MOJ Translation Required: Why Friend's Advice Was Wrong

Everyone knows someone who “got their visa done last month” and is now an expert on UAE paperwork. The advice flows freely in WhatsApp groups, Facebook forums, and office break rooms. Unfortunately, much of it is confidently wrong.

Here are five things people regularly get wrong about translation and attestation in the UAE. Each one costs real time and real money when you show up at the counter with the wrong documents.

Myth 1: “Certified and MOJ-certified are the same thing”

They’re not. A certified translation is any translation where the translator signs a declaration confirming accuracy. An MOJ-certified translation is done by a translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice. It carries the MOJ license number, official stamp, and signature.

Government entities. GDRFA, MOHRE, Dubai Courts, ADJD, require MOJ. Private companies and banks accept certified without MOJ. The terms sound similar, which is why the confusion persists.

Myth 2: “I got my translation done in India, it’ll work here”

It won’t. UAE government entities require translations done by MOJ-licensed translators in the UAE. A sworn translation from India, UK, Germany, or anywhere else is not recognized. You need a new translation done locally, even if the original was perfectly accurate.

This one costs people the most time. They arrive in the UAE with their documents already “translated” and discover they need to pay for the same translation again.

Myth 3: “Attestation and translation are the same step”

They’re separate steps done in a specific order. Attestation proves the document is genuine (apostille or embassy chain). Translation converts it to Arabic. Attestation first, then translation. The translator includes the attestation details in the Arabic version.

If you translate first and attest later, you’ll need to translate again because the first translation won’t show the attestation stamps.

Myth 4: “My document is already in English, so no translation needed”

For government submissions, Arabic is required regardless of whether the original is in English. MOHRE, GDRFA, Dubai Courts, and other government entities work in Arabic. Your perfectly clear English degree certificate still needs MOJ Arabic translation before they’ll process it.

The exception: some free zones accept English-only documents for internal processes. But the moment anything leaves the free zone bubble: court enforcement, MOHRE escalation, mainland interactions, Arabic is mandatory.

Myth 5: “The typing centre handles everything”

Typing centres handle form filling and submission. Some also offer translation. But not all typing centres have MOJ-licensed translators. A translation from an unlicensed typing centre translator will be rejected by any government entity that checks the MOJ registration.

If you use a typing centre for translation, ask for the translator’s MOJ license number. You can verify it by calling the MOJ hotline at 800 333333.

Why the myths persist

Requirements change. What worked for your friend two years ago may not work today. Different visa categories have different requirements. What worked for a work permit doesn’t necessarily work for a family visa. And different government counters apply rules differently: one officer might overlook something another officer rejects.

The safest approach: check the specific requirements for your specific document and your specific submission. If you’re not sure, send your documents on WhatsApp: +971 50 862 0217. We’ll tell you exactly what’s needed for your situation.