Moving to the UAE for work? Setting up a business in Dubai? Sponsoring family members? Your South African documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy before they'll be accepted. We handle the complete process from DIRCO to embassy.📞 087 001 0733 | ✉️ info@apostille.co.za[Contact Us for a Quote →]

Why UAE Requires Attestation

The United Arab Emirates is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means a DIRCO apostille alone is not sufficient—your documents must also be stamped by the UAE Embassy in Pretoria.UAE authorities are strict about document authentication. Whether you're applying for an employment visa, residence permit, or business licence, improperly attested documents will be rejected.Common situations requiring UAE attestation:

• Employment visa applications
• Family/dependent visa sponsorship
• Business setup and trade licences
• Property purchases
• School enrolment for children
• Marriage registration in UAE
• Opening bank accounts

How UAE Attestation Works

Documents follow a specific chain depending on their type:

Government Documents (Birth, Marriage, Police Clearance)

Original document from issuing authority
↓
DIRCO Authentication
↓
UAE Embassy Attestation

Notarised Documents (Powers of Attorney, Affidavits)

Notarisation by Notary Public
↓
High Court Authentication
↓
DIRCO Authentication
↓
UAE Embassy Attestation

Academic Qualifications

SAQA/Umalusi/QCTO Verification
↓
DIRCO Authentication
↓
UAE Embassy Attestation

Every step must be completed in sequence. Missing a step means rejection at the next stage.

Documents Commonly Required for the UAE

Personal Documents

Academic & Professional Documents

Business & Commercial Documents

What's Included in Our UAE Attestation Service

We provide a complete, managed service:

Document Review

• Check document type and condition
• Confirm the correct route for the UAE
• Identify any issues before submission

All Required Attendances

• Notary Public (if required)
• High Court (if required)
• DIRCO
• UAE Embassy in Pretoria

Administration

• Application forms and paperwork
• Embassy fee payments
• Status tracking throughout
• Secure document handling

Delivery

• Collection from the embassy
• Courier to you or office collection

No hidden charges. We quote upfront for the complete process.

UAE Attestation Pricing

Additional Costs (If Required)

Note: Embassy fees are set by the UAE Embassy and are subject to change without notice.[Get an Accurate Quote →]

Section 6: Processing Time

How Long Does UAE Attestation Take?

Factors that affect timing:

• Whether documents need notarisation first
• SAQA verification (adds 15-25 days for degrees)
• Embassy appointment availability
• Translation requirements

Start early. If you have a job offer or visa deadline, begin the process as soon as possible.

Important UAE Requirements

Police Clearance Validity
UAE typically requires police clearance certificates issued within 6 months. If yours is older, you may need to obtain a new one.

Degree Attestation for Employment
For work visas, your degree must match your job title. UAE authorities may reject applications where qualifications don't align with the position.

Birth Certificates for Dependents
Sponsoring family members require attested birth certificates to prove the relationship.

Arabic TranslationSome UAE authorities require Arabic translations, particularly for legal documents. We arrange certified translations through sworn translators.

Document Condition

• No laminated certificates (will be rejected)
• No damaged or altered documents
• Must be original or properly notarised copies

Typical UAE Attestation Packages

Employment Visa Package

Most UAE employers require:

• Police clearance certificate (attested)
• Degree or diploma (attested via SAQA)
• Sometimes: Birth certificate, marriage certificate

Family/Dependent Visa Package

Sponsoring spouse and children typically require:

• Marriage certificate (attested)
• Birth certificates for children (attested)
• Sometimes: Police clearance for spouse

Business Setup Package

Establishing a company in the UAE may require:

• Company registration documents (attested)
• Memorandum of Incorporation (attested)
• Board resolution (attested)
• Power of attorney (attested)
• Director ID copies (notarised and attested)

We offer package pricing for multiple documents. Contact us with your full requirements.

How It Works

Step 1: Contact Us

Tell us which documents you need attested and why (employment, family visa, business, etc.). Send scans if available.

Step 2: We Confirm Requirements
We verify the exact route for each document and provide a detailed quote with timeline.

Step 3: Send Your Documents
Courier original documents to our Pretoria office. We confirm receipt within 24 hours.

Step 4: We Handle Everything

• Notarisation (if needed)
• High Court (if needed)
• DIRCO authentication
• UAE Embassy submission and collection

Step 5: Receive Attested Documents
We courier your fully attested documents to you, or you collect from our office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to visit the UAE Embassy myself?
No. We attend on your behalf for submission and collection.

Can you help if I'm already in the UAE?
Yes. Have your documents couriered to us in Pretoria. We process them and courier the attested documents to you in UAE.Is UAE part of the Hague Convention?No. UAE requires full embassy attestation, not just an apostille.

How long is the UAE attestation valid?
The attestation itself doesn't expire, but underlying documents like police clearance must typically be issued within 6 months of your visa application.

Do all my documents need Arabic translation?
Not always. It depends on the specific authority in UAE. We'll advise based on your situation.

What if my degree is from a private college not registered with SAQA?
It follows the notarisation route (Notary → High Court → DIRCO → UAE Embassy). Contact us to confirm.

Can you obtain documents for me as well?
Yes. We can apply for police clearance, unabridged certificates, and SAQA verification on your behalf.

Get Your Documents Attested for the UAE

Don't risk delays or rejection. We've processed hundreds of UAE attestations and know exactly what's required. Contact us with your document list and we'll provide a complete quote.[Contact Us →]Get in touch:

• 📞 087 001 0733
• 💬 WhatsApp
• ✉️ info@apostille.co.za

Related Pages

• Embassy Attestation – Overview for all non-Hague countries
• Police Clearance – Obtain and attest
• Academic Qualifications – SAQA verification + attestation
• Qatar Attestation – Similar process
• China Attestation – Similar process