You’ve probably seen someone on a Gulf or Expat Facebook page posting a certificate which they obviously are proud to show off because it has either the UAE flag of Saudi Arabia emblem on it. They are posting it for curiosity, just like exam results. To be fair the wording ‘appreciation certificate’ does sound like something official which you apply for, get it approved, and print it out.
It’s not exactly like that. UAE does have a real government-sponsered certificate for a specific program. In Saudi Arabia on the other hand, an ‘appreciation certificate’ (شهادة شكر وتقدير) is a self-made recognition document by schools, organizations, or event coordinators and is not related to any government office at all. Two countries, two different systems, and both are categorized under the same search term.
This guide at ViralSnob breaks them down both ways, honestly, so you can see what exactly you are eligible to get and how it can help you after you get it.
Quick Facts
| UAE | Saudi Arabia | |
| What it’s called | Certificate of Appreciation (Pledge and Commitment) | Shahadat Shukr wa Taqdir |
| Issued by | UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence initiative via pledge.ae | Employers, schools, government departments, event organizers (self-issued) |
| Legal status | Symbolic, not a legal document | Symbolic, not a legal document |
| Cost | Free | Usually free (design tools) |
| Eligibility | UAE citizens and residents | Anyone recognized by an organization, school, or workplace |
| Time to get it | A few minutes online | 15–30 minutes to design and print |
What Exactly Is an “Appreciation Certificate”?
An appreciation certificate is the same as a branded formal thank you. It has no monetary value, it’s not going to get you a visa, a court or a ministry is not going to ask to see it. However, it does have social and cultural value, which is significant in the Gulf region. Families will frame them, and offices will pin them on board. Schools will give them to students at the end of the school year. In a region where public acknowledgment of loyalty, effort and service is valued, such a certificate has more meaning compared to other regions around the world.
This is the commonality between the UAE and Saudi versions. Everything else is different (who issues it, how you get it, what triggers it).
The UAE Appreciation Certificate: The Pledge and Commitment Initiative
The Actual Source
The UAE’s variation is unique to a specific initiative called Pledge and Commitment, launched by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. There, the initiative offers a platform for all residents and citizens in the UAE (Emiratis and non-Emiratis) to show gratitude for the UAE’s security, stability, and opportunities, and their willingness to pledge a commitment to the UAE’s future.
The initiative was launched in a major public event in Abu Dhabi, attended by thousands of academics, community leaders, and business leaders. Sheikh Nahyan was the first to sign the pledge, followed by several illustrious public figures, after which the pledge was opened to the general public.
Who’s Eligible
Most people get this part wrong. They assume this is only for Emirati citizens. This initiative was intentionally designed to include:
- Citizens of the UAE
- Expat and long-term UAE residents
- UAE-based business owners and investors
- Students in the UAE
- All other people living or connected to the UAE and interested in participating
There are no fees, no waiting time for approval, no Emirates ID validation, and no residency requirements. If you’re in the UAE, you can join.
How to Get Your Certificate
It’s just about as quick as making a cup of tea, as the whole thing runs through pledge.ae:
- First, go to pledge.ae, and choose your preferred language. The platform has 12, so we’re sure one of them is yours.
- Next, enter your full name how you wish for it to appear on your certificate.
- Then, enter your email address if you want to receive a copy sent to you. (It’s optional but worth it.)
- You can also add family members to the pledge here.
- Then, go ahead and complete the pledge, which the site describes as “participating with pride.”
- Then, you can download your certificate.
In terms of how you want to display your certificate, you have a couple of options. Upload to Instagram or WhatsApp? You have a certificate sized just for that! If you prefer to display it in landscape or portrait format, you can print and frame the certificate.
Benefits of the UAE Certificate
To be transparent, this certificate won’t get you anything transactional. No fast-tracked visa, no savings, no government services. This pledge does offer:
- A recognized, shareable symbol of belonging. Especially for the long-term residents, it provides a government backed representation of “this is home,” so it’s not empty words.
- Community Visibility. Businesses, schools, and community organizations have used the campaign to show collective participation and you’ll notice many entities have publicly announced their pledge.
- Keepsake. Lots of families print and frame certificates kind of like how they’d frame a graduation photo — not for a utilitarian reason, but because it holds sentimental value.
If you’re looking for something that holds real administrative value, like evidence of employment or an educational credential, that’s a different situation and is done through different means, typically Qiwa in Saudi Arabia and respective ministry portals of the UAE. Appreciation certificates will not serve as a substitute for those.
The Saudi Arabia Appreciation Certificate: Shahadat Shukr wa Taqdir
Completely Different System
This is the point at which the two countries really separate from one another. In Saudi Arabia, there is not a government system in which you log on and request an official appreciation certificate for your citizenship or residency. The appreciation certificate “culture” in Saudi Arabia is decentralized. Schools, companies, mosques, government agencies, and even organizers of events issue and award their own appreciation certificates.
