Equivalence Certificate 2026: HEC & IBCC Process

Government jobs need Pakistani-equivalent qualifications, so holders of foreign degrees and O/A levels get an equivalence certificate before they apply.

Two bodies issue it: IBCC for school-level qualifications such as O/A levels, and HEC for foreign degrees. The right body depends on the qualification, not on where you live.

Apply only through equivalence.ibcc.edu.pk or eservices.hec.gov.pk. No agent can issue an equivalence certificate. Never pay anyone except the official fee.

Equivalence vs Attestation in Pakistan#

Equivalence and attestation are two different processes, and government offices ask for the right one.

HEC does not attest foreign degrees. It issues an equivalence letter for the foreign degree, and only that letter can then be attested by HEC, for Rs 3,000 per document.

The HEC degree attestation guide covers attestation of Pakistani degrees, and the IBCC attestation guide covers attestation of school certificates.

IBCC Equivalence for O/A Levels and Foreign School Certificates in Pakistan#

IBCC, the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen, is the only authority in Pakistan that issues equivalence certificates for foreign school qualifications.

It converts Cambridge, Edexcel, IB, US high school diplomas and other international qualifications into Pakistani SSC (Matric) or HSSC (FSc/FA) equivalents, covering more than 150 boards.

You need two separate certificates: O-Level equivalence for Matric/SSC and A-Level equivalence for Intermediate/HSSC. Each is applied for and paid for separately, and you must have the O-Level equivalence before applying for the A-Level one.

O-Level rules: if you took O Levels in Pakistan, you need eight subjects, including the five compulsory ones (English, Urdu, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies, Mathematics) and three electives, each at minimum grade E.

If you took them overseas, you need five subjects including English and Mathematics plus three electives, minimum grade E.

A-Level rules: three subjects for the group you choose. Pre-Medical is Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Pre-Engineering is Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Humanities is any three electives. Each subject needs minimum grade E.

1. Register and log in on the IBCC Equivalence portal at equivalence.ibcc.edu.pk.
2. Fill in the online application with your personal details and academic record.
3. Upload your certificates and CNIC copy, and pay the fee by 1Bill or by challan at any UBL branch.
4. Send the signed application form, payment receipt, original and photocopied certificates and a CNIC photocopy to IBCC Head Office, Plot No. 25, Street No 38, Sector G-10/4, Islamabad 44000. Walk-in submission is also available.
5. Track your application from the portal dashboard.

Documents IBCC asks for:

• Application form: the completed equivalence application form.
• Certificates: original plus photocopy of your qualification certificates.
• Transcripts: official transcripts covering Grades 9 to 12. Originals are returned, transcripts are kept on record.
• CNIC or B-Form: your CNIC, or B-Form if you are under 18, plus a copy of a parent’s CNIC.
• Attested GCE copy: an attested photocopy of the GCE certificate, attested by a Grade 17 or above government officer.
• Abroad students: an attested passport copy with visa and entry/exit stamps, if you studied abroad.
• Recognition proof: proof that the awarding institution is officially recognised.

A Statement of Results is valid for six months only for equivalence. After that, you must submit the original certificate instead.

IBCC fees: Rs 6,000 per certificate for foreign qualifications, Rs 4,000 per certificate for local qualifications, and Rs 12,000 per certificate for urgent service, which is available for O/A Levels only.

Return courier is Rs 300, and overseas delivery is USD 100 per certificate. The fee is non-refundable once deposited.

HEC Equivalence for Foreign Degrees in Pakistan#

HEC equivalence is the official process that validates a foreign degree as equal to a corresponding level of education in Pakistan, for example a foreign Master’s recognised as a 16-year or 18-year equivalent.

Apply online on the HEC e-services portal at eservices.hec.gov.pk. The process is paperless, so you do not post or carry documents to any office.

1. Create an account on eservices.hec.gov.pk using your CNIC.
2. Open Equivalence Services and choose Foreign Degree Recognition/Equivalence.
3. Fill in the five sections of the form with your degree and academic details.
4. Upload clear scans of your degree, transcript and earlier qualifications.
5. Submit the form, then pay Rs 5,000 per degree through 1Link from any mobile banking app.

The fee is Rs 5,000 for each foreign degree, diploma or certificate. It is non-refundable, and it does not cover any verification fee your foreign university charges.

Documents depend on your degree level. Every application needs the degree and transcript you want assessed.

• Earlier qualifications: for a Bachelor’s degree, add your intermediate or grade 12 certificate and your matric or grade 10 certificate.
• Passport and visa: showing entry and exit stamps for your stay abroad, to prove you were physically present during your studies.
• IBCC-attested school certificates: your Pakistani Matric/O-Level and Inter/A-Level certificates already attested by IBCC.
• Translation: if a document is in another language, attach an English translation.
• Embassy attestation: it is recommended to have your original degree and transcripts attested by the Pakistan Embassy in the country where you studied before returning to Pakistan.

HEC issues the equivalence letter only after your foreign university confirms the degree directly to HEC.

Equivalence Certificate Processing Time and Tracking in Pakistan#

IBCC processing takes 15 to 20 working days. Non-UK qualifications can take longer, because the issuing institution must verify them first. Track an IBCC application from the dashboard on the equivalence portal.

HEC does not publish a fixed processing time for foreign degree equivalence. The letter is issued only after your foreign university confirms the degree directly to HEC, so apply early and keep your documents complete.

Using an Equivalence Certificate for a Government Job in Pakistan#

Government jobs reject foreign or O/A-level qualifications without an equivalence certificate. Attach the IBCC certificate or the HEC equivalence letter with your application, in the same way you attach your other documents.

Get the equivalence before the job advertisement closes, because neither body issues it on the spot. The attestation of documents guide covers the attestation steps that come after equivalence.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Who needs an equivalence certificate? Anyone with a foreign degree or a foreign school qualification such as O/A levels who wants to study further or apply for a government job in Pakistan. Without it, the qualification has no recognised Pakistani equivalent.

Is IBCC equivalence needed for O/A levels? Yes. O-Level holders need an IBCC equivalence certificate for Matric/SSC, and A-Level holders need a second one for Intermediate/HSSC, before they can apply to Pakistani universities or for government jobs.

You must have the O-Level equivalence before applying for the A-Level one.

How long does HEC equivalence take? HEC does not publish a fixed processing time. The equivalence letter is issued only after your foreign university confirms the degree directly to HEC, so the wait depends on that confirmation. Apply early.

Is equivalence the same as attestation? No. Equivalence judges how a foreign qualification compares with a Pakistani one, and is issued by HEC for foreign degrees and IBCC for foreign school certificates.

Attestation confirms a Pakistani degree or certificate is genuine. A foreign degree is never attested by HEC; only its equivalence letter can be attested.