UAE Law: Up to 10 Years in Prison, Employment Termination for Submitting Forged Certificates

Submitting forged educational certificates to secure a job in the UAE is a serious offence that can lead to imprisonment, fines, and immediate dismissal from employment. Authorities have reiterated that such acts constitute forgery under the country’s criminal laws and fraud under employment regulations.

 

Under Federal Law by Decree No. 31 of 2021, which promulgates the Crimes and Penalties Law, forgery is defined as any act that alters the authenticity of a document with the intent to use it as a genuine one. This includes adding, deleting, or modifying text, numbers, seals, or photographs; placing a forged signature; or creating a fake document and attributing it to someone else. Even filling out a signed or sealed blank document without authorisation or impersonating another person for identification purposes falls under forgery.

 

Article 252 of the law stipulates that forging an official document is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years. If the forgery involves a non-official document, the punishment is incarceration. Article 253 states that anyone who forges or knowingly uses a forged copy of an official document may face imprisonment for up to five years, while using a forged copy of a non-official document attracts incarceration.

 

Further, Article 258 provides that anyone who knowingly uses a forged document is subject to the same penalty as the forger. This means that an individual who submits a fake educational certificate to gain employment can face imprisonment for several years and may also be fined.

 

In addition to criminal penalties, presenting forged certificates can also result in termination from employment. Under Article 44 of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations, an employer may dismiss an employee without notice if it is proven that the employee impersonated another person or submitted forged certificates or documents.

 

The law requires employers to conduct a written investigation before dismissing an employee on such grounds. The dismissal decision must be in writing, justified, and handed over to the employee. Once forgery is confirmed, the employer can terminate the employee immediately, without notice or end-of-service gratuity.

 

Employers are encouraged to verify the authenticity of educational qualifications at the time of recruitment. If fake certificates are discovered after hiring, the company can take disciplinary action and report the matter to the authorities, including the police or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Reporting such incidents ensures compliance with the law and protects the employer from potential liability.

 

Forgery is treated as a grave offence in the UAE because it undermines the integrity of the employment system and public trust. Authorities have repeatedly warned that submitting false credentials not only jeopardises one’s career prospects but also risks criminal prosecution and deportation for expatriates.

 

Human resource professionals are advised to maintain transparent verification processes and keep detailed documentation of investigations into suspected forgery cases. They should also include clear clauses in employment contracts stating that submission of false documents constitutes gross misconduct and can lead to immediate termination.

 

In essence, the UAE’s legal framework takes a zero-tolerance approach toward document forgery. Employees found guilty of submitting fake educational certificates face imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines, and loss of employment. Employers, on their part, have both the authority and responsibility to act decisively and report such offences to safeguard the integrity of their organisations and uphold the law.

 

 

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