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UAE Document Attestation and Legalization
We prepare your documents so that UAE authorities, banks and free zones accept them: diplomas, certificates, powers of attorney and company papers. The route depends on the country that issued the document and the office that will receive it.
A foreign document is accepted in the UAE only after legalization, and UAE document attestation is the final step of that process. The usual chain is certification in the issuing country, legalization at a UAE consulate or embassy, and attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs once the document is in the Emirates. Each issuing country and each type of document has its own procedure, and a mistake at any step sends everything back to the start. Documents issued in the UAE for use abroad go through the chain in reverse.
We start with one question: who will receive the document, and for what purpose. The immigration authority, an employer, a company registrar or a bank may each need different certifications and an Arabic translation. Once the route is clear, we take the document through every step and keep you informed at each stage.
Who it is for
- People applying for a UAE residence visa who need to prove a degree or marital status
- Families sponsoring visas for a spouse and children who need to prove family ties
- Company owners who need articles, resolutions or powers of attorney legalized for registration in the UAE
- Anyone granting a power of attorney to a representative in the UAE
- People who need to use UAE documents in another country
Requirements
- The original document or a notarized copy in the form accepted by the issuing country
- Clarity on which UAE authority will receive the document
- For diplomas: sometimes a confirmation from the university and the transcript of grades
- For company documents: recent register extracts and resolutions of the management bodies
- An Arabic translation, if the receiving authority requires it
What we do
- Plan the legalization route based on the issuing country and the receiving authority
- Check the document before we start: whether its form and issue date are acceptable
- Arrange certification in the issuing country and consular legalization
- Handle attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Arrange a legal translation into Arabic
- Hand over the finished documents for filing or send them to you
Key documents
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Criminal record certificates
- Powers of attorney
- Articles of association, register extracts, shareholder and director resolutions
- The requirements of the UAE authority that will receive the document
How it works
- Routewe identify the issuing country, the type of document and the receiving authority
- Certification in the issuing countrya notary and the authorized bodies of the country where the document was issued
- UAE consulatelegalization at the UAE consulate or embassy
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairsattestation of the document in the Emirates
- Translation and handoverArabic translation if needed, and delivery of the document
Timeline
From a few weeks to a few months, depending on the issuing country and the number of steps; the consular stage usually takes the longest.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A missed step in the legalization chain often goes unnoticed until the last stage, and then the document is returned
- Diplomas are often verified separately, which adds time
- Older certificates, such as Soviet-era ones, may need to be reissued before legalization
- UAE authorities change their requirements, so we check the current procedure before starting
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How does UAE document attestation work?
Usually the document is certified in the issuing country, then legalized at a UAE consulate and attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An apostille alone is not enough, because the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. The exact procedure depends on the country and the type of document. We map the route for your case and take the document through each step.
What is attestation in the UAE?
It is confirmation of a document's authenticity by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after which local authorities accept it. Attestation is the last link in the chain: before it, the document must be certified in the country where it was issued and legalized at a UAE consulate or embassy.
Do I need my degree attested to work in the UAE?
For many work visas and positions, yes, especially when the visa category or salary depends on your level of education. Sometimes the university is also asked to confirm the diploma. We check what your employer and the authority require.
Do I need an Arabic translation?
Often, yes, especially for courts, notaries and a number of government bodies. The translation is made by a licensed legal translator. Some authorities and free zones accept documents in English, so we check the requirements before ordering a translation.
How long does legalization for the UAE take?
From a few weeks to a few months, depending on the issuing country and the number of steps. The consular part is usually the longest. We give an estimate once the route for your document is clear.
Can UAE documents be legalized for another country?
Yes. In that case the document is attested in the UAE and then legalized at the embassy of the country where it will be used. The route also depends on the destination country, so we check it before starting.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
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Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
