Professional and managerial jobs in the UAE require an attested university degree before the work permit and labour card are issued, and family visas later need attested marriage and birth certificates.
Because the UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, an apostille is not enough. A U.S. degree goes through the attestation chain: a notarized copy certified by the state where it was notarized, authentication by the U.S. Department of State, legalization by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., and finally attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs once in the UAE.
It takes weeks rather than days, and employers often set start dates assuming it will be quicker. Start as soon as you have an offer. See embassy legalization for how the chain works.
At a glance
U.S. documents for this visa
| Document | Issued by | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University degree | Your university | Full attestation chain | Usually a notarized copy; required for skilled roles |
| Marriage certificate | County or state | Full attestation chain | For a family visa for your spouse |
| Birth certificates (children) | State vital records | Full attestation chain | For family visas for children |
| Police clearance | FBI | Sometimes; full chain if asked | Some employers and free zones ask for it |
Checked against consulate guidance in October 2026. Your consulate’s current checklist always takes precedence.
Things worth knowing
- No apostille shortcut. The UAE requires embassy legalization, not an apostille.
- Attested Arabic translation is often required once the documents are in the UAE.
- Start early. The chain runs through several offices and commonly takes three to six weeks.
How it works
Step 1
Tell us the visa and consulate
We match its checklist against the documents you have.
Step 2
Order what is missing
FBI check, certified copies, or anything else, timed for recency rules.
Step 3
Apostille or attestation
Federal and state documents processed together.
Step 4
Translated and returned
With certified or sworn translation if your consulate asks.
UAE Employment Visa Document Attestation: common questions
Can I just apostille my degree for the UAE?
No. The UAE is not in the Apostille Convention, so the degree needs authentication by the U.S. Department of State and legalization by the UAE Embassy instead.
Can you handle all the apostilles for my United Arab Emirates application in one order?
Yes. Federal documents such as the FBI check go to the U.S. Department of State, and state documents go to the states that issued them. We run them together and return the set to you, with translations if you need them.
Do requirements differ between consulates?
Often, in the details. Treat this page as a guide and your consulate’s own checklist as the final word. Tell us your consulate and we will check its current list against your documents.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., consular services
Ready to get started?
Tell us your visa and consulate, and we will price every document you need in one order.
Related: All visa guides · FBI background check