Most European long-stay visas want UAE-issued documents to carry an attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This covers police certificates, marriage and birth certificates, and experience letters. The process has two stages:
- The authority that issued the document attests it first.
- MOFA then attests it online through its website or app using UAE PASS. It costs AED 150 per personal document, and the courier takes 1 to 3 working days.
The UAE is not part of the Apostille Convention, so a UAE document cannot be apostilled. MOFA attestation, sometimes followed by the European embassy’s own legalisation, is the route instead.
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MOFA FAQs, the Netherlands Worldwide list of Apostille Convention countries, and the Spanish and Portuguese visa checklists for the UAE. Rules depend on where the document was issued, not on your passport.
Which documents need MOFA attestation?
| Document | Issued by | Usually asked for |
|---|---|---|
| Police clearance certificate | Ministry of Interior or emirate police | Almost every residence visa (Portugal, Spain, Germany freelance, family visas) |
| Marriage certificate | UAE court or judicial department | Family visas and spouse applications |
| Birth certificate | Ministry of Health (MOHAP) or local health authority | Children’s visas |
| Experience certificate | Employer, then Chamber of Commerce or the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE) | Spain digital nomad visa; degree recognition |
| Employment contract and bank statements | Employer / bank | Portugal D8 digital nomad visa |
| Medical certificate | UAE clinic or hospital | Spain non-lucrative visa |
| School certificates | School / Emirates Schools Establishment / Ministry of Education | School admission abroad |
| UAE university degree | University, then the Ministry of Higher Education | Jobs, recognition, study |
How to get MOFA attestation: step by step
- Get the original document in English or Arabic. Do not laminate it.
- Have the issuing authority attest it if required, for example the Chamber of Commerce for an experience letter.
- Apply on the MOFA website or the UAE MOFA app, logging in with UAE PASS. MOFA has no walk-in service centres.
- Pay AED 150 per personal document, plus courier: AED 40 for normal delivery (about 3 working days) or AED 150 for express (about 1 working day), excluding VAT.
- Get a sworn or certified translation into the language the embassy wants, after attestation.
- Add the embassy’s legalisation if required. Some European missions legalise MOFA-attested documents themselves. Check the visa checklist.
Faster for some documents: MOFA attests birth certificates issued through MOHAP and certificates from the Emirates Schools Establishment digitally at the time they are issued. For use abroad, this costs AED 150 for MOFA plus AED 150 for the UAE embassy.
What European embassies in the UAE ask for
| Country | What the official UAE checklist says |
|---|---|
| Spain | UAE police and medical certificates must be legalised by UAE MOFA and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Experience certificates come from the Chamber of Commerce or MOHRE, then MOFA, then a sworn translation. |
| Portugal | The police clearance must carry a UAE MOFA stamp. For the D8 visa, the employment contract and the last 3 months of bank statements must also be MOFA-stamped. |
| Germany | Documents not in German or English need translations, and originals must be submitted with them. Legalisation depends on the document. |
| Netherlands | Follow the IND letter and Netherlands Worldwide guidance on legalising UAE documents. |
Documents from your home country are different
UAE MOFA only attests UAE-issued documents for use abroad. If your degree or birth certificate was issued in India, Pakistan or the Philippines, all of which belong to the Apostille Convention, get an apostille in that country for use in Europe. Do not route it through the UAE. If your home country is not in the convention, it needs legalisation through that country’s foreign ministry and the European country’s embassy there.
Attestations made earlier for UAE use (home country, then UAE embassy, then UAE MOFA) prove the document to the UAE, not to Europe. European missions may still ask for an apostille from the issuing country.
Tips that save time
- Attest before you resign or cancel your visa. UAE PASS and many issuing authorities need an active Emirates ID.
- Check validity periods. Spain wants marriage certificates issued within 6 months for dependants, and police certificates are usually valid for 3 to 6 months.
- Attest first, then translate. The translation should include the attestation stamps.
- Keep the courier receipts and MOFA reference numbers in case an embassy asks you to verify.
Questions people ask
Can I get an apostille in the UAE?
No. The UAE is not a member of the Apostille Convention, so UAE documents are attested by MOFA and, if needed, legalised by the destination country’s embassy.
How much does MOFA attestation cost?
AED 150 per personal document, plus courier from AED 40 (normal) or AED 150 (express).
Where is the MOFA attestation office in Dubai?
There is no walk-in office. You apply online through the MOFA website or app with UAE PASS, and documents are collected and returned by courier.
Does my Indian degree need UAE MOFA attestation for Europe?
No. Get an apostille in India instead. UAE MOFA attestation only proves the document to the UAE.
How long does MOFA attestation take?
About 1 working day with express courier and 3 working days with normal courier. Digital attestations of birth and school certificates can take minutes.
Related guides
- UAE police clearance certificate for immigration
- Leaving the UAE for Europe: the complete checklist
- Spain digital nomad and non-lucrative visa from the UAE
- Portugal D7 and digital nomad visa from the UAE
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Attestation FAQs, fees and courier
- Netherlands Worldwide: Apostille Convention countries (the UAE is not listed)
- Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi: Digital nomad visa (legalisation rules); BLS UAE: Non-lucrative checklist
- VFS Global Portugal UAE: D7 checklist
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications or sell visa services. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 4 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.