Relocating to the UAE requires careful planning, especially when it comes to attesting your documents. This process ensures that authorities legally recognize your documents in the UAE, which is crucial for employment, obtaining a residence visa, enrolling in schools, and more. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about document attestation for a smooth move to the UAE.
What is Document Attestation?
Document attestation is the process of verifying the authenticity of a document issued in another country. This process validates that the document is genuine and can be legally recognized in the UAE.
Why is Attestation Required?
Attestation is essential for several reasons:
- Employment: Before your employment is confirmed and an employment visa issued, you need to attest your professional qualifications and other relevant documents.
- Legal Recognition: Attestation verifies the authenticity of your documents, ensuring they are legally recognized in the UAE.
- Various Applications: This process is necessary for enrolling in schools, opening a business, applying for a residence visa, and more.
Documents That May Need Attestation
Here is a list of common documents that may require attestation when relocating to the UAE:
- Degree Certificate
- Professional Qualification
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Clearance Report
- Medical Report
- Power of Attorney
The Attestation Process
The attestation process generally involves three main steps:
- Notarization of Documents First, you need to certify certain documents, such as professional qualifications and degree certificates, with a notary public in your home country. You may not need this step for documents already prepared and signed by a legal official, like birth or marriage certificates.
- Apostille Certificate After notarization, you need to obtain an Apostille Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country. In the UK, for example, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) attaches an Apostille certificate to verify the signature of the legal official who signed the document. This process typically costs around £30 per document and takes 2 to 10 working days using the standard service.
- UAE Embassy Attestation Finally, present your documents, with the Apostille certificate, to the UAE embassy or consulate in your home country. You can usually complete this step for a cost between £30 and £50 per document, and it can be finished within one working day. You might also need to present your documents to the UAE embassy for final approval after you arrive in the UAE.
Should You Get Your Documents Attested Before Arriving in the UAE?
You should get your documents attested in your home country, as it will be quicker and less expensive. However, if you’re already in the UAE, you can use the attestation services provided in government customer happiness centers. You will need an international courier service to send documents back to the country where they were issued.
Conclusion
Document attestation is a crucial step in the process of relocating to the UAE. By following this guide, you can properly attest your documents and have them legally recognized, ensuring a smooth transition to life in the UAE.
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