Typing Centre Holding Documents: How to Get Them Back

Your wife’s visa application is pending. You gave the typing centre her passport, marriage certificate, and attested degree three weeks ago. They said “two to three days.” Now they’re not answering calls. You can’t apply anywhere else because they have the originals.

Why this happens

Typing centres are intermediaries. They take your documents, type applications into government portals, and submit on your behalf. The problem is transparency. Once your originals are with them:

• You have no visibility into where your application stands
• You can’t check government portals yourself (the typing centre logged in under their credentials)
• You can’t take your documents elsewhere if things stall
• Calling gets you “it’s in process” with no specifics

This is different from a typing centre overcharging. This is a typing centre holding your documents hostage to the timeline they control.

Translation doesn’t need originals

For certificate translation specifically, you never need to hand over original documents. A clear photo or scan is all a translator needs. The MOJ-certified translation is issued as a separate document. Your originals never leave your hands.

The only processes that require physical originals are certain government submissions (visa stamping, ID biometrics). For everything else, translation, attestation verification, document checking, scans work.

If you’re already stuck

1. Visit the typing centre in person. Phone calls are easy to ignore; a person at the counter is harder.
2. Ask for a specific timeline and the application reference number. If they can’t provide a reference number, the application may not have been submitted.
3. If they refuse to return documents, file with DED consumer protection (600 545555 or the Dubai Consumer app).

For translation, skip the typing centre entirely. Send your documents on WhatsApp: +971 50 862 0217. Photo of your document in, certified translation out. Your originals stay with you.