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Degree Certificate Attestation for UAE: Complete Guide and Process

by | Jun 21, 2025 | Frontpage Article

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Headed to the United Arab Emirates for work, school, or something more permanent? Before you pack your bags or sign that contract, there’s one crucial step you can’t afford to miss: getting your degree attested. It might not sound exciting—but skipping it could put your entire move on hold.

Attestation is how the UAE makes sure your degree is real and officially recognized. It’s required for almost everything—employment visas, university applications, professional licensing, and long-term residency. If your documents aren’t verified through the official attestation process, UAE authorities won’t accept them.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know: what attestation actually means, who needs it, how to get it done, what documents to prepare, and how long the process takes. It’s practical, straightforward, and designed to help you avoid common delays. Keep reading—we’re walking you through it step by step.

Check out our UAE Embassy Attestation page for more details and support to get you across the finish line.

Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].

What Is Degree Certificate Attestation for UAE?

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Degree certificate attestation is the official process of verifying that your educational documents, like a diploma or university degree, are genuine and issued by a recognized institution. It confirms that your degree is valid in your home country and can be trusted by UAE authorities. Authentication is a step that usually comes before attestation, where your country’s government confirms the signature, stamp, or seal on the document before it moves on to the UAE embassy or consulate for final approval.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) of the UAE needs document attestation to make sure that all foreign documents are lawful and aligned with educational guidelines. This process helps prevent fraud and makes sure that your qualifications are authentic. If you don’t get your degree attested, you won’t be able to use it to get a job, get a professional licence, get into college, or live in the UAE.

Why Degree Certificate Attestation Is Required in the UAE

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Degree attestation is mandatory if you want to use your Canadian academic credentials in the UAE. It is required for legal and professional reasons, such as applying for a work visa, enrolling in a UAE university, getting licensed in regulated professions (like healthcare or engineering), or sponsoring family members for residency. UAE authorities will not accept your Canadian degree unless the right offices in Canada and the UAE have properly attested it.

This process ensures your foreign degree is valid, issued by a recognized institution, and fraud-free. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) of the UAE uses attestation to confirm that all submitted documents meet the country’s legal standards. If your documents are not attested, you may face delays, rejections, or failure to complete official procedures like employment, admission, or licensing.

Documents Needed for Degree Certificate

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If you’re attesting a Canadian degree for use in the UAE, you’ll need to gather specific documents to meet the requirements set by both Global Affairs Canada and the UAE Embassy. These documents help prove the authenticity of your degree and confirm your identity during the process.

Here’s what you may be asked to provide:

1. Original Degree Certificate

  • Issued by a recognized and accredited Canadian university or college.
  • The signature of an authorized official, such as a registrar, is required.
  • If unavailable or unsigned, a notarized true copy may be used instead.

2. Clear Photocopy of the Degree

  • A copy is often needed for embassy records and should match the authenticated or legalized version.

3. Copy of Passport

  • Required for identity verification by both Global Affairs Canada and the UAE Embassy.
  • Include your full name, photo, and passport number on the information page.

4. UAE Visa Copy (If Applicable)

  • Only needed if you are already in the UAE or applying for a specific visa or residency permit.
  • It is not typically required when attesting documents from within Canada for general purposes.

5. Authorization Letter

  • Mandatory if someone else (e.g., a family member or attestation agency) is submitting or collecting documents on your behalf.
  • It should be signed and include the names of both the document holder and the authorized representative.

Step-by-Step Degree Certificate Attestation Process

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Step 1: Notarization (If Applicable)

If your original degree lacks an official signature recognized by Global Affairs Canada (such as that of a registrar), it must be notarized by a licensed Canadian notary public or lawyer. The notary certifies that the copy is an accurate representation of the original. This step is only needed when your document doesn’t meet GAC’s signature requirements.

Step 2: Authentication by Provincial Authority

In provinces like Ontario, notarized documents must be authenticated by a local authority—such as Official Documents Services (ODS)—before being sent to GAC. This step verifies the authorization of the notary or commissioner. This step can be skipped in other provinces if the notary is federally recognized or accepted by GAC.

Step 3: Authentication by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Global Affairs Canada, located in Ottawa, verifies the signature and seal of the official who certified your document. This step is mandatory. Without GAC authentication, the UAE Embassy in Canada will not process your attestation.

Step 4:  Legalization by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa

After GAC authenticates your document, it must be forwarded to the UAE Embassy in Ottawa for legalization. The embassy authenticates GAC’s authentication and affixes its stamp to certify that your degree is prepared for utilization in the UAE.

Step 5: Final Attestation by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC)

Upon arriving in UAE, the final procedure is to get your degree recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) in the UAE. This can be done through their online portal or at a service center. Only after this final step will your degree be officially recognized for employment, higher education, licensing, or immigration purposes in the UAE.

Tips to Smoothen the Document Attestation Process

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Start the process as soon as you know you need your Canadian degree in the UAE. Universities, employers, and licensing authorities often set hard deadlines, and steps like Global Affairs Canada authentication or UAE Embassy legalization can take several weeks. Building in extra time means you can fix any issues without missing a cutoff date.

  • Track each step: mark key dates for notarization, Global Affairs Canada authentication, UAE Embassy legalization, and the final MoFAIC attestation.
  • Use a courier with tracking: always keep the digital receipt to prove when and to whom you sent your documents.
  • Double-check your documents: make sure the name and signature dates match the original degree exactly.
  • Know your province’s rules: some provinces skip a local authentication step, while others require it to be verified before you mail anything.

Once your Canadian documents reach the UAE, monitor the MoFAIC reference number you receive online. If you see a delay, contact the UAE Embassy or any degree-equivalency partner you’re using to keep everything moving and avoid last-minute surprises.

Usual Mistakes to Avoid

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When attesting Canadian documents for use in the UAE, even minor errors can cause significant delays. Each step in the process—whether it’s notarization, authentication by Global Affairs Canada, or attestation by the UAE Embassy—requires specific details to be correct. One overlooked requirement can result in your documents being returned or rejected, forcing you to start over. Understanding and preparing for the most common issues applicants face is essential to avoid unnecessary setbacks.

  • Missing signatures or official stamps – Every document must be properly signed and sealed by authorized officials before it can be accepted for attestation.
  • Submitting laminated or damaged documents – Laminated certificates cannot be stamped, and damaged originals may be rejected during authentication.
  • Using an apostille instead of attestation – Canada now issues apostilles under the Hague Convention, but the UAE does not accept apostilles. Canadian documents for UAE use must go through document attestation, which includes authentication by Global Affairs Canada and legalization by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa.
  • Translation errors or expired documents – Mistakes in translations, expired passport or visa copies, and incomplete application forms can all delay the process or lead to rejection.

Always review the latest requirements from Global Affairs Canada and the UAE Embassy in Ottawa to ensure your documents are fully prepared before you begin the attestation process.

Check out our UAE Embassy Attestation page for more details and support to get you across the finish line.

Do You Need Assistance Authenticating Documents Issued in Canada? The Legalization Service Center Can Assist!

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The Legalization Service Centre supports at every stage of the process for those seeking apostille, authentications, and attestation services for documents in Canada. We optimize the process to guarantee the accurate authentication of your documents for international purposes.

Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].