Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Govt of Punjab Increases Degree Attestation Fee

 

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 Higher Education Commission (HEC) Government of Punjab has officially revised and increased the Degree Attestation Fee structure for 2026, bringing important changes for students, graduates, job seekers, and professionals across Pakistan. The updated fee policy applies to degree attestation, transcript verification, equivalence documents, and other academic credential authentication services processed through HEC regional offices and the official online attestation system.

Degree attestation is a mandatory process for individuals who need verified educational documents for employment, higher education admissions, scholarships, immigration, foreign visas, professional licensing, and overseas job opportunities. Every year, thousands of Pakistani students and professionals submit their academic records to HEC for official verification and authentication. With the latest 2026 update, applicants will now be required to pay revised service charges for both normal and urgent attestation categories.

According to HEC officials, the increase in attestation fees has been introduced to improve service quality, strengthen digital verification systems, modernize document security standards, and enhance operational efficiency at attestation centers. The commission is also expanding its online verification infrastructure to provide faster processing, better tracking facilities, reduced paperwork, and improved transparency for applicants nationwide.

Under the updated policy, the revised charges may apply to:

• Original Degree Attestation
• Transcript Attestation
• Equivalence Certificate Verification
• Photocopy Attestation
• Urgent Processing Services
• Online Verification Requests
• International Document Verification

Applicants using the HEC e-portal will continue to benefit from digital application submission, appointment scheduling, online fee challans, and application tracking systems. Students can upload scanned educational documents, CNIC copies, passport-size photographs, and supporting certificates directly through the online portal before visiting the selected HEC office for biometric verification and final attestation.

The new fee structure is expected to impact:

• University graduates
• Government job applicants
• Overseas employment candidates
• Students applying for foreign universities
• Scholarship applicants
• Immigration and visa applicants
• Professional licensing applicants

To complete the attestation process successfully, applicants generally need the following documents:

✅ Original educational degrees and transcripts

✅ CNIC or B-Form copy

✅ Passport copy (if required)

✅ HEC online application form

✅ Paid fee challan/receipt

✅ Equivalence certificate (for foreign qualifications if applicable)

✅ Authority letter (if someone applies on behalf of the applicant)

HEC has advised students and degree holders to carefully verify all academic records before applying online to avoid delays, rejection, or verification issues. Applicants are also encouraged to regularly check the official HEC portal for the latest fee updates, appointment availability, processing timelines, and policy announcements.

The revised fee structure may vary depending on the type of document, urgency level, and verification category. In some cases, urgent processing services may cost significantly higher than normal attestation services. Processing times can also differ based on application volume and document verification requirements.

In this complete guide, we explain everything about the HEC Degree Attestation Fee Increase 2026 in Punjab and Pakistan, including:

• Updated fee structure
• Eligibility criteria
• Required documents
• Step-by-step online application process
• HEC e-portal registration method
• Appointment booking procedure
• Fee payment methods
• Normal and urgent processing time
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Important instructions for students and overseas applicants

Whether you are preparing for a government job, international scholarship, foreign university admission, immigration case, or overseas employment opportunity, this detailed article will help you understand the latest HEC attestation fee changes and complete your degree verification process smoothly and successfully in 2026.