Reference Directory
The reference list of every UAE government authority and major embassy in the country, with their specific translation, certification, and attestation requirements. Updated 2026.
If you need translations accepted by any of the bodies below, this is the practical reference. We process hundreds of submissions each month — these are the requirements that actually work.
Authorities operating across all 7 emirates
The federal authority that maintains the register of sworn translators in the UAE. Every "MOJ-certified" translation in the country starts here.
Responsible for attestation of UAE documents going abroad and foreign documents being legalized for UAE use. The final stamp in many attestation chains.
Handles equivalency for foreign academic credentials — the prerequisite for working in any regulated profession in the UAE that requires a degree.
Issues work permits, professional licenses, and oversees employment regulations.
Issues federal Emirates ID, residence visas, and citizenship documents for emirates outside Dubai.
Federal health regulator outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai-specific authorities
Issues all Dubai residency visas, including investor visas, employment visas, family sponsorship, and Golden Visas.
Driving licenses, vehicle registration, traffic services in Dubai.
Regulates all healthcare professionals practicing in Dubai.
Issues mainland Dubai trade licenses and oversees commercial activities outside free zones.
Regulates Dubai's private schools and higher education institutions.
Common-law financial free zone with its own courts (DIFC Courts) and regulator (DFSA).
Abu Dhabi-specific authorities
Driving licenses, vehicle registration, traffic, and police clearance certificates in Abu Dhabi.
Regulates all healthcare professionals practicing in Abu Dhabi.
Issues mainland Abu Dhabi trade licenses.
Common-law financial free zone with its own courts and regulator (FSRA).
Abu Dhabi's local court system (federal courts handle some matters in parallel).
Major embassies that frequently require document translations
Frequent translations: birth/marriage cert renewals, military exemption, study abroad documents.
High volume: PCC, education attestation, OCI applications, marriage certificates.
Common: NICOP, NADRA documents, education attestation, marriage registration.
Common: marriage notice, life certificates, certified copies for UK use.
Common: notarial services, FBI background checks, US passport renewals (separate from translation).
High volume: NBI clearance, marriage contracts, employment verification documents.
Apostille services for documents going to France; French-Arabic translations frequent.
Apostille + German-Arabic certified translations for visa, marriage, business.
Italian-Arabic-English translations for visa, citizenship, university applications.
Spanish-Arabic and Spanish-English translations for visa and education matters.
Common: Russian-Arabic translations for marriage, education, business.
High volume: Chinese-Arabic and Chinese-English business and personal translations.
Common: Lebanese ID, marriage registration, education documents.
Common: Jordanian civil status, education, employment documents.
Common: Syrian civil status, education attestation.
Common: Sudanese marriage, birth, education documents.
Civil status documents, education certificates.
NPC certificates, education attestation, marriage certificates.
High volume: education attestation, marriage, employment documents.
Education, marriage, employment-related documents.
Indonesian-Arabic and Indonesian-English for marriage, education, employment.
Turkish-Arabic and Turkish-English translations frequent.
Persian-Arabic translations for civil status, education.
Visa and immigration documents, often requiring certified translation.
Visa documents, AHPRA medical, education attestation.
This directory is being expanded. Embassy contact details, hours, and detailed attestation procedures are added as we collect verified information. Email info@swlt.ae if you'd like us to add or update an entry.
SWLT is MOJ-licensed and works with every UAE authority listed above. Quote in 10 minutes on WhatsApp, delivery in hours.
📱 Get Quote on WhatsApp