If you walk into just about any Saudi Arabian office, school, or community center, you will see appreciation certificates on the walls. A teacher awards a top student. A manager honors an employee for five years of work. A non-profit awards a certificate to a volunteer. There is no ministry involved. In just a few minutes, someone with a computer prints a certificate.
Who’s “Eligible”
Eligible isn’t exactly correct since there is no application process. It’s closer to who gets to be awarded. In practice it means:
- Those honored by their employer for achievement, loyalty, or service.
- Those honored by their school or by a university.
- Those honored by charities, mosques, or community organizations.
- Those honored by a token of appreciation given to them after an event, conference, or ceremony.
- Those honored by a sports competition.
A certificate will be awarded to you should someone decide, in a position to do so, that you are worthy of such an award. There is no governing authority that will approve or deny such an award.
How These Certificates Get Made
If you are creating a certificate for your team, class, event, or the like, the process is easy:
- Choose a free design platform, most people use Canva, or a Gulf-style certificate Arabic template.
- Search for “شهادة شكر وتقدير” or certificate of appreciation.
- Enter the Awardee name, Award reason, Awarding organization name and logo, and date.
- Add signature line, seal, or QR code for a design of greater formality.
- Save a high resolution PDF or image to print it yourself or local print shop.
It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, more if you are focusing on design, and less if you are satisfied with the design.
What Makes It Look Official vs. Thrown Together
The differences between a well-designed certificate and one that looks like a rushed job come down to a few details:
- Correct spelling of the recipient’s name. This may seem trivial, but it is the number one complaint for people receiving certificates.
- Specific wording, not generic placeholders. “In recognition of five years of dedicated service” is better than “Thank you for everything.”
- Real signatures (or at the very least, a printed name and title) are better if it is a printed certificate than if it is a blank certificate signed).
- Formatting – all certificates should have the same font, text should be aligned, logos should not be stretched.
Benefits of the Saudi Certificate
- Workplace morale. Recognition is almost free and improves employees assessment of their value. This is well documented in general HR practice (not limited to Saudi Arabia, but it is heavily used there).
- A personal keepsake. This is especially true for students and employees with many years of service, these will be kept for many years, even decades.
- Institutional goodwill. Organizations that provide recognition on a regular basis (especially if it is public) develop a loyal following and strong reputation.
- Free and no formalities required. Compared to attested academic or work certificates, appreciation certificates can be issued instantly and at no cost, with no time-consuming formalities.
If what you need are legally binding documents—a degree equivalency certificate, an attested employment letter, documents related to visas, or licensing—those are legally required processes with the respective ministry, and no certificate of appreciation will substitute for this.
UAE vs. Saudi Arabia: The Main Differences
| Factor | UAE | Saudi Arabia |
| Centralized system | Yes — pledge.ae | No — issued by individual organizations |
| Government involvement | Yes, direct involvement | No |
| Purpose | Civic pledge and appreciation for the nation | Recognition for personal, academic, or professional achievements |
| Who can get one | Every resident or citizen of UAE | Any person recognized by the issuing organization |
| Application needed | Yes, simple online form | No, it is issued automatically |
Questions and Answers
Is the appreciation certificate issued by UAE the same as the residency or citizenship certificate?
No. It is symbolic and related to the Pledge and Commitment initiative. It does not affect your visa, Emirates ID, or residency in the UAE.
Can tourists obtain the UAE appreciation certificate?
The initiative is aimed at residents and citizens rather than short-term visitors, although the platform is not strict on a verification system.
Does a Saudi appreciation certificate require a government stamp to be valid?
No. It’s not a government document. It’s just a courtesy by the issuer — whether a school, employer, or other organization — so no stamp is needed.
Is it permissible to create a Saudi appreciation certificate by myself?
Yes, and that’s what most people do. The majority of appreciation certificates created are personalized creations made with the help of design tools. There are very few government generated appreciation certificates.
Is there a time limit on the use of the appreciation certificates?
There is no time limit on certificates of appreciation. There is no governing body or credential that makes these certificates require an expiration date.
Final Thought
The truth is, the people typing “UAE & Saudi Arabia Appreciation Certificate” in the search bar, imagine there is one website for both countries to have one rule, one form, and one document. That website does not exist, and the two countries have no plans of ever making that website. The UAE made a single, government-issued pledge platform and certificate. Saudi Arabia left it to the schools, offices, and people to create certificates on their own. Different countries, different ways, and clearly this is an adequate and efficient way to get things done.
Both of these are certificates of appreciation, and neither will get you past a visa office, nor will either replace an attested degree, so don’t consider them for that. However, that was never really the point. If you’re a long-term resident of the UAE, and you want a certificate that says you chose this country and you’re proud of it, you can get one in about two minutes from pledge.ae. If you are a manager in Riyadh and want to make an employee feel appreciated after a long and tough working year, or are a teacher who wants to give a student a memory of being the best in the class, a well written, simple certificate gives a huge boost to morale more than what is expected for a free pdf.
So, don’t overthink this. Just choose the option that applies to you, spend the fifteen minutes on it and get it in someone’s hands, that’s all this was about.
