MOE Unified Age Cutoff & TC Attestation 2026
UAE School Admission Age Cutoffs & Transfer Rules
Unified MOE age requirements for FS1/KG1 to Grade 1, Transfer Certificate (TC) attestation workflow, mid-term transfer windows, and KHDA/ADEK registration.
Unified Age Cutoff Mandate
The Ministry of Education (MOE) established a unified age calculation framework across all public and private schools in the UAE.
For schools starting in September (British, American, IB, French), the cutoff date is August 31. For schools starting in April (Indian CBSE/ICSE), the cutoff date is March 31.
Minimum Age Requirements by Grade / Year
| Grade / Year Group | British Year Equivalent | Minimum Required Age | Cutoff Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG / FS1 | Nursery / FS1 | Must be 3 Years Old | Aug 31 (Sept start) / Mar 31 (Apr start) |
| KG1 / FS2 | Reception / FS2 | Must be 4 Years Old | Aug 31 (Sept start) / Mar 31 (Apr start) |
| KG2 / Year 1 | Year 1 | Must be 5 Years Old | Aug 31 (Sept start) / Mar 31 (Apr start) |
| Grade 1 / Year 2 | Year 2 | Must be 6 Years Old | Aug 31 (Sept start) / Mar 31 (Apr start) |
Transfer Certificate (TC) Attestation
When transferring a child from abroad to a UAE school:
- 1. Obtain original Transfer Certificate (TC) from previous school stating last grade passed
- 2. Attest at District Education Board / Ministry of Education in country of origin
- 3. Attest at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in country of origin
- 4. Attest at UAE Embassy in country of origin
- 5. Final attestation at MOFA UAE upon arrival
Special Educational Needs (Inclusion)
Under the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework and ADEK Inclusion Policy:
- ✅ Schools CANNOT refuse admission to students of determination (SEN) based on disability
- ✅ Schools must provide individual education plans (IEPs) and learning support assistants
- ✅ Assessment fees for SEN students are regulated by KHDA / ADEK
Frequently Asked Questions
The unified age cutoff date for schools starting in September is August 31. A child must have reached the required age on or before August 31.
A Transfer Certificate certifies a student's last completed grade. If transferring from outside the UAE, it requires full attestation by home MOE, home MOFA, UAE Embassy, and MOFA UAE.
Mid-term transfers within Dubai are permitted until mid-October. Transfers from outside the UAE are permitted until mid-November subject to KHDA approval.
MOE & KHDA Portal
• MOE Student Registration Regulations: moe.gov.ae
• KHDA Student Registration Services: khda.gov.ae