Welcome To Local Citation Site
The United Arab Emirates has become one of the most attractive destinations in the world for professionals, entrepreneurs, and skilled graduates. With Dubai and Abu Dhabi standing as global hubs for international business, technology, aviation, hospitality, and healthcare, thousands of British qualified individuals move to the UAE every year to pursue world-class career and lifestyle opportunities. However, before a UK-issued academic qualification can be used in the United Arab Emirates for employment, education, or professional licensing, it must undergo a mandatory procedure known as UK Degree Attestation for UAE.
This is a legal and authentication process confirming that your academic certificate issued in the United Kingdom is genuine, valid, and recognized by UAE authorities. UAE immigration and labor departments do not accept foreign educational certificates without attestation, and the process ensures trust and transparency in the verification of academic credentials.
UK degree attestation for UAE is the formal verification of British academic certificates, enabling them to be legally used within the Emirates. Whether you completed your Bachelor’s degree, Master’s, PhD, or any higher education qualification in the UK, attestation is required before it can be accepted by UAE employers, universities, licensing bodies, or government authorities.
This process confirms:
The certificate is authentic
The educational institution is recognized in the UK
The certificate has passed all legal verification stages
The document is genuine and belongs to the applicant
Once attested, a UK degree becomes fully valid for employment, higher education, visa processing, Immigration requirements, or professional membership applications in the UAE.
If you are planning to move to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other Emirates city for work or education, UK degree attestation is compulsory. Below are the main purposes:
Employers must verify your academic qualification before issuing a work visa or processing employment contracts.
For professional fields like:
Engineering
Healthcare & nursing
Teaching & education
Accounting & finance
Legal practice
Regulatory bodies require attested academic documents before issuing professional licenses.
Some visa categories, especially skilled employment categories, require academic verification to ensure eligibility.
UAE government entities and multinational organizations accept only attested academic qualifications for verification and grading.
In short — no international degree holds authority in the UAE without attestation.
The UK degree attestation process usually requires:
Original University Degree Certificate
Transcript / Mark Sheet (in some cases)
Passport Copy
Emirates ID Copy (if in UAE)
Authorization letter (if required for third-party processing)
If the certificate is laminated, it may need to be removed before attestation.
Attesting a UK degree involves multiple authorities both in the UK and the UAE. Below is the complete attestation pathway:
A UK solicitor certifies the authenticity of the degree, ensuring that:
The certificate is genuine
It is issued by a recognized UK institution
The UK Government’s FCDO attests the degree after solicitor verification.
The UAE Embassy in the UK further verifies and stamps the certificate after FCDO authentication.
Once the attested certificate arrives in the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds the final attestation stamp to legalize it for all official use.
Only after these four steps is the UK degree fully recognized and accepted in the UAE system.
The timeline depends on document type, verification speed, and attestation queue:
| Mode | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Normal Processing | 10 – 20 working days |
| Urgent / Fast-Track | 5 – 10 working days |
Additional time may apply if:
University verification is required
Document needs correction or reissue
Courier or international shipping delays occur
Costs depend on:
Attestation type (normal/urgent)
Number of documents
Home country authority fees
Courier & handling costs
Translation fees (if needed)
Hiring a professional attestation company helps optimize cost and reduce delay.
Attesting a UK degree for UAE can be challenging without expert help. Issues include:
Incorrect document format
Missing solicitor verification
University not recognized in government database
Name mismatch between passport and certificate
Incomplete supporting documents
Delays in FCDO or embassy approval
Mistakes in personal details
Professional service providers help avoid such problems by managing documentation and compliance accurately.
This attestation is necessary for:
Skilled professionals moving to UAE
Fresh graduates finding jobs
Students enrolling in UAE universities
Teachers applying for KHDA accreditation
Healthcare professionals for DHA / HAAD licensing
Anyone using a UK qualification in UAE immigration or employment system
Official recognition of academic credentials
Faster employment visa processing
Eligibility for professional licensing
Secures higher-level and skilled jobs
Smooth immigration and relocation process
Having an attested degree enhances your professional profile and credibility in the UAE job market.
The UK-UAE attestation chain involves multiple authorities, international courier handling, legal verification, and continuous tracking. For newcomers, it can become confusing and time-consuming. A professional attestation service ensures:
Secure handling of original documents
Smooth and fast processing
Expert checking and error-free submissions
Time-saving convenience
Reduced risk of rejection or delay
Professionals streamline the entire process so applicants can focus on career planning and relocation.
Relocating to the UAE with a UK-issued degree should be an exciting journey toward success — not a complicated paperwork burden. At Benchmark Attestation Services UAE, we specialize in providing smooth and reliable UK Degree Attestation services for job-seekers, professionals, students, and families moving from the United Kingdom to the Emirates. Our dedicated team manages every stage of the attestation pathway including solicitor authentication, FCDO verification, UAE Embassy legalization, and final MOFA stamping in the UAE. With transparency, secure handling, and timely processing, Benchmark Attestation Services UAE provides peace of mind and complete assistance from start to finish. Make your transition effortless and ensure a successful future with our trusted support in certificate attestation services.