HEC raises degree attestation fee to Rs. 3,000 as Pakistan shifts students to a fully online, paperless e-attestation system.
Key Takeaways
- HEC has increased the degree attestation fee from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000.
- The new process is part of a fully online and paperless attestation system.
- Students no longer need to visit HEC offices or send original documents by courier.
- Part of the fee will go to universities for verification services.
- HEC says the new system will reduce travel, accommodation, and extra verification costs.
HEC Moves Degree Attestation Fully Online
The Higher Education Commission has raised the degree attestation fee from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 as it shifts Pakistan’s degree verification process to a fully digital model. The change is linked to HEC’s newly launched online attestation system, which is designed to reduce physical paperwork and make the process easier for students and graduates across the country.
Under the revised system, applicants can submit their attestation requests digitally instead of visiting HEC offices in person. The commission says the new mechanism will also remove the need to send original academic documents through courier services, a step that often created stress for students living outside major cities.
Why the Attestation Fee Has Increased
HEC Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar confirmed that the attestation fee has been revised to Rs. 3,000. He said part of the amount collected from applicants will be transferred to universities because they will play a direct role in document verification under the new system.
This means the higher fee is not only being charged for HEC’s own processing work. It is also meant to cover the verification support provided by universities. For applicants, the upfront cost has clearly increased, but HEC argues that the complete online process may reduce several other expenses that students previously had to bear separately.
What Students Can Do Under the New System
The new online degree attestation system allows students and graduates to complete the main application process digitally. Applicants can submit details, upload required academic records, and receive digitally verifiable e-attestation certificates after successful processing.
This is an important shift for students from remote districts, overseas applicants, and working professionals who previously had to arrange travel, photocopies, verification visits, courier dispatch, and accommodation in some cases. HEC says the digital system is meant to make the process faster, more transparent, and easier to track. It may also help applicants avoid uncertainty because the status of their case can be monitored through the portal instead of repeated visits or calls.
How the Change Affects Applicants
The most immediate impact is the sharp rise in the official attestation cost. A student who earlier paid Rs. 1,000 for attestation must now pay Rs. 3,000 under the revised structure. For people seeking attestation of multiple documents, the total expense may become a serious concern, especially for fresh graduates and families already managing education-related costs. This is why clear guidance on required documents, payment rules, and processing timelines will be important for public confidence.
At the same time, the new system may save money in indirect ways. Many applicants previously paid for travel, university verification, photocopies, courier services, and temporary stay in another city. If the online process works smoothly, it could reduce these extra costs and make the system more practical for students outside Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.
A Bigger Push Toward Digital Education Services
HEC’s move reflects a broader push to digitize public services connected with higher education in Pakistan. Digital attestation can help employers, foreign universities, immigration bodies, and scholarship organizations verify academic credentials more easily if the system remains reliable and accessible.
The success of the new model will depend on execution. Applicants will expect a stable portal, clear document requirements, quick university verification, transparent payment handling, and responsive support in case of errors. If these areas are managed well, the higher fee may be easier to justify. If delays continue, students may see the increase as an added burden rather than a service improvement. The coming months will show whether the new e-attestation model can balance higher charges with better convenience, stronger verification, and faster service delivery.
