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The Federal Decree by Law No. 31 of 2025 entered into force on 1 January 2026 after issuance by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the previous October. Article 25 of the decree requires all existing higher education institutions and technical and vocational education and training providers to adjust their status within one year with the minister able to grant extensions in coordination with local authorities. This provision repeals the prior Federal Decree-Law No. 48 of 2021 and extends uniformly to institutions in free zones as well as those under local oversight.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has detailed that the law creates a unified framework covering licensure classification program accreditation and continuous supervision to bolster governance across the sector. Objectives in the decree focus on developing flexible innovative academic programs that align with labor market requirements while integrating with the national qualifications framework and advancing scientific research. The legislation further supports lifelong learning and ensures educational outcomes meet evolving national economic priorities.
Education market analyses indicated that the UAE higher education system enrolled approximately 230,000 students in 2025 with 57,035 new enrollments recorded in the 2024-25 academic year for a 13 percent annual increase. Dubai private higher education enrollment climbed 20 percent to a record 42,026 students in the latest figures. These enrollment levels highlight the breadth of operations now subject to the standardized regulatory requirements during the transition.[[1]](https://www.educationfair.net/market-reports/africa-the-middle-east/united-arab-emirates/)[[2]](https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/About-Us/Whats-New/Dubais-private-higher-education-sector-continues)
The decree-law sets out definitions for key elements including performance indicators used to classify institutions and monitor compliance with the new standards. Institutions must update programs to incorporate innovation and forward-looking approaches that respond to scientific developments and labor demands. Federal and local authorities will coordinate closely on licensing accreditation and implementation steps throughout the one-year window.
Subsequent ministerial decisions are anticipated to furnish additional procedural details for regularization as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research continues to issue guidance. The law establishes a national reference for all higher education operations with emphasis on quality enhancement and competitiveness. Providers must achieve full alignment by December 2026 unless an extension is formally approved under the decree terms.
