The UAE is one of the most popular destinations for Nepali workers and professionals. Getting your documents attested for the UAE from Nepal involves a specific three-step government process. Unlike Australia and Canada — where a certified translation is usually enough — the UAE requires a full attestation chain: Notarisation → Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) → UAE Embassy.

This guide explains exactly what the UAE attestation chain involves, which documents need to go through it, how long it takes, and what it costs.

What Is the UAE Attestation Chain?

The UAE government requires that personal documents from Nepal — and all other countries — be verified through a chain of official stamps before they are accepted. For Nepal, the chain is:

  1. Nepal Notary Public notarisation — A registered Nepal Notary Public witnesses, seals, and signs the document, confirming it is authentic.
  2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) attestation — MoFA at Singhdurbar, Kathmandu authenticates the Notary’s seal, making the document credible for international use.
  3. UAE Embassy Kathmandu attestation — The UAE Embassy in Kathmandu places its final stamp, confirming the document is accepted for use in the UAE.

All three stamps are mandatory. Documents missing any step are rejected by UAE immigration authorities (MOI), the Labour Ministry (MOHRE), or sponsor companies.

Which Documents Need UAE Attestation?

For Employment Visa

  • Educational degree certificate — full three-step attestation chain
  • Experience/employment certificates — notarisation + MoFA attestation (Embassy step sometimes waived)
  • Police Clearance Certificate — full three-step chain

For Dependent / Family Visa

  • Birth certificates (children) — full three-step chain
  • Marriage certificate (spouse) — full three-step chain

For Business / Commercial Use

  • Company registration certificates — three-step chain
  • Power of Attorney — three-step chain (plus certified translation)

Step-by-Step: UAE Attestation from Nepal

Step 1 — Certified Translation (if document is in Nepali)

If your document is in Nepali — such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or academic degree from a Nepali university — it must first be translated into English. A certified English translation is produced by a qualified translator and accompanies the original document throughout the attestation chain.

Step 2 — Nepal Notary Public Notarisation

The original document (with its translation, if applicable) is notarised by a registered Nepal Notary Public. The notary places their official seal and signature, confirming the document’s authenticity. This is the first link in the attestation chain.

Step 3 — MoFA Attestation at Singhdurbar

The notarised document is submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) at Singhdurbar, Kathmandu. MoFA verifies the Notary’s seal and applies its own official stamp. This step typically takes 3–5 working days.

Step 4 — UAE Embassy Kathmandu Attestation

The MoFA-attested document is submitted to the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu. The Embassy applies its final attestation stamp, making the document valid for use in all seven Emirates. This step takes an additional 2–4 working days.

How Long Does UAE Attestation Take?

  • Translation: Same-day
  • Notarisation: Same-day
  • MoFA attestation: 3–5 working days
  • UAE Embassy attestation: 2–4 additional working days
  • Total: Typically 7–12 working days from submission

UAE Attestation vs Apostille — What’s the Difference?

Nepal joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2017. For countries that accept Hague apostilles (such as the UK, Germany, and the USA), a MoFA apostille stamp is sufficient — you do not need the Embassy attestation step.

However, the UAE is NOT a Hague Apostille Convention member. This means the UAE does not accept apostilles — it requires the separate Embassy attestation step. The full three-step chain (Notary + MoFA + Embassy) is mandatory for UAE-bound documents from Nepal.

Can I Handle UAE Attestation Myself?

Technically yes, but it requires visiting three separate government offices at different times:

  1. A registered Nepal Notary Public office (for notarisation)
  2. MoFA at Singhdurbar (for attestation — requires multiple visits or a waiting period)
  3. UAE Embassy Kathmandu (for final Embassy stamp)

Most clients prefer to use Hamro Notary’s full attestation service, which handles all three steps on your behalf. You submit your documents once at our Chabahil office and collect them fully attested — no government office visits required.

UAE Attestation Costs from Nepal

  • Certified translation (if needed): NPR 1,000–1,500 per page
  • Notarisation: NPR 500–800 per document
  • MoFA attestation: NPR 500 per document (our service fee) + government fee
  • UAE Embassy attestation: Embassy fee varies by document type
  • Full chain (our service): NPR 3,000–5,500 per document (all-inclusive except Embassy’s own government fee)

Frequently Asked Questions

My company in Dubai has my offer letter — do I still need to attest my degree?

Yes. UAE Labour Ministry (MOHRE) and immigration authorities require attested educational credentials for most employment visa categories. Your Dubai employer or PRO will typically specify which documents need attestation.

Can my company in Dubai help with attestation?

Your Dubai employer’s PRO (Public Relations Officer) typically handles the UAE-side processing. However, the Nepal-side steps — translation, notarisation, and MoFA attestation — must be completed in Nepal before your documents reach Dubai.

Do I need to personally be present for notarisation?

For document notarisation (certified true copies and translations), physical presence is not required — you can send your documents via courier. For Power of Attorney notarisation, the grantor must be physically present to sign before the Notary.

What if my degree is from a foreign university (e.g., India)?

Degrees from foreign universities have a different attestation path. Contact us with the issuing country and document details and we will advise on the correct attestation chain for UAE acceptance.

Need UAE attestation for your documents? Visit Hamro Notary in Chabahil, Kathmandu — Sunday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We handle the complete chain without you visiting any government office.