MOFA Attestation Services in Dubai
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legalization
MOFA attestation is the final step in UAE document legalization—confirming that UAE Embassy stamps from abroad are genuine, completing the authentication chain for MOHRE, GDRFA, Dubai Courts, and all UAE authorities.
| Requirement | Before MOFA | After MOFA |
|---|---|---|
| Home country authentication | Required (notary/apostille) | Verified complete |
| UAE Embassy stamp | Required from origin country | Confirmed genuine |
| UAE authority acceptance | Document rejected | Document accepted |
| Processing time | - | 2-3 working days |
Why MOFA Attestation Rejections Happen
Documents arrive at MOFA missing required embassy stamps, or with embassy stamps from incorrect locations. MOHRE and GDRFA return documents that skip the MOFA step—no UAE government authority accepts foreign documents without the complete attestation chain. Embassy attestation alone is not sufficient. Documents attested by UAE Embassies more than 3 months prior may face additional scrutiny. Photocopies and scans are not accepted—only original documents with physical embassy stamps proceed through MOFA. The Arabic attestation stamp and unique MOFA serial number confirm document legitimacy to all downstream authorities. When you submit to MOHRE for employment visas, GDRFA for family visas, or Dubai Courts for legal proceedings, clerks verify the MOFA stamp before processing.
Documents Requiring MOFA Attestation
Personal documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance) for visa applications and family sponsorship. Educational documents (degrees, diplomas, transcripts) for employment visas and professional licensing. Commercial documents (company registration, power of attorney, board resolutions) for business transactions and corporate matters. Every foreign document intended for official UAE use must complete the MOFA step. Preserving the attestation chain means ensuring your document arrives at MOFA with all prerequisite stamps—home country authentication plus UAE Embassy attestation—in proper sequence.
Pre-MOFA Checklist
- Original document (not photocopy or scan)
- Home country notarization/authentication complete
- Apostille (if from Hague member country)
- UAE Embassy stamp from origin country
- Embassy attestation within 3 months (recommended)
- All pages of multi-page documents included
Our MOFA Service Process
We verify your documents have proper prerequisite attestation before MOFA submission—catching issues that would cause rejection. Physical submission to MOFA office in Dubai or Abu Dhabi with proper documentation and fee payment on your behalf. Real-time tracking throughout the 2-3 day processing period with status updates. Collection of attested documents and delivery to your location anywhere in UAE. For documents requiring Arabic translation, we coordinate translation after MOFA attestation so the translation reflects all attestation stamps. Complete end-to-end service from document receipt to final delivery—you focus on your business or visa application while we handle the attestation logistics.
MOFA Office Locations
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates attestation centers in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai MOFA is located in the Mankhool area, Al Maktoum Street. Operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Abu Dhabi MOFA is located in the Al Bateen area near the main MOFA building. Operating hours are Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Both locations handle all document types and attestations from any UAE Embassy worldwide. We submit to whichever location processes your documents fastest based on current queue volumes. Documents submitted in the morning are typically processed by the following business day. For same-day express service, early morning submission is essential. Collection is usually available 24-48 hours after submission, depending on workload.
MOFA Attestation Fees and Payment
MOFA attestation fees are standardized across all document types. Current fee structure applies per document submitted. Payment is made at the time of submission through the MOFA payment system. Fees apply regardless of document type or origin country—personal, educational, and commercial documents all follow the same fee schedule. Express same-day processing incurs additional fees. We handle all fee payments on your behalf and include them in our service quotation so you have complete cost transparency. Fee changes are implemented periodically by MOFA—we maintain current fee schedules and advise accordingly. Multiple documents submitted together may qualify for batch processing, potentially reducing per-document handling time.
After MOFA Attestation
Once MOFA attests your document, the complete attestation chain is finished. The document bears: home country authentication stamps (notary, ministry, apostille), UAE Embassy stamp, and the distinctive MOFA attestation stamp with Arabic text and unique serial number. This document is now accepted by all UAE authorities. For employment visas, submit to MOHRE for work permit processing. For family visas, submit to GDRFA or ICP for dependent visa sponsorship. For court proceedings, submit to Dubai Courts or relevant emirate courts for case filing. For professional licensing, submit to DHA, DOH, MOE, or relevant professional bodies. Most submissions also require MOJ-certified Arabic translation of the original document—we coordinate translation after MOFA so the translation references all attestation stamps appearing on the document.
What is MOFA Attestation?
Understanding the role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in document legalization.
