Tasheel Rejected Translation: Missing Stamp Explained

You took half the morning off work. You drove to the Tasheel centre. You waited in line. You handed over your documents. The person behind the counter flipped through them, looked up, and said: “The translation is missing a stamp. We can’t process this.”

You drove home. The morning was wasted. The application is delayed. All because of a stamp.

What Tasheel checks

Tasheel service centres process applications for MOHRE, work permits, labour cards, and employment-related submissions. Common documents include degree certificates, experience letters, and employment contracts. Every translated document goes through a quick visual check at the counter:

• MOJ translator stamp. The physical stamp showing the translator’s name, MOJ license number, and registration. This is the one most commonly missing.
• Translator’s signature. Must match the name on the stamp.
• Active license number. Some counters check whether the license number is current. Expired licenses are rejected.
• Attestation stamps on the original. If the original document required attestation, those stamps must be visible. No attestation, no processing.

The three reasons stamps go missing

Reason 1: The translation isn’t MOJ-certified. This is the most common issue. The document was translated by a certified translator without MOJ registration. The translation might be accurate, but without the MOJ stamp, Tasheel won’t accept it. You need a new translation by an MOJ-licensed translator. And as the MOJ moves toward digital verification, the way stamps are checked is changing too.

Reason 2: The stamp was on a different page. Some translations span multiple pages. The stamp and signature are usually on the last page. If pages got separated or a middle page was submitted without the stamped page, it looks incomplete at the counter.

Reason 3: The license has expired. MOJ licenses are renewed periodically. If the translation was done months ago and the translator’s license has since expired, some Tasheel counters flag it. The translation itself may still be valid, but the expired license creates uncertainty.

How to prevent the wasted trip

Before you leave home: Check every translated document. Look for the MOJ stamp, the translator’s signature, and a license number. If you don’t see all three, the document isn’t ready for Tasheel.

Keep all pages together. Staple or clip the translation to the original. Tasheel needs to see both. The original with attestation stamps and the translation with the MOJ stamp. Don’t separate them.

Check the original too. If your original document needs attestation: apostille or MOFA stamps, verify those are present. Tasheel checks the original and the translation as a set.

Ask your PRO. If your company has a PRO handling the submission, they should check everything before going to Tasheel. A good PRO catches missing stamps before they become wasted trips. If your PRO didn’t catch it, that’s a process issue worth raising. Stamp and wording problems aren’t limited to Tasheel either. Even a lost Emirates ID replacement can get stuck when the police app generates a report the typing centre won’t accept.

The “come back tomorrow” culture

Every expat in the UAE has heard “come back tomorrow” at least once. For translation issues, “come back tomorrow” is avoidable. The stamp check takes 10 seconds at home. If something’s missing, we can fix it the same day in most cases.

If Tasheel rejected your translation or you want to check your documents before making the trip, send them on WhatsApp: +971 50 862 0217. We’ll confirm whether they’re ready or flag what’s missing.