Sep 21, 2025

When you need to use your UK documents abroad — whether for work, study, immigration, or business — they must first be legalised. In the UK, this is done by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The process is often called FCDO Legalisation or attestation, and it ensures that your document is officially recognised overseas.

What is FCDO Legalisation?

FCDO Legalisation is the process of confirming that a UK-issued document is genuine. This is done by attaching an official Apostille stamp to the document. Once your document has been legalised by the FCDO, foreign governments, embassies, and consulates can accept it as valid.

Why Do You Need FCDO Legalisation?

Many countries require legalised documents before they can be used for:

  • Employment visas (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman).
  • Higher education admissions abroad.
  • Marriage registration overseas.
  • Company formation and business contracts.
  • Residency permits and immigration purposes.

If you are moving to the UAE, Qatar, or other Gulf countries, attestation of your documents after FCDO legalisation is mandatory.

Types of Documents That Require FCDO Legalisation

  • Educational Documents: Degree certificates, diplomas, transcripts, professional qualifications.
  • Personal Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearance certificates.
  • Commercial Documents: Business contracts, power of attorney, trade licenses, financial papers.

Why is FCDO Legalisation Important for UAE?

The UAE government does not accept UK documents unless they are properly legalised and attested. Without this, you cannot:

  • Apply for a UAE employment visa.
  • Register for higher education in UAE universities.
  • Use marriage or birth certificates for family visa applications.
  • Register a business contract or power of attorney in UAE.

In short, FCDO legalisation for UAE makes your UK document legally valid in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and all other emirates.

Step-by-Step Process for UK Document Attestation for UAE

  1. Solicitor/Notary Verification
    – UK educational or personal documents must first be certified by a notary public or solicitor.
  2. FCDO Legalisation (Apostille Stamp)
    – The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues an Apostille confirming the document’s authenticity.
  3. UAE Embassy Attestation in London
    – After FCDO legalisation, the document is attested at the UAE Embassy in the UK.
  4. MOFA Attestation in UAE
    – Once you arrive in the UAE, the document undergoes final attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Types of UK Documents That Need Legalisation for UAE

  • Educational Certificates: Degree, Master’s, PhD, diplomas, transcripts (required for employment visa).
  • Personal Certificates: Birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, police clearance (required for family visa).
  • Commercial Documents: Business contracts, trade licenses, financial papers, powers of attorney (required for business setup in UAE).

How Long Does It Take?

  • FCDO Apostille: 2–5 working days.
  • UAE Embassy Attestation (London): 3–7 working days.
  • MOFA Attestation (UAE): 1–3 working days.

Using a professional agency can reduce delays and get express attestation services if you need urgent processing.

Cost of FCDO Legalisation & UAE Attestation

  • FCDO Apostille Fee: £30 per document.
  • UAE Embassy Charges: Depend on document type (educational, personal, or commercial).
  • MOFA UAE Fee: Around AED 150 per document.
  • Agency Service Fee: For handling, courier, and express services.

Why Use a Professional Agency?

Handling multiple steps in both the UK and UAE can be complex. A trusted attestation agency like QuickAttestation Agency helps with:

  • End-to-end handling of UK and UAE formalities.
  • Faster turnaround time with priority submissions.
  • Error-free attestation (avoiding rejection or re-submission).
  • Reliable courier and document tracking.

Conclusion

If you’re relocating to the UAE, FCDO legalisation and attestation of UK documents is mandatory. Whether it’s for a work visa, family visa, or business setup, your documents must be legalised in the UK, attested by the UAE Embassy in London, and finally stamped by MOFA in the UAE.

For a fast and approved service, contact QuickAttestation Agency today and let experts handle your UK to UAE attestation process smoothly.