Final UAE Verification
MOFA attestation confirms that the UAE Embassy stamp on your document is genuine, completing the authentication chain for use in UAE.
Government Recognition
Once MOFA attested, documents are accepted by all UAE government bodies, courts, and official institutions.
Processing Time
Standard MOFA processing takes 2-3 working days. Express same-day service available for urgent requirements.
Documents Requiring MOFA Attestation
Personal Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- Police clearance certificates
Educational Documents
- Degree certificates
- Diplomas
- Transcripts
- Professional licenses
- Training certificates
Commercial Documents
- Company registration
- Board resolutions
- Power of attorney
- Commercial contracts
- Export documents
The Complete Attestation Chain
MOFA is the final step in a multi-stage process.
Home Country Notarization
Document authenticated by relevant authority (notary, ministry, or apostille)
UAE Embassy Attestation
UAE Embassy in home country verifies the authentication
MOFA Attestation
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms embassy stamp validity
Our MOFA Service Includes
Document Review
Verify your documents have proper embassy attestation before MOFA submission
Fee Payment
Handle all MOFA fees on your behalf with complete transparency
Submission
Physical submission to MOFA office with proper documentation
Tracking
Real-time status updates throughout the processing period
Collection & Delivery
Collect attested documents and deliver to your location in UAE
Translation Support
MOJ-certified translation if required for Arabic documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit documents to MOFA without embassy attestation?
No. MOFA only attests documents that bear valid UAE Embassy stamps from the document's origin country. Documents submitted without proper embassy attestation are rejected. The complete chain is: home country authentication (notary, ministry, apostille) → UAE Embassy attestation → MOFA attestation. Skipping any step means rejection. Our document review confirms your document has all required stamps before MOFA submission.
What is the difference between MOFA attestation and MOFA legalization?
The terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to the same process: MOFA confirming that the UAE Embassy stamp on your document is genuine, thereby completing the attestation chain for UAE government acceptance. Some use "attestation" for the complete process and "legalization" specifically for the embassy step, but practically both terms describe MOFA's final verification role.
How do I know if my document is ready for MOFA submission?
Your document is ready for MOFA when it bears: (1) Original authentication from the home country (notary stamp, ministry attestation, or apostille depending on country), and (2) UAE Embassy attestation stamp from an embassy in the document's origin country. The embassy stamp should be clear and legible. Documents with embassy attestation older than 3 months may face additional scrutiny. When in doubt, send us a photo of your document via WhatsApp for verification.
How long does MOFA attestation take?
Standard MOFA processing takes 2-3 working days. Documents submitted before noon are typically ready for collection on the second or third business day. Same-day express service is available for urgent requirements—submit early morning and collect the same afternoon. Processing times may extend during peak periods (August-October employment visa season) or before major holidays. We provide realistic timeline estimates based on current MOFA workload.
Can I submit to any MOFA office or do I need to use a specific location?
You can submit to either Dubai MOFA or Abu Dhabi MOFA regardless of your residence emirate or document type. Both locations process all document types from any UAE Embassy worldwide. Choose based on convenience or queue times. We submit to whichever location offers faster processing based on current conditions. If you are submitting personally, choose the location closest to your home or office.
What happens if MOFA rejects my document?
MOFA rejection occurs when embassy attestation is invalid, expired, or the document lacks proper prerequisite authentication. Common reasons include: missing embassy stamp, unclear or damaged embassy seal, embassy attestation from wrong country, or expired document validity. When rejection occurs, MOFA returns the document with explanation. We review the issue, coordinate any re-attestation needed (which may require returning to the embassy step), and resubmit. Our pre-submission review catches most issues before MOFA submission.
Do I need translation before or after MOFA attestation?
Translation should be done after MOFA attestation. The MOJ-certified translation should reflect all attestation stamps appearing on the original document—including the MOFA stamp. If you translate before MOFA, the translation won't show the complete attestation chain and may need re-translation. We coordinate translation after MOFA completion so your translated document accurately represents the fully attested original.
Is MOFA attestation the same as apostille?
No. Apostille is the authentication method used between countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. MOFA attestation is the UAE government's final verification step that applies to all foreign documents regardless of whether they bear apostille or traditional authentication. Since UAE is not a Hague member, both apostilled and traditionally authenticated documents must complete the embassy and MOFA chain for UAE government acceptance.
Need MOFA Attestation?
Send your embassy-attested documents via WhatsApp. We'll verify completeness and process your MOFA attestation efficiently.