Embassies, Consulates and Document Attestation

Finding the right mission

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Foreign missions accredited to the UAE; UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: UAE missions abroad; UAE Government Portal: Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE; UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: FAQs^4,6,8,1

Foreign embassies are based in Abu Dhabi, the capital, and some countries also keep a consulate in Dubai. Saudi Arabia, for example, has its embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai. Larger countries often host several UAE missions: in India there is the UAE embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kerala.^5,7

Attesting documents issued abroad

• Have the original attested by the foreign ministry of the country that issued it. In the UK, for example, that is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
• Have it attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in that same country, applying through the MOFA website or app. A UAE mission only attests documents issued in its own country.
• Complete the attestation in the UAE through the MOFA website or the UAE MOFA app.

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: FAQs; UAE Embassy in London: Attestation information^1,3

Many UAE missions now offer digital attestation: you sign in with UAE Pass, apply and pay online, and an approved service provider collects the original. The process can take up to seven business days, and you receive the attested copy by email.^2,3

If an application is rejected, the attestation fee is refunded but the service and delivery fee is not. Check each mission's rules before you send documents.³

MOFA attestation fees

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: FAQs¹

A commercial contract may count as several documents depending on its content. The total is shown before you pay.^1,2

Before you travel

• GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE.
• Citizens of several other countries can get a visa on arrival; the rest apply in advance.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
• The visa-on-arrival list changes from time to time, so check with the UAE embassy in your country before you travel.

Source: UAE Government Portal: Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE⁸

Help abroad for Golden Visa holders

• A 24-hour MOFA hotline for Golden Visa holders: +971 2 493 1133.
• If a passport is lost or damaged abroad, a Return Document can be issued online through UAE Pass within 30 minutes. It is valid for a single entry within 7 days.
• Support in emergencies and inclusion in evacuation plans, which can extend to registered dependants with valid residence.

Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: FAQs¹

For a new passport or civil registration, such as registering a birth in the UAE, contact your own country's embassy or consulate.