Getting your study-abroad papers ready in United Arab Emirates
In short: 4 offices in United Arab Emirates verify, attest or issue the papers a student visa asks for. For each: what it does, the official portal, the steps, the fee as its official page prints it and its offices, read on 16 October 2026.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) - Documents Attestation
Confirms that the signatures and seals on UAE-issued papers are real so they can be used abroad: degrees and school certificates (after the education body has done its part), birth certificates, good conduct (police) certificates and other personal papers. Also attests foreign papers through UAE missions abroad. The UAE is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (it is not on the official HCCH status table, checked 2026-10-16). So UAE papers are not apostilled. Instead they are 'attested' (legalised): first by the body that issued them where needed, then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and often by the embassy of the country where you will study. Ask your university or the destination embassy exactly which stamps they want.
Sign in on the MoFA website or the UAE MOFA app with UAE Pass.
Choose attestation for a document issued in the UAE and pick the issuing authority and document type. The system picks the route (digital or courier) for you.
Digital route: choose the country where the paper will be used, upload the original digital PDF, accept the declaration, pay and submit. The attested paper comes by email or under 'My Requests'.
Courier route: enter delivery details, choose a courier company and time, pay and submit. The courier collects and returns the original.
Papers must be in English or Arabic, or come with an official translation.
Check if the embassy of your study country (for example the UK or German mission) also needs to stamp it, and do that last.
Anyone can check an attested paper at verify.mofa.gov.ae using the reference number and issue date.
Appointment: No appointment. MoFA says its Customer Happiness Centres are closed and the service is electronic only (website, app, courier).
Fee, as the official page prints it: Individual Affairs Documents: AED 150. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Apply on the Dubai Police app, the Dubai Police website, DubaiNow, a Smart Police Station or a police station.
You can apply with a valid or expired Emirates ID number.
If you have no Emirates ID, go in person to have fingerprints taken (Al Qusais, Ports, Al Rashidiya or Jebel Ali police stations).
If you apply from outside the UAE you must have entered the UAE before; upload a personal photo, passport copy and your previous residence visa. Without ten-print fingerprints on file, send a fingerprint card certified by the UAE Embassy.
Pay the fee (not refundable). It takes about 5 working days.
The certificate is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued, so time it close to your visa application.
If the study country needs it legalised, attest it at MoFA afterwards.
Appointment: No appointment for online channels. Smart Police Stations are open 24/7; police stations 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Fee, as the official page prints it: Citizen: AED 100; Resident: AED 200; from Outside the Country: AED 300 or $88; Knowledge and Innovation fees: AED 20; Additional fee if applied through service centers in person: AED 100 (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Offices
Dubai: Police stations listed for fingerprinting: Al Qusais, Ports, Al Rashidiya and Jebel Ali Police Stations (no street addresses printed). Police Stations: 7:30 am to 10:00 pm; Smart Police Stations: 24/7
Sign in with UAE Pass on the ICP Smart Services website or the ICP app.
Submit the 'Issue Family Data' request (head of family, UAE citizen) and check the details.
Attach the documents asked for (unless the system already has them) and pay.
The family data is approved and issued, usually in 2 days.
For changes (newborn, marriage etc.) use the separate 'Amend Family Data' service.
Expatriate students: ICP does not issue a family book for you; use your home country's civil records.
Appointment: Not needed online (24/7). Customer Happiness Centres work in official hours. Call centre 600522222.
Fee, as the official page prints it: Fees for requesting a statistical statement - 25 AED; Application Fee for Issuing Family Data - 50 AED (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) - Registered legal translators
Keeps the register of licensed legal translators. Papers not in English or Arabic need an official (legal) translation before MoFA will attest them; study countries may also want an English translation of Arabic papers.
Where to apply for a student visa from United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
VFS Global runs the UK visa application centres in the UAE for UK Visas and Immigration. · Official booking
Apply online for the Student visa on GOV.UK (you can apply up to 6 months before your course starts).
After the online form, you are told how to prove your identity: either by the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by booking a visa application centre appointment.
If a centre visit is needed, book the slot through the link you get after applying and attend with your passport and documents.
A decision usually takes about 3 weeks.
Dubai: Wafi Mall, 3rd Floor, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2 - Dubai - UAE, P.O Box 114100. Not confirmed on an official page; check before you go.
German Consulate General Dubai (covers the whole UAE for national/student visas). Apply online through the Consular Services Portal where eligible, otherwise in person by appointment. · Official booking
You can apply in Dubai only if your UAE residence (Emirates ID) was issued at least 6 months before you apply.
Check if you can apply online, then apply on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de/visa).
If you must apply in person, book a free appointment in the Foreign Office appointment system for Dubai, under the correct category: https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/choose_realmList.do?locationCode=duba&request_locale=en
Bring two sets of documents (1 original, 1 copy, not stapled) using the Student requirement sheet.
Fee: Adults: €75 (in AED). It can take up to 12 weeks.
Dubai: Passport and Visa Section, Street 8 A, Jumeirah I, Dubai (Consulate General: Street 14 A, Jumeirah I, Dubai). Monday to Thursday 08:00 am to 03:00 pm, Friday 08:00 am to 12:00 pm