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Certification chain
As the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is not valid. Turkish documents are prepared through the following chain:
- Document plus a notarised Arabic translation, or English translation depending on the institution
- Approval from the district governor's office/governor's office
- Certification by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Certification by the UAE Embassy in Ankara
For some procedures in the UAE, an additional certification by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is required; this step is generally handled within the country by the sponsor or employer.
Employment and residence
- Work visa: diploma through the certification chain; a university diploma is required particularly for skilled positions
- Family residence: marriage and birth certificates through the complete chain
- Healthcare professions: DataFlow primary source verification plus licensing examination processes
Signature circulars, trade registry records and powers of attorney also undergo the same chain for company formation in free zones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Time planning
Since each link in the chain is handled by a different institution, the total time is measured in weeks; embassy certification is subject to appointment and fee arrangements. Employees with a confirmed start date need to begin preparing their file early.
As some documents, particularly criminal record certificates, must be current, it is important to complete the chain in the correct order without losing time.
Language choice
Government offices require Arabic; English is common for free zone and internal company procedures. Clarifying the language required by the requesting authority at the outset avoids the cost of translating twice.
Frequently asked questions
My employer in Dubai requires an 'attested document'; what does that mean?
The employer may be requesting certification or verification of the document. Ask the employer's HR department for written confirmation of which document and which approvals are required. We can provide information about preparing a translation that meets this request; we do not provide consular certification application or follow-up services.
I obtained an apostille for the UAE; will it be useful?
As the UAE is not part of the apostille system, an apostille alone is not sufficient; the chain must be completed. The apostille you obtained does not replace the district governor's office/governor's office stage in the chain; let us check your file together.
This content is for information purposes. The documents and procedures required by institutions may change; we recommend confirming the requirements with the relevant institution before applying.
