What is diploma and qualification recognition in Georgia?

Recognition is the official confirmation that a qualification earned abroad is valid and comparable to a Georgian qualification of the same level. In Georgia this is handled by the LEPL National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) — the state body responsible for educational quality and for recognising foreign education documents. NCEQE is also Georgia’s national information centre within the European ENIC-NARIC networks.

When you apply, NCEQE does two things. First, it verifies that your document is authentic and was issued by a recognised institution. Second, it assesses equivalence — whether the qualification, level and learning outcomes from your studies abroad correspond to a level on the Georgian National Qualifications Framework. If everything checks out, NCEQE issues a recognition decision. The decision is what Georgian universities, employers and licensing bodies will ask to see.

Recognition can apply to several types of education document, including a certificate of complete general (school) education, a vocational diploma, and a higher education diploma (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree), each typically together with its transcript or supplement.

Who needs NCEQE recognition?

You are likely to need a recognition decision if you fall into one of these situations:

• Studying in Georgia. A foreign applicant who wants to enrol in a Georgian university, or transfer and continue studies here, usually needs their previous education recognised so the institution can confirm the level you completed abroad. If you are planning your studies, see our overview of studying in Georgia.
• Working or getting licensed. Many employers and regulated professions in Georgia ask for proof that your foreign degree is equivalent to a Georgian one. Recognition is often a prerequisite for professional licensing and certain public-sector roles.
• Returning Georgian citizens. Georgians who earned a school certificate or degree abroad and want it recognised at home — for further study, employment or licensing — go through the same NCEQE process.
• Further or postgraduate study. If you completed a bachelor’s abroad and want to start a master’s in Georgia (or a master’s holder wanting a doctorate), recognition lets the receiving programme confirm your prior level.

The recognition process, step by step

The exact requirements depend on the country your document comes from and the level of education. In general terms, the path looks like this:

1. Gather your original education documents — the diploma or certificate plus its transcript or supplement showing grades and learning outcomes.
2. Authenticate the documents with an apostille or, for non-Hague countries, consular legalisation, so that Georgian authorities accept them as genuine.
3. Provide a certified Georgian translation. Documents in a non-State language must be submitted with a notarised Georgian translation.
4. Complete the application — the NCEQE application form, a copy of your identity document or passport (with notarised translation for foreign passports), and, where someone applies on your behalf, a power of attorney.
5. Pay the application fee and submit the full package to NCEQE.
6. NCEQE reviews authenticity and equivalence and issues a recognition decision. If NCEQE needs extra documents, it sets a deadline to provide them.

Processing times and fees vary by document type and country and are set by NCEQE — confirm the current requirements, fees and timelines with NCEQE (as of 2026, verify with NCEQE, eqe.ge / nceqe.ge).

Recognition vs apostille vs translation — clearing up the confusion

These three steps are often confused, but they do different jobs and are usually all needed together:

• Apostille / legalisation proves your document is genuine — it authenticates the seal and signature of the issuing authority abroad. It says nothing about what the qualification is worth in Georgia. See apostille & legalisation of your documents.
• Certified translation makes your document readable and legally usable in Georgian. NCEQE works with documents in the State language, so a notarised Georgian translation is normally required. See certified Georgian translation.
• NCEQE recognition is the equivalence decision — it confirms what level your foreign qualification corresponds to in Georgia. This is the outcome that universities, employers and licensing bodies actually ask for.

In short: you usually apostille/legalise first, translate second, and then submit to NCEQE for recognition. Each step is complementary, not a substitute for the others.

How Georgiafy helps

Recognition touches several offices and languages at once, which is where most people lose time. Georgiafy coordinates the whole chain so you only deal with one team:

• Assessing what you need — we review your documents and goal (study, work, licensing) and tell you which steps actually apply to your case.
• Document preparation — checking that your diploma, transcript and supplements are complete and in the right form.
• Apostille and legalisation coordination — arranging authentication of your foreign documents where required.
• Certified Georgian translation — notarised translations that meet submission requirements.
• Submission to NCEQE — completing the application and lodging the full package.
• Follow-up — responding to any requests for additional documents and keeping you updated until a decision is issued.

If your recognition is part of a move to Georgia, we can also help with a student or residence permit alongside the recognition process. Note: the recognition decision is made solely by NCEQE based on your documents — we cannot guarantee any particular outcome, only that your application is prepared and submitted correctly.

What to prepare

• Your original education document (school certificate, vocational diploma or higher education diploma).
• The transcript or diploma supplement showing subjects, grades and the form of study.
• Apostille or consular legalisation on the documents, as applicable.
• A notarised Georgian translation of the documents.
• A copy of your identity document or passport (with notarised translation for foreign passports).
• A power of attorney if someone is applying on your behalf, and the application fee receipt.

Exact document lists differ by case — confirm the current requirements with NCEQE (as of 2026, verify with NCEQE, eqe.ge / nceqe.ge).

Frequently asked questions

Who recognises foreign diplomas in Georgia?

The LEPL National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) is the Georgian authority that recognises foreign education documents, from school certificates to university degrees. It is also Georgia’s ENIC-NARIC information centre.

Do I need an apostille and a translation as well as recognition?

Usually yes. Apostille or legalisation authenticates your document, a notarised Georgian translation makes it usable in the State language, and NCEQE recognition confirms its equivalence. They are complementary steps, and most cases need all three.

How long does recognition take and what does it cost?

Processing times and fees vary by document type and country of origin and are set by NCEQE. We do not quote fixed prices here — confirm the current fees and timelines directly with NCEQE (as of 2026, verify with NCEQE).

Can Georgiafy guarantee my diploma will be recognised?

No. The recognition decision is made solely by NCEQE based on the authenticity and equivalence of your documents. Georgiafy ensures your application is correctly prepared, translated, legalised and submitted, but the outcome rests with NCEQE.

This page is general information, not legal or education advice. Recognition rules, required documents, fees and timelines change and depend on your individual case — always verify the current requirements with NCEQE (eqe.ge / nceqe.ge) before acting.