The whole UAE attestation now happens in Canada
The UAE has not joined the Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is not accepted. A Canadian document first needs authentication in Canada, by the province that issued it or by Global Affairs Canada, and then UAE attestation.
That second step used to mean a paper stamp from the embassy in Ottawa, then another one at the Ministry after you landed. Today, VFS Global in Ottawa, appointed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, takes in every application. The embassy and the Ministry then attest the document digitally, in one step.
What you receive is a digitally attested PDF that UAE employers, schools and government offices check on the Ministry's MOFA Verify service. No stamp is needed once the document reaches the UAE.
The catch: the first step must go to the right Canadian authority, and the online application must match the paper exactly. One mistake and the file starts over. That is the part we take off your hands.
How we attest your document for the UAE
- Free pre-check. Send us a scan and tell us who asked for it. We confirm the exact route and send a fixed quote within the hour.
- Preparation. A notarized copy when the document requires one, an English translation for documents in French, and official transcripts for degrees when the UAE asks for them.
- Canadian authentication with the authority for the province where the document was issued, or Global Affairs Canada for federal documents.
- UAE attestation. We file the application with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and send the document to VFS Global in Ottawa. The embassy and the Ministry attest it digitally.
- Delivery. The attested PDF by email the day it is issued, and your originals back by tracked courier, in Canada or abroad.
Already living in the UAE? Everything is done remotely. Most files need the paper original in Canada, and we send you a prepaid courier label or arrange the retrieval of the document for you.
Canadian documents we attest for the UAE
Degrees and transcripts
For an employment visa, a Golden Visa, a teaching licence or professional registration. Degree and transcript are attested separately.
Marriage and birth certificates
For a family visa, sponsoring a spouse or child, or registering a birth. Long-form provincial certificates are usually required.
RCMP police certificate
The fingerprint-based criminal record check that UAE employers and immigration ask for. Already in the UAE? We handle the RCMP check from abroad, then the attestation.
Powers of attorney and affidavits
Signed before a Canadian notary, in person or by video, then authenticated and attested for a property sale, a court file or a bank.
Corporate documents
Certificate of incorporation, good standing, board resolutions and company powers of attorney, to open a branch or a free zone company.
Export certificates
Certificates of Free Sale, GMP certificates and lab Certificates of Analysis for product registration in the UAE.
Need the degree itself evaluated? Recognition by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, the former equivalency, is a separate process. Our UAE degree attestation guide explains which one you need.
How long it takes, and what it costs
| Issued in | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Québec | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Ontario | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Saskatchewan | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Alberta | 2 to 3 weeks |
| British Columbia | at pre-check |
| Federal, other provinces | 6 to 8 weeks |
Built from the processing times published by each authority in October 2026. The UAE step itself takes a few business days once VFS has the document.
- UAE government fees are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: AED 150 per attestation for personal and educational documents, so about AED 300 per document for the embassy and Ministry together. Commercial documents are charged at a much higher rate, AED 2,000 per attestation.
- VFS and courier charges and the Canadian authority's fee are added at cost.
- Our service fee is fixed in your quote before you commit. Every government fee is itemized at cost, and nothing is payable before you approve the quote.
Why UAE attestation files get sent back
- The wrong first step. The Canadian authority depends on where the document was issued, not where you live.
- Details that do not match. The name, institution and date entered online must match the paper exactly.
- A French-only document. Many Québec diplomas and certificates need an English translation first.
- A laminated or altered document. It is refused in Canada and in the UAE.
- A name change since the document was issued. Plan for the marriage or name change certificate from the start.
Attestation, PRO and relocation firms: your Canadian desk
Your clients bring Canadian documents, and every step that matters now happens in Canada. We handle that part for UAE attestation, PRO, business setup and relocation firms: every province and the federal route, documents in English or French, scans at each step and the attested PDF sent straight to your team.
A fixed price per document in US dollars, and we work white label: your client stays your client. Write to info@viapostille.ca with the documents you see most often, and we reply with a partner price list.
Does the UAE accept an apostille from Canada?
Do I still need a MOFA stamp after I arrive in the UAE?
How much does UAE attestation cost from Canada?
How long does it take?
My document is in French. Is that a problem?
I already live in the UAE. Can you still do it?
Is attestation the same as degree equivalency?
Reviewed October 2026, from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, VFS Global Canada and Global Affairs Canada. Fees and processing times are set by those offices and can change; your free pre-check confirms the current figures before you pay anything.
“Amazing! Auguste the man on top of it, very competent, professional and speedy! No time to waste type company!”
“Id give more stars if I could. Auguste made this daunting process smooth and easy. Would recommend…”
“I highly recommend this agency. They keep you informed every step of the way, providing accurate and reliable information and finding solutions to every issue that may arise. They are professional, responsive, and genuinely committed to making the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible.”
A document to attest for the UAE?
Send us a scan and tell us who asked for it. We confirm the exact route, flag anything that would be refused and send a fixed quote within the hour.
Get a fixed quote