How to Attest Documents in India for UAE Visa?

To work legally in the UAE, Indian citizens must have their educational, personal, and professional documents attested by multiple authorities. This process confirms that your documents are genuine and valid for use abroad, and is required by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for your work visa approval.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Documents Attested in India for UAE Work Visa:

1. Identify the Required Documents

Depending on your job, you may need to attest:

• Educational certificates (degree/diploma/mark sheets)

• Personal documents (passport copy, birth certificate, marriage certificate)

• Professional documents (experience letter, employment contract)

• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

For most skilled jobs, degree certificate attestation is mandatory.

2. Get Notarization (if required)

• First, some documents (especially affidavits or translations) may need to be notarized by a local Notary Public.

3. Attestation from State Authorities

• Educational documents: Must be attested by the State Education Department (of the university/institution's state).

• Personal documents: Must be attested by the Home Department or General Administration Department (GAD) of the issuing state.

This is often the most time-consuming step.

4. MEA Attestation (Ministry of External Affairs, India)

• After state attestation, submit documents to the MEA for final authentication.

• The MEA adds its official stamp or sticker confirming the document’s authenticity.

5. UAE Embassy Attestation in India

• Once MEA attestation is done, the documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in India.

• This confirms the UAE recognizes the Indian attestation process.

6. MOFA Attestation in UAE (Final Step)

• Once you arrive in the UAE or through a representative, your documents must be submitted to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for final attestation.

• This step validates your documents for legal and employment use within the UAE.

Optional: Use an Attestation Agent

• You can hire authorized attestation agencies in India who will handle the entire process end-to-end.

• This is common, as it saves time and avoids errors. Ensure the agent is MEA-authorized and provides a tracking system.

Time Required:

• Entire process may take 7 to 20 working days, depending on the document type and state.

Estimated Cost:

• Individual fees vary by state, agent, and urgency. Expect:

o ₹3,000–₹6,000 for full document attestation

o More for urgent or premium services

Summary:

To get your documents attested in India for a UAE work visa, you must go through state-level verification, MEA attestation, UAE embassy attestation, and finally MOFA in the UAE. Using a professional attestation service is often recommended for speed and accuracy.