study or stage, or to prove that such person acquired a scientific, professional or craftsmen qualification and such document is issued by an educational or training entity inside or

-- 1 of 5 --

Federal Law No. (9) of 2021 Concerning the Prohibition of Using Scientific Certificates Issued by Unlicensed Entities 2 outside the State, duly exists and is licensed to carry out such activity allowing the entity to give this certificate. Scientific certificate issued by unlicensed entity : A document issued by an educational or training entity that does not have a legal existence inside or outside the State, or issued by an entity that is not licensed to issue such certificate. Competent Authority : Ministry of Education and any other authority determined by the Executive Regulation. Employers of the State : Any governmental or non-governmental employer, whatever its nature or competency at any zone of the State, including free zones.

Article (6) Penalties a. The application of the penalties stipulated in this Law shall not in prejudice of any more severe penalty provided by any other law. b. Whoever commits by mistake any of the following actions shall be punished with imprisonment for a period that is not more than three months and a fine that is not more than (AED 30.000) thirty thousand Dirhams, or one of these two punishments: 1. If he submits a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed entity in order to obtain the approval of the competent authority subject to article (4) of this Law. 2. If he submits a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed entity to get any job or to be temporarily or permanently hired at any employer in the State. 3. If he publishes a scientific certificate issued by a licensed entity at any publication means. c. The penalty, stipulated in Clause (b) of this Article, shall be doubled in case the person attempts to get work, obtain a material or moral benefit due to this certificate. D. Whoever commits deliberately any of the following actions shall be punished with imprisonment for a period that is not more than a year and a fine that is not more than (AED 500.000) fifty thousand Dirhams, or one of these two penalties: 1. If he submits a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed entity in order to obtain the approval of the competent authority subject to article (4) of this Law.

-- 3 of 5 --

Federal Law No. (9) of 2021 Concerning the Prohibition of Using Scientific Certificates Issued by Unlicensed Entities 4 2. If he submits a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed entity to get any job or to be temporarily or permanently hired at any employer in the State. 3. If he publishes a scientific certificate issued by a licensed entity at any publication means. 4. If he obtains, by virtue of a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed entity, an academic title or any other moral benefit. e. Any employee working for any employer in the State accepts a scientific certificate issued by an unlicensed certificate within any transaction relevant to such employer, while he recognises the fact of such certificate, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period that is not more than two years and a fine that is not less than (AED 100.000) a hundred thousand Dirhams and not exceeding (AED 1.000.000) one million Dirhams, or by one of these two penalties: F. Whoever commits deliberately any of the following actions shall be punished with imprisonment for a period that is not more than two years and a fine that is not less than (AED 500.000) fifty thousand Dirhams and is not exceeding (AED 1.000.000) one million Dirhams, or one of these two penalties: 1. If he issues or participates by any means in issuing a scientific certificate from an unlicensed entity to do so. 2. If he announces or promotes for any unlicensed entity that issues such certificates inside or outside the State.