If you are planning to move to the UAE as a UK citizen, one of the most important things to consider is document attestations. Attestation of legal documents in the UAE is a mandatory process. It is necessary, especially for obtaining a UAE residence visa, a business license, any work permits, or for other educational purposes.
A UK certificate attestation is proof to ensure that your degree is legally genuine and recognized by the UAE embassy and other related authorities. Now it’s clear that the process of attestation is required in the UAE, the next question that arises as a British citizen is how to proceed with the attestation. For that purpose, let’s discuss the process, how it works, which documents are needed, and the types of documents attested in the UAE.
Let’s get started!
Why is degree attestation required in the UAE?
Attestation solely refers to a legalization process when one country recognizes the documents from the other country legally. To get a UAE resident visa, you need to submit educational certificates, and is applied to all expats seeking residency here in the country.
However, if you are going to sponsor your spouse or family members, such as your children, in that case, you might need to submit a birth certificate attestation UK to the relevant UAE authorities!
UK attestation in UAE – How does it work?
Firstly, you need to have the original document you wish to use for official purposes. After that, you can follow the following steps for a successful UK attestation in the UAE.
- Notarization of the documents
- FCO attestation in the UK
- Attestation by the UAE embassy
- Attestation by the MOFA
1. Notarization
- The first step is to present the original document to a registered UK solicitor.
- The documents are then stamped and signed to verify that it’s legit and original.
- For birth, marriage, and death certificates, the documents must be original.
2. FCO attestation in UK
FCDO, as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office affixes an apostille to ensure that the documents are genuine and are issued in the United Kingdom.
3. UAE Embassy UK Attestation
The next step is to verify the document at the UAE Embassy. It is mandatory to ensure that the document is relevant and that its intent of use in the UAE is legal. The document usually gets a consular stamp from the UAE Embassy.
4. Attestation by MOFA
The last and final step is to get attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. It is one of the most common steps for all types of documents to get legal recognition in the country.
Note: For a few documents, such as a marriage certificate, you might require translating the document into Arabic as per UAE’s requirements. However, it depends on the intent of use, and you should always consider seeking guidance from a PRO.
How much time is required for UK certificate attestation in the UAE?
The time required for UK certificate attestation in the UAE depends on many factors. The factors include, but are not limited to, the type of certificate (educational, personal, commercial) and the agent providing the services.
Overall, it takes from 10-12 working days. The process is described below in detail, step by step:
- The document should be notarized first by a UK public notary.
- This document will be authenticated from the FCDO, which may take some 2–3 working days.
- Once the FCDO attestation is completed, the document will be sent for UAE Embassy attestation in the UK, which may take an additional 3–5 working days.
- Once the document has arrived in the UAE, it is to be finally attested by MOFA, usually taking 2–3 working days.
Types of certificate attestation in UAE
Various documents originating from the UK could require attestation for use in the UAE. In general, there are three groups: Educational, Personal, and Commercial.
An overview of these is as follows:
Educational Documents
- Degree Certificates
- Diplomas
- Transcripts
- Training Certificates
- Professional Qualifications
Required for seeking employment, higher education, or for obtaining a visa in the UAE.
Personal Documents
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Death Certificates
- Divorce Papers
- Adoption Papers
- Police Clearance Certificates
Personal documents are required in applications for a family visa, litigation processes, and residency.
Commercial Documents
- Power of Attorney
- Incorporation Certificates
- Memorandum of Association
- Articles of Association
- Board Resolutions
- Commercial Invoices
These will be required for company establishment, trade dealings, or legal representations in the UAE. Notarization must be for each type of document, followed by UK Foreign Office attestation, then the UAE Embassy’s, and finally UAE MOFA.
Trust EBS with UK certificate attestation!
The entire UK certificate attestation process in the UAE will be smooth with Emirates Business Setup, with less hassle and extra efficiency. From UK notarization to UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation, we do all the steps according to UAE regulations.
With Emirates Business Setup, you can be assured of your attestation requirements. We do help with pick-up services and ensure the process remains straightforward and is completed within three weeks. We have successful clients who succeeded in the UK document attestation from the UAE Embassy and MOFA with us. Choose our attestation services, and after completion, grab an opportunity to secure a golden visa in the UAE with the help of Emirates Business Setup!
If you are migrating for work, study, or business to the UAE, the support from end to end will ensure peace of mind to get on with the next steps without the headaches of paperwork.
