HEC Red Alert: Strict Enforcement of Residency Requirements for Foreign Degrees Post-Spring 2026

Issuer: Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. Purpose: Public advisory on strict enforcement of physical residency requirements for foreign degrees awarded to Pakistani students.

Policy mandate: Effective immediately following the Spring 2026 semester, HEC will not recognize any foreign degree that was registered as an "On-Campus" or "Conventional" program if the student completed the program fully online or via a blended learning mode.

Critical compliance requirements: HEC recognizes degrees from foreign chartered universities listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) maintained by UNESCO and recognized in their country of origin. For degrees awarded via distance/online/blended learning, the awarding university/institute must have formal approval from its national regulatory body to offer the specific program through those modes.

Action required: Students admitted or enrolled in on-campus/conventional programs must ensure they meet and document the physical residency/presence requirements of the awarding country. Failure to provide regulatory evidence of residency or official approval for online/blended delivery will result in non-recognition of the degree by HEC.

How to apply / submit documents: Each application is assessed on individual merit and must be submitted with detailed supporting documents online via HEC e-Services: https://eservices.hec.gov.pk/

Contact / office: Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan.