In the UAE, most commercial and legal activities rely on specific documentation. These documents are a requirement for completing procedures such as business setup in Dubai, visa applications, setting legal structures of companies, and opening commercial banking accounts. If you plan to perform any legal processes, you must have copies of trade licenses, visas, birth certificates, and educational documents, to name a few.
To secure visas, apply for business licenses, or form a company, certain documents will need to be attested or ‘proved’ in a legally binding sense. To have your documents attested, you’ll need to consult with government authorities, such as MOFA Attestation UAE, the UAE Ministry of External Affairs, or the UAE Ministry of Justice, depending on your needs and the governing agency.
For many foreign investors, navigating this terrain can be tricky. Understanding where to go may prove challenging if you’re unfamiliar with UAE legal processes. As such, many entrepreneurs seek the help of third-party business consultants in Dubai.
Types of Attestation Services
Since the need for attestation covers a wide range of legal processes, it can be confusing to figure out what type of service you require. Below, we’ve put together some of the various attestation services, what they cover, and what you need to know about them.
1. MEA Attestation in Dubai
If you expect to travel to the UAE from India to conduct business, you’ll need to have your documentation attested by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In most cases, the attestation must be performed by authorities within your home nation. Educational documents will need to be authenticated by academic authorities, and commercial documents will need to be processed through the Chamber of Commerce. Once these respective authorities have stamped the documents with their approval, the UAE Ministry of External Affairs will complete the attestation process.
2. MOFA Attestation in Dubai
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or MOFA, is the governing body for attesting documents in the UAE. This attestation service covers all documents issued inside or outside of the UAE and is extended to citizens, residents, investors, students, tourists, and more.
3. Embassy/Consulate Attestation
To present your documentation to the MEA, the government requires all personal, educational, and professional documents to be attested by your local embassy.
Attestation Services in the UAE
Attestation of documents can be quite a challenge since it’s often not a simple black-and-white process. Some factors and circumstances make it necessary to have the help of business audit services in Dubai. Business consultants have significant connections to various government authorities and are experienced in helping foreign investors make sense of the process. These experts can help with the following:
1. Educational Documents
Business consultants in Dubai are skilled at interfacing with the Department of Education and can help you attest educational documentation for all levels of education.
2. Personal Certificates
Personal documents such as awards, birth certificates, visas, and identifications must also be attested.
3. Commercial Documents
Business formation in the UAE requires a ton of paperwork. Luckily, business consultants can help you gather the necessary information to be attested.
4. Outbound Documents
Attestation services are a great way to streamline the process if you send documentation abroad to other government agencies.
The Many Benefits of Seeking Attestation Services
There is a wide range of advantages to having a service that helps you handle the verification of essential documents. Let’s take a look at just a few:
• Document attestation provides security
Whether you’re applying for a business license or completing visa applications and legal proceedings, properly attesting your documents is a great way to ensure the information is secure and safe from being stolen or used without your knowledge.
• Ease of obtaining residences and facilities
By having attested documents, you can quickly apply for and secure physical residences, including homes, offices, and business establishments.
• International recognition
If you are moving or opening an international business, attestation allows government authorities to quickly recognize your identity and the veracity of your paperwork.
• Transparent purposes
By having attested documents, your goals and purposes are directly stated to the relevant authorities, removing any doubt about your identity and objectives.
And when working with consulting experts such as MSZ Consultancy, you’ll be able to enjoy even more benefits, like:
• Prompt, reliable services
Many legal processes are handled on tight deadlines, and staying abreast of these dates is integral to operating a successful business in the UAE.
• Safe handling of original documents
Since most attestation procedures will require copies of essential documents, keeping them in good condition is crucial.
• Quick turnaround
MSZ can help you process attestation documents in the shortest time possible while ensuring minimal expenses.
Our Attestation Process
MSZ Consultancy is dedicated to making attestation easy, straightforward, and hassle-free. Below, we’ve put together some crucial information and documentation you’ll need to have handy.
