Indian Documents
Attesting Indian Documents for the UAE: The Route Both Ways
India is in the Apostille Convention. The UAE is not. So an Indian apostille is not the end of the road for a document headed to Dubai, and the route the Indian Embassy itself describes uses MEA attestation instead.
- The state step identified for your document
- MEA and UAE mission steps in the right order
- MOFA attestation completed in the UAE
- UAE documents prepared for the Indian Embassy
Dubai-based attestation and document clearing for UAE businesses and families.
Last reviewed against current MOFA, MoE and mission guidance.
Quick Answer
For an Indian educational document to be used in the UAE, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi describes this chain: authentication by the concerned State Government authority, attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs, then attestation by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or UAE Consulate in Mumbai. UAE MOFA attestation completes it in the UAE. For a UAE-issued document going to the Indian Embassy, such as a salary certificate, UAE MOFA attestation comes first.
Indian Documents Coming to the UAE
The Embassy of India's attestation page sets out the order for educational documents. The UAE accepts certificates attested by its New Delhi embassy or Mumbai consulate provided MEA attested them first.
- 1Authentication by the concerned state government
- 2Attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs
- 3UAE Embassy New Delhi or Consulate Mumbai
- 4UAE MOFA attestation in the UAE
The State Step Varies
The first authority depends on the document and the state. Degrees usually go through the state's education department. Civil documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, go through the state's home or general administration department.
This is the step people underestimate. It can take longer than everything after it.
- Degrees: state education department
- Birth and marriage certificates: state home department
- Commercial documents: chamber of commerce
- Each state runs its own process
UAE Documents for the Indian Embassy
The reverse direction is shorter. A UAE-issued document, such as a salary certificate, is attested by UAE MOFA first. The Indian Embassy or Consulate then accepts it with a copy and the passport.
- UAE MOFA attestation first
- Original and photocopy for the Indian mission
- Passport presented for verification
- Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate Dubai
Powers of Attorney for India
A power of attorney signed in the UAE for use in India is one of the most common documents we see. It has to be drafted for the specific purpose, signed before the right authority, and attested at the Indian mission.
Our power of attorney page covers drafting and execution.
- Drafted for one clear purpose
- Signed before a notary or at the mission
- Attested at the Indian Embassy or Consulate
- Registered in India where required
How Exiloz Helps
We identify the state step for your document, then run the MEA, UAE mission and MOFA stages in order. For UAE documents going to the Indian mission, we handle MOFA first and prepare the file.
- State authority identified
- MEA and UAE mission steps coordinated
- MOFA attestation completed
- Reverse-direction documents prepared
Related Exiloz Services & Guides
Is an Indian apostille accepted in the UAE?
Not on its own. The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so Indian documents follow the attestation chain through MEA and the UAE mission.
What is the attestation order for an Indian degree?
State government authentication, then MEA attestation, then the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai, then UAE MOFA.
Where do I attest a UAE document for use in India?
UAE MOFA first, then the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai.
Can the state step be skipped?
No. MEA attests only documents already authenticated at state level, and the UAE mission requires MEA attestation first.
Do I need the original certificate?
Yes, in most cases. Keep it unlaminated so it can be stamped.
Do you also handle degree recognition?
Yes. Recognition by the UAE Ministry of Education is a separate process, and since 2023 it no longer requires previous degrees to be attested.
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Send Us the Document and the State
Tell us what it is and which Indian state issued it. That decides the first step.
