May 27, 2025

Whether you’re a student planning to pursue higher education, a parent preparing school admissions, or a professional applying for a visa, UK-issued educational certificates often need to be apostilled or attested for legal use in the UAE.

This comprehensive guide covers the required legalization process for key academic qualifications including AS Level, A-Level (GCE), O-Level, BTEC, Foundation Certificates, and UK National Curriculum certificates.

List of UK Certificates Covered in This Guide

1. AS Level Certificate

  • Typically taken after IGCSE/GCSE
  • One-year advanced qualification before completing full A-Levels

2. A-Level Certificate (GCE A-Level)

  • Advanced academic qualification completed over two years
  • Required for university admissions in the UAE and abroad

3. O-Level Certificate

  • Equivalent to IGCSE; common in British curriculum schools
  • Often used for school transfers and college prep

4. BTEC Qualifications (Vocational)

  • Practical, career-focused qualifications offered by Edexcel
  • Relevant for applying to technical colleges and job roles

5. Foundation Certificate / International Foundation Year

  • Pre-university courses offered by UK institutions
  • Required for direct entry into undergraduate programs

6. UK National Curriculum Certificates

  • Includes reports and progress certificates for younger students
  • Often needed for school transfers and visa purposes in the UAE

Why Do These Certificates Need Apostille or Attestation in the UAE?

If you intend to use any of these documents for:

  • University or school admissions
  • Student or dependent visa applications
  • Employment in academic or regulated professions
  • Family sponsorship or immigration processes

…they must be legally verified to be accepted by UAE institutions. This ensures that foreign-issued documents are genuine, recognized, and compliant with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) regulations.

Apostille vs. Attestation: What’s the Difference?

  • Apostille: A simplified certificate of authentication used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Not valid on its own in the UAE.
  • Attestation: A detailed, multi-step process involving UAE Embassy and MOFA approval. This is mandatory in the UAE, even for documents with an apostille.

Apostille & Attestation Process in Dubai for UK Certificates

✅ Step 1: Notarization (in the UK)

Your certificate must be notarized by a registered solicitor or public notary.

✅ Step 2: Apostille from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

An official apostille is issued verifying the document’s authenticity.

✅ Step 3: UAE Embassy Attestation (UK)

The document is submitted to the UAE Embassy in London for verification.

✅ Step 4: MOFA Attestation (UAE)

Once the document arrives in Dubai, it must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to be legally valid in the UAE.

✅ Step 5 (Optional): Certified Translation

If your document is not in Arabic or English (rare for UK documents), it may require legal translation.

Documents Typically Required

  • Original certificate(s)
  • Passport copy of the student or guardian
  • Visa page (if available)
  • Authorization letter (if a service provider is used)

Processing Time

  • Standard service: 7–10 working days
  • Express/urgent: 2–5 working days (depends on document type and origin)

Estimated Cost Range

The cost of attestation services in Dubai varies depending on the type of educational document and the level of urgency. Typically, higher-level academic qualifications such as A-Level, AS-Level, and vocational credentials like BTEC or Foundation Year programs may require a slightly more detailed attestation process. School-level documents, including O-Level, IGCSE, or general school certificates, usually involve a simpler process. For an accurate quote based on your document type and service requirements, it’s best to consult with a trusted provider like Quick Attestation Services, who can guide you through the process with transparency and efficiency.

Why Choose Quick Attestation Services in Dubai?

Navigating this multi-step process alone can be time-consuming and stressful. Quick Attestation Services ensures your academic documents are:

  • Handled with care and confidentiality
  • Processed with full UAE MOFA & Embassy compliance
  • Delivered on time, with real-time updates
  • Picked up and delivered directly to your home or office

Get Started Today

Are you ready to attest your AS-Level, A-Level, O-Level, or BTEC certificate in Dubai?

Contact Quick Attestation Services today for a fast, reliable, and MOFA-approved solution to all your certificate attestation needs.