CUE Recognition of Foreign Degrees in Kenya: Fees and Steps

Updated 28 October 2026

CUE recognition is how a degree, diploma or postgraduate award earned outside Kenya is formally accepted and equated to a Kenyan qualification. You apply online on the Commission for University Education (CUE) recognition portal, upload certified copies, then pay: KSh 6,000 for a Kenyan’s first application, KSh 10,000 for same-day express service and KSh 12,000 for a foreign holder. Employers, universities and professional bodies may ask for the CUE letter before they accept a foreign degree. Updated October 2026.

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Updated October 2026. Official sources: CUE Recognition and Equation of Qualifications portal (fees schedule, requirements and FAQs, read 28 October 2026); cue.or.ke.

What CUE recognition means

CUE defines recognition of foreign qualifications as “a formal acknowledgement by a competent authority of the validity of a foreign qualification with a view to access educational or employment opportunities”. In practice, the letter tells a Kenyan employer or university what your award is equivalent to locally. It matters if you studied abroad, studied online with a foreign university, or are a foreigner who wants to work or study in Kenya.

CUE handles university-level awards. If you are still choosing where to study, check that your agent is licensed first: see our full CUE list of licensed study abroad agencies.

CUE recognition fees 2026

These are the amounts on the CUE portal’s fee schedule as read on 28 October 2026.

CUE tells applicants to complete and submit the application before making any payment. Pay only through the options shown in your portal account.

Documents for CUE recognition of a foreign degree

Kenyan citizens

• Copies of all required certificates, signed and stamped by an Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths.
• Academic transcripts, certified the same way, to support each certificate.
• National ID or valid passport, certified by an Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths.
• The CUE declaration form, downloaded from the portal, signed and stamped by a Commissioner for Oaths.
• A letter of introduction.
• A sworn affidavit if your names differ across documents.

Foreign citizens

• Notarised copies of all certificates and transcripts.
• The declaration form signed by an Advocate and Notary Public.
• A notarised passport and work permit or visa, plus an interview invitation or job offer (if you plan to work in Kenya) or a provisional admission letter (if you plan to study at a Kenyan university).
• A letter of introduction, and an affidavit if names differ.

Foreign workers will also need the right permit; see our Kenya work permit classes and fees guide.

How to apply for CUE recognition online: step by step

1. Go to the CUE recognition portal and choose Register (Individual). Institutions use Register (Institution).
2. Download the portal manual and the declaration form, and get the form signed and stamped.
3. Have every certificate and transcript certified (Kenyans) or notarised (foreigners).
4. Log in, fill in the application and upload the scans.
5. Submit the application first, then pay the fee that matches your category.
6. Track progress in your dashboard and download or collect the recognition letter when it is issued.

CUE’s FAQ says copies can also be certified by the issuing university itself, which helps if you are still abroad.

Before you enrol abroad: avoid an award CUE won’t recognise

Recognition is assessed after you graduate, so the risk sits with you. Check that the foreign university is properly accredited in its home country, that the programme you join is the one named on your certificate, and that your agent is licensed. Our guide on how to verify a study abroad agent walks through the checks. If you are applying to the UK or Canada, our UK student visa guide covers the next steps.

Planning your studies now? Edvoy (affiliate link) offers free application help with partner universities, which you can then check against CUE’s guidance.

CUE contacts

• Office: Red Hill Road, off Limuru Road, Gigiri, Nairobi (about 12 km from the city centre). P.O. Box 54999-00200 Nairobi.
• Phone: 020 7205000 or 0780 656575.
• Email: info@cue.or.ke (enquiries) and complaints@cue.or.ke (complaints).
• Online help: the Help Desk and Feedback links inside the recognition portal.

CUE recognition: frequently asked questions

How much does CUE recognition cost in 2026?

KSh 6,000 for a Kenyan’s first application, KSh 10,000 for same-day express service, KSh 12,000 for a foreign holder and KSh 3,600 for a repeat application on the same award.

Who certifies documents for CUE recognition?

An Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths for Kenyan citizens, an Advocate and Notary Public for foreigners, or the university that issued the award.

Can I apply for CUE recognition while abroad?

Yes. The process is online. You need certified scans and the signed declaration form, and you pay through the portal after submitting.

Is CUE recognition the same as KNQA recognition?

No. CUE recognises and equates university-level qualifications. Other qualifications may be handled by other bodies, so ask the employer or institution which letter they need.

How do I complain about a delayed CUE application?

Email complaints@cue.or.ke or call 020 7205000, quoting your application reference.