G'day mates - it's Australia Day!
January 26th, 1788. Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet sail into Sydney Cove. After a long voyage they anchor their ships and step foot on land. The ground is cleared, camp set up. The Union Jack is hoisted proudly into the air. It's a momentous day. They've just founded modern Australia.
Now, on the 26th of January every year, Australians across the globe meet up with their friends and families to celebrate. At Vital Certificates, we didn't want to miss out, so we thought we'd get involved in the best way we can - with an Australian documents themed blog!
Today we're going to look at the process of attesting Australian educational documents for use in the UAE. We'll talk you through the process and tell you the easiest way to get it done. If you're an Australian looking to make the move to the Emirates, this one's for you!
Getting ready for a new start in the UAE
Australia boasts a world-class education system that produces graduates that are sought after worldwide. If you're one such graduate and you're looking to move to the UAE (or anywhere overseas, for that matter) you'll need to go through something called the attestation process.
Attestation is the process of taking documents that were issued in one country and making them legally recognised in another. It's something you need to do whenever you're presenting any of your official documentation in a foreign country. It's necessary to prevent fraud.
So, let's say you're an Australian graduate and you're looking to work in Dubai. Any potential employer will want to see your qualifications and they'll need confirmation that they're legitimate. That means you'll need to have your qualifications attested.
Unfortunately, the process of attestation for Australian documents can be quite complicated, and if you're not familiar with it it's easy to make a mistake. But don't worry - we're here to help you with it.
What do I need to start the attestation process?
To attest an Australian education document for use in the UAE, you'll need to provide three things:
- The original document (or a clear scan of)
- University verification
- A copy of your passport
It's easy enough to get the document and a copy of your passport, but you might need some guidance when it comes to getting verification from the university. Keep in mind that even if you hire an agent such as Vital Certificates to manage attestation on your behalf, you may need to complete this step by yourself. Some institutions will only allow the qualification holder to verify it.
Generally the university will have an online portal or search function on their website that you can use to find and verify your qualification. If they don't, you'll need to contact the university directly (by phone or email) and request the verification. It's likely they'll either email you a pdf or send it through the post.
Once you've gotten your verification letter you can start the process of attesting your Australian documents.
What is the attestation process for Australian educational documents in the UAE?
The first step you'll need to take is to have your documents notarised by an Australian Notary Public. They'll check over your documents and add something called a notarial cover sheet.
Next, you'll need to take your documents to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT). Here, the document will be authenticated.
Then, the documents will need to be sent to the UAE Embassy in Canberra, for another stamp.
But that's not all. The documents will then need to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in the UAE for another stamp.
And finally, in some circumstances, the document will also need to be translated into Arabic by a certified translator.
... we did warn you, it is quite complicated!
Is there a simple way to attest my Australian documents?
Fortunately, there's a really simple way to attest your Australian educational documents for use in the UAE. Vital Certificates.
All you would need to do is send us your documents (and you'd need to apply at your university for the verification letter). We'll take it from there. We'll deal with the DFAT, MoFA and Embassy on your behalf. Think about how much hassle that will save you!
Whether it's educational documents or any other Australian documents, just get in touch with us today using one of the methods below.
Sit back and chill out this Australia Day, knowing that we're taking care of everything for you!
