To acquire equivalence certificate for approved qualifications, students need to submit the required documents along with the application form. Yes, a student can apply online for equivalence certificate. IBCC offers three application methods for your convenience:

• walk-in service (for both original and photocopy)
• courier service (for both original and photocopy)
• online submission (only for photocopy)

To apply for an equivalence certificate from IBCC Pakistan for foreign qualifications, you typically need the following documents:

• Original and Photocopy of Foreign Qualification: Diplomas, certificates, or degrees requiring equivalence.
• Transcripts or Mark Sheets: Detailed academic records showing subjects studied and grades/marks received.
• Passport and Visa Copies: Proof of stay and study abroad (if applicable).
• Previous Educational Certificates: Local or foreign certificates for verification of academic background.
• Application Form: Completed equivalence application form, available on the IBCC website or office.
• Fee Payment Receipt: Proof of payment for the equivalence certificate processing fee.

Additional documents may be required depending on the qualification level and country of origin.

IBCC is not only restricted to foreign qualifications. It provides equivalence for both foreign and indigenous qualifications including: Aama Khasa, Nursing diplomas, and various degrees from national educational institutions. The IBCC assesses these qualifications to ensure they meet the established standards in Pakistan, facilitating recognition for educational and professional purposes.

IBCC provides urgent equivalence certificate for only O/A Levels. Urgent equivalence certificate service is not available for other local or foreign qualifications.

The equivalence fee for foreign qualifications is Rs. 6000 each, while for local qualifications, it is Rs. 4000 each. For Aama Khasa, the fee is Rs. 1500 each.

Urgent equivalence certificate for O/A Levels costs Rs. 12000 each.

O Levels, or Ordinary Levels, are a type of standardized examination typically taken by students following the British education system. The O Levels are part of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) and are recognized internationally. They are usually taken at the end of secondary education, around the age of 16 and cover a wide range of subjects.

GCE “O” Level/GCSE is regarded as equivalent to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) in Pakistan, provided that the requirements of the subjects or scheme of studies are met.

For students studying “O” level in Pakistan, eight subjects are mandatory. These subjects include English, Urdu, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The remaining three subjects are electives, allowing students to tailor their curriculum based on their interests and career goals.

The statement of result for both “O” and “A” levels is valid for a maximum of six (6) months only. After this period, the original certificate is required, and applications without the original certificate will not be processed.

• Original General Certificate of Education (GCE) of both O and A levels along with photocopies duly attested by a government officer of grade 17 or above.
• One photograph of student with documentary evidence of studies abroad, including original passport and attested photocopies with endorsed visas of the country concerned for students from abroad.
• Attested photocopy of CNIC or birth certificate of the applicant/parent or tenderer.
• Attested photocopy of earlier issued SSC equivalence certificate by IBCC or photocopy of documents.
• Original or photocopy of provisional certificate/letter with marks already issued by IBCC, if any.
•  

Requirements for obtaining a duplicate equivalence certificate are:

• Application for issuance of duplicate equivalence certificate.
• All original documents along with a set of attested photocopies for which equivalence is required.
• Photocopy of the previous equivalence certificate.
• Fees of Rs.8, 000/-
• Advertisement in a newspaper for the loss of the equivalence certificate.
• An affidavit, duly attested by a 1st class Magistrate on stamp paper of Rs.50/- or above.

Equivalence Procedure for Foreign Qualification:

• Fill-out the application form available at http://beta.ibcc.cloud/.
• Provide original certificates along-with a photocopy of the certificate for which equivalence is required (if other than English language, provide its English translation from the concerned University/Embassy or National University of Modern Languages – NUML).
• Submit a photocopy of the year-wise transcript or diploma or graduation certificate/record of study indicating the date of admission and completion of the degree (if other than English, provide its translation from the concerned University/Embassy or NUML).
• Provide a photocopy of the passport indicating visa, entry, and exit in the respective country for the study duration only.
• Provide a photocopy of CNIC.
• Student must show all the above-mentioned original documents to get them officially checked and confirmed as ‘Seen Original and Verified’ at either the IBCC Head office or IBCC Regional offices in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, or Bahawalpur.

• Applicants must provide verification of the authenticity of their diploma/certificate from the relevant organizations, or IBCC will send letter to the concerned institution/authority for verification.

Equivalence Procedure for Local Qualification:

• Fill-out an application form.
• Provide original and photocopy of each diploma/certificate (9 to 12) along with CNIC and application processing fee.
• Submit photocopies of year-wise transcripts/DMCs/result cards indicating the date of admission and date of completion along with the duration of each semester/term.
• Provide proof of registration from the concerned professional body (in case of professional certificate/diploma).
• Submit photocopy verified in sealed envelope from relevant board.
• Pay the equivalence fee, which is non-refundable for each certificate/diploma.
• Student must show all the above-mentioned original documents to get them officially checked and confirmed as ‘Seen Original and Verified’ at either IBCC Head Office or any IBCC Regional Centers at the time of submission of the application.

(15-20) working days are required to process equivalence certificate completely.

To track your equivalence certificate application from IBCC Pakistan’s portal:

• Visit the official IBCC website at https://beta.ibcc.cloud/
• Navigate to the Equivalence Portal
• Log in with your application credentials, such as the application number or CNIC/passport number.
• Check the status of your application, where updates on processing stages will be displayed.

You can also contact IBCC’s helpline for further assistance if needed.

Applications may be rejected due to incomplete documentation, non-recognition of the foreign institution, discrepancies in transcripts, or unverified academic records.

To appeal, submit a written request to the IBCC with additional supporting documents or clarifications. The appeal will be reviewed by the Equivalence Committee.

Once issued, an equivalence certificate is valid indefinitely unless the qualification itself is time-bound or has specific limitations.

IBCC evaluates qualifications based on curriculum, duration, grading criteria, and educational level to align foreign qualifications with Pakistani standards.

If discrepancies exist, you should first verify and correct your documents with the issuing institution before submitting them to IBCC to avoid application issues.

IBCC does not provide equivalence certificates for typical professional/vocational qualifications. However, the diplomas corresponding to the technical qualifications offered by BTEs may be considered on case to case basis.

IBCC evaluates distance learning qualifications on a case-by-case basis, recognizing them if the institution is accredited and meets IBCC’s equivalency standards.

A provisional equivalence certificate is temporary, issued pending final verification, whereas a final certificate is issued after all required documentation has been verified.

For qualifications from non-traditional systems, IBCC assesses factors such as accreditation, course content, and structure, determining equivalency based on compatibility with Pakistan’s educational standards.

GCE/GCSE/IGCSE O levels

• Appearance in examinations from Pakistan:Eight subjects are required including compulsory subjects of English, Mathematics, Urdu, Islamiyat, and Pakistan Studies, and three elective academic subjects with a minimum passing grade of E.
• Appearance in examinations overseas/abroad: Five subjects are required including English, Mathematics, and three elective academic subjects with a minimum passing grade of E.

GCE A levels

• Three relevant subjects of A levels for the desired group i.e. for Pre-Medical Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, for Pre-Engineering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and for Humanities any three elective subjects with minimum E grade will be required

(Note: The Pakistani students appearing in any of the IGCSE/GCSE/GCE O level OR GCE A level examinations from Pakistan must pass Urdu, Islamiyat, and Pakistan Studies at IGCSE/GCE O levels for obtaining equivalence.)