MoFA Attestation in UAE: Requirements & How to Attest Documents From MoFA?

If you’re applying for visas, residency permits, employment, or commercial contracts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you must get your documents attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This legally recognizes your documents in the UAE. 

This guide explains what MoFA attestation is, why it’s required, MoFA UAE attestation requirements, and how to get documents attested by MoFA.

What is MoFA Attestation in UAE

MoFA attestation is the official process of validating the authenticity of a document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in the UAE. In other words, it verifies that the seal and signature on documents issued in the UAE or overseas are legitimate. It applies to a wide range of documents, including:

Individual Affairs Documents

• Educational certificates and transcripts
• Birth certificates
• Death certificates
• Medical reports
• Good conduct certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Court-issued certificates
• Powers of attorney of a personal nature
• To-whom-it-may-concern letters
• Employment contracts
• Employment offers
• Bank statements
• Personal tax certificates

Commercial Documents

• Contracts or agreements
• Commercial registrations
• Appointment of managers or directors
• Minutes of board meetings or partners' meetings
• Company name changes
• Brand registrations
• Distribution agreements
• Corporate insurance certificates
• Corporate tax certificates
• Board of directors' decisions
• Trade licenses
• Partnership or shareholder certificates
• Annexes and appendices in commercial documents
• Memorandums
• Company closures
• Company branch registrations
• Bankruptcy documents
• Financial statements
• Product registrations
• Patent registrations or waivers
• Trademark registrations
• Powers of attorney of a commercial nature
• General powers of attorney
• Signature documents
• End-user certificates
• Tax certificates
• Completion certificates

Why MoFA Attestation is Required

MoFA attestation UAE is mandatory to comply with legal and administrative requirements across various scenarios:

• Genuine certification validation: Attestation confirms that educational certificates are genuine, preventing fraudulent claims of qualifications.
• Skill verification for employers: Employers ensure that candidates' qualifications meet specific job standards, ensuring proper skillsets for the role.
• Compliance with UAE labor laws: The UAE mandates attested certificates for employment purposes, ensuring compliance with local labor laws and regulations.
• Immigration and residency requirements: Attested documents are necessary for visa processing, residency permits, and other immigration procedures, confirming the candidate's eligibility to work in the UAE.
• Prevention of fraudulent hiring: Attested certificates help avoid hiring individuals who may have falsified their academic or professional qualifications.
• Safeguarding business interests: Verifying the authenticity of documents helps employers protect their business interests and ensure regulatory compliance during recruitment.

MoFA Attestation Requirements in UAE

The MoFA in the UAE has specific requirements for document attestation to ensure the process runs smoothly:

Prior Attestation

Except for digital documents issued by a government agency or documents attested electronically, the governing body must attest original documents issued within the UAE. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country must verify the original document for documents issued outside of the UAE. Then, it can be verified by the UAE's embassy in the issuing nation. If the UAE has no embassy in the concerned country, the document must be attested by the country’s embassy in the UAE or an accredited body.

Document Condition and Translation

The document must not be laminated. It should also have a clear and valid stamp and signature. Also, non-English or non-Arabic documents must be translated into Arabic or English by a Ministry of Justice-approved translator.

Documents Required for MoFA Attestation

You’ll need to provide the following documents required for MoFA attestation:

How to Attest Documents from MoFA

The MoFA attestation process is straightforward but involves multiple steps. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to how to do MoFA attestation:

Step 1: Registration

Go to the UAE MoFA website or mobile app to initiate your document attestation request. So, this way, you can do MoFA attestation from anywhere. Later on, you can check the status of your attestation request on the MoFA portal.

Individuals can register for a UAE Pass to login, whether you’re a UAE citizen and foreigner. With this pass, you will have a single account to apply for numerous services across UAE institutions. However, companies/institutions login through the MoFA website. 

Step 2: Application Submission

Submit your notarized documents for verification. Ensure the documents have already been attested by the relevant governing bodies in the originating country. Also, make sure you attach the QR code or any link provided by the authorized entity.

Step 3: MoFA Attestation Fee Payment

Pay the MoFA attestation fee online, which varies depending on the type of document:

• Individual Certificates: AED 150
• Commercial Documents: AED 2000

On top of these, courier service fees may apply, which range from AED 40 to AED 150 (excluding Value Added Tax), depending on your location and chosen delivery service. So, the total MoFA attestation fee varies from AED 190 to AED 2150.

Step 4: Confirmation

You’ll receive an SMS confirming the successful application. Then, you will be contacted by the delivery company of your choice so that you can send your original documents for attestation if you choose the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the attestation venue. 

But in case the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects your application, you’ll receive the refund automatically within 14 working days.

Step 5: Document Delivery

The MoFA attestation process typically takes 0–3 business days. For attestation cases within UAE, attested documents are delivered via courier. On the other hand, for outside UAE, you’ve to go to the UAE embassy or consulate for document attestation.

Note that there is no expiration date for the validity of the document after it has been attested. 

Conclusion

The process for MoFA attestation UAE involves registering on the MoFAIC portal, submitting notarized documents, paying the applicable fees, and receiving your documents back through courier service after the attestation is completed.

• Fees for individual documents range from AED 150, while commercial documents can cost up to AED 2000, plus additional courier fees.
• Non-English or non-Arabic documents must be translated by an approved translator from the UAE Ministry of Justice to be eligible for attestation.
• The MoFA attestation process typically takes 0–3 business days, with documents delivered by courier within the UAE or through the embassy/consulate for foreign documents.