Employment Contract Attestation in UAE – Legally Validated Agreements

A foreign-issued employment contract can be accepted for the UAE employment contract legalisation if it is first attested by the competent authority in the issuing country and the UAE embassy or consulate abroad. A certified Arabic or English translation is required if the contract is in a language other than Arabic or English. The MOFA completes final attestation. EGSH assists through the entire process, ensuring compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.

The standard processing time for the labour contract attestation in the UAE is up to three working days. This includes application submission, payment confirmation, and final document delivery via the authorised courier service. Timeframes may vary depending on the document type, the completeness of prior attestations, and the accuracy of submitted information. Delays may also occur if supporting documents or translations are incomplete or non-compliant. EGSH ensures proper verification before submission to minimise processing delays.

As of 2025, the UAE MOFA charges AED 150 for attesting personal documents, including employment contracts. Additional charges may apply for translation, prior legalisation, or courier delivery. EGSH provides clients with a complete fee breakdown before submission and processes payments through authorised channels.

Yes, in some instances. While MOHRE-approved labour contracts are valid for employment purposes, MOFA attestation may still be required if the contract will be used for immigration procedures, legal disputes, or recognition outside the UAE. EGSH can assess your specific case and process MOFA attestation where applicable.

Once processed, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sends the attested contract via its authorised courier partner to the UAE address provided in the application. When applying through EGSH, our team coordinates the entire process, including secure handover to the courier and tracking until final delivery to the client.

You must provide the original, unlaminated employment contract in Arabic or English, or with a certified translation if in another language; prior legalisation by the relevant UAE or foreign authority; a copy of your Emirates ID or passport; and valid UAE contact details for courier delivery. EGSH verifies all documents before submission to MOFA.

MOHRE attestation is mandatory for employment contracts regulated under the UAE Labour Law and issued through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. However, contracts for free zone companies or certain government entities follow their approval procedures. EGSH can confirm the applicable attestation process for your specific employment arrangement.