Translation Services

The UAE's official language is Arabic, and government offices, courts and most institutions require documents in Arabic, or with a certified Arabic translation, before they will process your application. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.

What Is Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a translation that has been prepared and signed by a translator accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice. The accredited translator attaches a signed declaration confirming the translation is accurate and complete, along with their official stamp and license number. This is legally different from a standard translation done by any bilingual person.

When Is Certified Translation Required in the UAE?

Visa and Residence Applications

Any document submitted to the ICA (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) or a typing centre for visa purposes must be in Arabic or accompanied by an accredited Arabic translation. This includes:

• Marriage certificates
• Birth certificates
• Educational degrees
• Bank statements from overseas
• Police clearance certificates

Employment and Labour

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) requires Arabic translations of employment contracts, salary certificates and NOC letters issued by foreign employers.

Business Setup and Commercial Registration

When forming a company in the UAE using foreign incorporation documents, shareholder agreements, board resolutions or articles of association, the relevant free zone or DED (Department of Economic Development) authority requires certified Arabic translation of all foreign-language documents.

Court and Legal Proceedings

UAE courts operate in Arabic. Any evidence, contract, correspondence or legal document submitted to a UAE court must be in Arabic. The court may appoint its own translator if you do not provide one, but this is slow and expensive. Using an accredited translator upfront avoids this.

Real Estate Transactions

Purchasing property in the UAE as a foreign national requires translated versions of your passport, home country documents and any financing agreements in languages other than Arabic or English.

Medical and Healthcare

Medical reports, vaccination records and prescriptions from abroad must be translated before UAE hospitals and the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) or DOH (Department of Health Abu Dhabi) will accept them.

Does English Count?

English is widely used in business in the UAE, and many private institutions will accept English documents. However, for any government submission, Arabic is the official requirement. English documents submitted without translation are accepted at the discretion of the officer, and increasingly, they are not.

How Long Does Certified Translation Take?

For standard documents (1–4 pages), certified translation with the Ministry of Justice stamp typically takes 24–48 hours. Longer legal or technical documents may take 3–5 working days. Urgent same-day service is available for an additional fee.

Languages We Translate

Clear Docs provides certified translation from and into Arabic for over 30 languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, French, German, Russian, Mandarin, Bangla, Malayalam, Tamil, and more. All translations carry the legal accreditation stamp required by UAE government offices.

Learn more about our translation services or contact us for a same-day quote.