Important Documents required for UAE attestation
- Copies of Passports
- Original Certificates
Educational certificates:
- To acquire a work visa/work card for the majority of the assignment.
- To seek advanced education in the UAE.
- To compose MOH (Ministry of Health) and DOH (Dept. of Health) assessments by specialists, medical caretakers, drug specialists, lab professionals, and so forth.
- To get the proportional authentications.
Non-educational certificates:
- To get a residence visa for spouses, children, and in-laws.
- For admission purposes in school (using a Transfer Certificate).
Commercial documents (Power of Attorney / Memorandum or Article of Association):
- To get the right to sell properties in the home country.
- For the removal of an LLC partnership.
- To open a bank account.
- Company registration.
- Procedures of UAE attestation depend on the form of certificate to be attested.
For educational documents:
- HRD (human resource department)/ SDM (sub-divisional magistrate).
- MEA (ministry of external affairs).
- UAE embassy attestation.
- MOFA (ministry of foreign affairs).
For non-educational documents:
- Notary attestation.
- MEA (ministry of external affairs).
- UAE embassy attestation
- MOFA (ministry of foreign affairs).
For commercial documents:
- Attestation from chamber of commerce.
- MEA (ministry of external affairs).
- UAE embassy attestation.
- MOFA (ministry of foreign affairs).
For security, these documents will undergo sealing and signing by the relevant authorities. After this process is completed, ex-pats are now eligible to travel to the UAE, and all documentation is considered entirely legitimate. UAE attestation procedures will need to be completed from the home nation where the document originated.
What is an Apostille, and is it the Same as MEA Attestation?
An apostille authenticates seals, signatures, and personal documents such as birth certificates, FBI reports, transcripts, and more. However, apostilles and attestations differ in specific ways. For example, an apostille is performed after the state has verified the documents. Additionally, apostilles are accepted by embassies that are members of the Hague Convention, an international treaty that provides an easy, straightforward set of legal practices.
The Cost of Attestation Services
Attestation services are designed to be affordable, with standardized rates that are applicable for each type of document. In most cases, you can expect attestation costs to be roughly AED 2,000 per document.
How MSZ Consultancy Can Help You with Attestation
No matter your business, having experienced business consultants in Dubai is invaluable. Navigating the terrain of conducting legal activities can be tricky, even for the savviest of foreign investors. And that’s why it’s crucial to find the right accountants and advisors in Dubai. From business registration to trade licenses, attestation, and apostille processing, we do it all!
Are you interested in business setup services in Dubai? We can handle that! Are you seeking the help of PRO services for handling necessary renewals and government interfacing? We do that, as well!
Whether you’re a single investor or part of a larger corporation, we have the skills, experience, and connections to help you succeed! Give us a call today at +971 52 544 1248 for a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When it comes to attesting documents for travel or business formation in Dubai, understanding the process and the requirements can be tricky. So, to help you make sense of the attestation process, we’ve answered a few popular questions we receive:
How much time will it take for MEA document attestation?
Having a timeframe is important when submitting important documents. In most cases, the MEA attestation process will take between 10 and 12 business days. This timeframe may vary based on the region and document type.
Why is attestation compulsory in the UAE?
The UAE requires document attestation to verify the identity of the individual and the accuracy of their information. It’s often used for larger legal processes, such as government work, traveling abroad, and forming a business.
Is using a business consultancy safe for protecting your documents?
Yes! We understand that your original documents are incredibly important. As such, MSZ’s highly trained, reliable, and prestigious business experts will handle your documentation carefully, ensuring that everything is returned to you safely.
Is it okay if some of my documents are laminated?
In most cases, you will want to refrain from having any important documents laminated. However, if you do have laminated documents, we’ll carefully remove the laminate to not damage any documentation. Attestation stamps will be placed on a non-laminated part of the document.
Do you provide delivery services?
Yes! We provide fast, reliable collection and delivery services anywhere in the Emirates, ensuring that you can submit and receive your documents safely and securely.
