What is MOFA Attestation in the UAE and Why Is It Important?
If you’re living in the UAE or planning to move there, you may have heard about MOFA Attestation. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter?
In this guide, we’ll explain:
✔ What MOFA Attestation is
✔ Why it’s required in the UAE
✔ Which documents need it
✔ How to get it done quickly
What is MOFA Attestation?
MOFA stands for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. MOFA Attestation is the final step in legalizing foreign documents for use in the UAE.
It confirms that:
✅ Your documents have already been verified by your home country
✅ They are genuine and legally valid in the UAE
Without MOFA Attestation, your documents won’t be accepted by UAE government offices, employers, or universities.
Why is MOFA Attestation Important?
- Required for UAE Visa Processing
- Work visas
- Family residence visas
- Student visas
- Needed for Official Transactions
- Opening a bank account
- Getting a driver’s license
- Registering a business
- Mandatory for Legal Matters
- Court cases
- Property purchases
- Marriage registrations
📌 Example: If you have an Indian degree certificate, it must first be attested by the Indian government and UAE Embassy before getting MOFA Attestation in the UAE.
Which Documents Require MOFA Attestation?
- Personal Documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage/divorce certificates
- Police clearance certificates (PCC)
- Educational Documents
- Degree/diploma certificates
- School reports
- Professional licenses
- Commercial Documents
- Company registration papers
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Power of Attorney (POA)
Step-by-Step MOFA Attestation Process
Step 1: Home Country Attestation
Your documents must first be attested by:
- Notary → State Government → Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) → UAE Embassy in your home country.
Step 2: MOFA Attestation in UAE
Once you arrive in the UAE:
- Submit documents to a MOFA-approved typing center
- Pay fees (AED 150–300 per document)
- Receive MOFA stamp (takes 1–2 working days)
📌 Pro Tip: Some documents may need Arabic translation before MOFA attestation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Skipping home country attestation – MOFA only accepts documents already attested by the UAE Embassy.
🚫 Using expired documents – Some certificates (like PCC) must be less than 3 months old.
🚫 Missing Arabic translations – Required for non-English documents.
🚫 Choosing unverified agents – Always check MOFA-approved service centers.
MOFA Attestation Fees (2025 Update)
| Document Type | Approximate Cost (AED) |
| Personal (Birth/Marriage) | 150–250 |
| Educational (Degree) | 200–350 |
| Commercial (Company Papers) | 300–500 |
(Urgent processing costs extra)
FAQs About MOFA Attestation
Q1. Can I do MOFA Attestation myself?
Yes, but using an approved typing center saves time and avoids errors.
Q2. How long is MOFA Attestation valid?
Most documents don’t expire, but PCC must be renewed every 3 months.
Q3. What if my documents are rejected?
Check for missing attestations or translation errors and resubmit.
Q4. Can I get MOFA Attestation outside the UAE?
No, it must be done inside the UAE after arrival.
Q5. Is MOFA Attestation required for all nationalities?
Yes, all foreigners need it for official UAE transactions.
Need Fast MOFA Attestation?
We provide:
✔ Same-day processing (Urgent cases)
✔ Free document pickup (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)
✔ WhatsApp updates at every step
📞 Call Now: +971-562777117
💬 WhatsApp: Click
🌐 Visit: Click
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