Canada became the 125th country to join the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024. This replaced the old double-authentication process with a single apostille certificate. Provincial vital statistics offices, educational institutions, and federal bodies like RCMP now have their documents apostilled rather than going through multiple authentication layers.
Canada Document Attestation in Dubai
Hague Apostille Process (2024)
Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, changing how Canadian documents are authenticated for international use. For UAE purposes, this simplifies the Canadian steps but does not eliminate UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation requirements.
The Canadian Attestation Chain (2024)
- Provincial/Federal Apostille — Single-step Canadian authentication
- UAE Embassy Ottawa — Embassy legalization (still required for UAE)
- MOFA UAE — Final attestation for UAE government acceptance
Critical: UAE Is Not a Hague Member
A Canadian apostille alone is NOT sufficient for UAE use. You still need UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation after the apostille.
Provincial vs Federal Documents
- Provincial apostille — Birth, marriage, death certificates, degrees (Ontario, BC, Alberta)
- Federal apostille (GAC) — RCMP police clearance, federal court orders, federal agency documents
Processing Timeline
10-14 business days for the complete chain. Canadian apostille (5-10 days) + UAE Embassy Ottawa (3-5 days) + MOFA UAE (1-3 days). We coordinate the entire process including Arabic translation.
Hague Member since January 2024
10-14 Days complete chain processing
Provincial Apostilles varies by document type
Full Service Canada and UAE steps
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How it works
1
Send Your Document
WhatsApp your Canadian document. We identify whether you need a provincial or federal apostille and outline the complete attestation chain for your document type.
2
Canadian Apostille
Document is apostilled by the appropriate Canadian authority: provincial government for provincial documents, or Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for federal documents.
3
UAE Embassy Attestation
UAE Embassy in Ottawa or consulate attests the apostilled document. This is still required because UAE is not a Hague member.
4
MOFA UAE & Translation
MOFA in UAE completes the attestation chain. We then provide MOJ-certified Arabic translation so your document is ready for submission.
Canadian Degrees & Diplomas
University degrees, college diplomas, professional certifications (CPA, P.Eng), and academic transcripts attested for employment visas and licensing in UAE.
Canadian Vital Records
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, and death certificates attested for UAE family visa, legal recognition, and official submissions.
RCMP Police Clearance
Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) certificates from RCMP attested for UAE employment visa, residency applications, and professional licensing.
The Canadian Apostille Process (New 2024)
Provincial governments apostille documents they issue: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and educational credentials from provincial institutions. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) apostilles federal documents: RCMP police clearances, federal court orders, and documents from federal agencies. Knowing which authority to approach is the first step.
Since UAE is NOT a Hague member, the chain is: Canadian Apostille → UAE Embassy Attestation → MOFA UAE Attestation → Translation. The apostille simplifies step one, but UAE Embassy and MOFA are still required. Do not skip these steps thinking the apostille is sufficient for UAE.
Documents by Province
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from ServiceOntario. Educational documents from Ontario universities and colleges. Apostilled by the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery.
Vital statistics certificates from BC Vital Statistics Agency. Educational credentials from BC institutions. Apostilled by the BC Ministry of Citizens Services.
Civil status documents from Directeur de l'état civil. Educational documents from Quebec universities and CEGEPs. Note: Quebec documents may be in French and require translation to Arabic.
Vital statistics from Alberta Vital Statistics. Educational credentials from Alberta post-secondary institutions. Apostilled by Service Alberta.
Each province has its own apostille authority for documents it issues. Contact your provincial government or ask us for guidance on the specific authority for your document.
Common Canadian Documents
Provincial vital statistics birth certificates for family visa sponsorship, citizenship applications, and official UAE records. Must be official copies (not commemorative versions).
Provincial marriage certificates for spouse visa, family status, and legal recognition in UAE. Both civil and religious marriage certificates can be apostilled if registered with provincial authorities.
Degrees from Canadian universities for employment visa, professional licensing, and equivalency applications. Official transcripts may also be required. Apostilled by the province where the institution is located.
Criminal record check from RCMP (Canadian Police Information Centre) for employment visa and UAE residency. This is a federal document apostilled by Global Affairs Canada, not provincial authorities.
Certificates of incorporation, articles of association, and corporate resolutions. Federal corporations use GAC apostille; provincial corporations use provincial apostille.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canada accept apostille now?
Yes. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024. This is a significant change from the old process. Canadian documents can now receive an apostille from provincial or federal authorities, simplifying the first steps of international authentication. However, for UAE use, embassy attestation is still required.
Where do I get a Canadian apostille?
It depends on your document type. Provincial documents (birth/marriage certificates, educational credentials) are apostilled by the provincial government. Federal documents (RCMP police clearance, federal court orders) are apostilled by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). We advise on the correct authority for your specific document.
Do I still need UAE Embassy attestation?
Yes. Because the UAE is NOT a member of the Hague Convention, UAE Embassy attestation is still required after the Canadian apostille. The apostille simplifies the Canadian authentication step, but does not eliminate UAE requirements. Your document needs: Canadian apostille → UAE Embassy → MOFA UAE.
What about documents issued before 2024?
Documents issued before January 2024 can still receive an apostille. The apostille confirms the document is genuine as of the date it was issued. There is no requirement that the document was issued after Canada joined the Hague Convention.
How long does the full process take?
Canadian apostille takes 5-10 business days depending on the issuing authority. UAE Embassy attestation in Ottawa takes 3-5 business days. MOFA UAE takes 1-3 business days. Total time is typically 10-14 business days. Rush services are available at some steps.
Can you coordinate the UAE steps for me?
Yes. Once your document has a Canadian apostille, we coordinate UAE Embassy attestation, MOFA attestation, and translation. You can send the apostilled document to us in Dubai, or our partners can handle the Ottawa embassy step before forwarding to UAE.
Do I need translation for MOFA?
MOFA does not require translation for attestation—they attest the original document. However, the UAE authority you are ultimately submitting to (immigration, court, employer) typically requires Arabic translation. We provide MOJ-certified translation after attestation is complete.
What is different from the old process?
Before January 2024, Canadian documents required a longer authentication chain: provincial authentication → Global Affairs Canada → UAE Embassy → MOFA. The apostille now replaces the first two steps with a single apostille certificate. This saves time and simplifies the process.
Need Canadian Document Attestation?
Send your Canadian document via WhatsApp. We advise on the apostille authority, coordinate UAE attestation, and provide certified translation for your submission.
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