Legalization United Arab Emirates
Are you going to work, study, marry or do business in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)? Then Dutch documents such as a diploma, Certificate of Conduct (VOG), birth certificate or Chamber of Commerce (KVK) extract must be legalised first. VisumService.nl in The Hague handles the whole chain for you, from DUO, the court or the Chamber of Commerce to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and UAE legalisation. You bring or send your document to our office in The Hague. We do the rest and send it back to you.
In short: The UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) is not an apostille country. Dutch documents go via the issuing body (DUO, court or KVK), the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). UAE fees for individuals: AED 300 per document + AED 184 per application (max. 3 documents). Our service fee: €65 excl. VAT per case. Processing time: about one week. Always returned by DHL Express overnight courier because your documents are valuable (or collect in The Hague). VisumService.nl, The Hague, since 1997.
Our service fee: €65 excl. VAT (€78.65 incl.) for an individual and €85 excl. VAT (€102.85 incl.) for a business, per case, not per document. The fees of the other agencies are paid separately. In the Netherlands these are fees per document. KvK legalisation: EUR 40 per document, including fee and VAT. For the UAE, an individual pays AED 300 per document plus AED 184 fixed cost per application. For a business it is AED 2,150 per document plus AED 184 fixed cost per application. See the worked examples.
Need a translation? Our standard approach is that your document is at least in English (or in Arabic, if you prefer). Is it in another language, for example Dutch? Would you like your document translated by a sworn translator? Then you can request a quote for a sworn translation through us. That is your choice.
Statement from the Belastingdienst? Do you have an English-language statement from the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) with a wet-ink signature (a digital version is not allowed)? It follows its own route and the procedure may therefore take somewhat longer. We do not state a fixed number of days. Upload a scan via the online form; we will email you which route applies to your statement.
Apply online
Fill in, print and sign it, then send it with your documents by courier to our office in The Hague.
Questions? Call +31 70 215 49 95 or WhatsApp +31 6 393 39 184. Visits by appointment only.
Apostille or legalisation for the UAE?
The UAE is not an apostille country: your document needs a chain of legalisations.
An apostille is not enough for the UAE. Your document is first legalised (if needed) by the body that issued it. Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) legalises it. Finally comes legalisation for the UAE. Since 2026 this runs through the digital portal of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, using UAE Pass). We handle every step for you, up to and including the UAE application (MOFA and embassy). Then we send the legalised document back to you.
The route depends on the type of document:
| Your document | Route, step by step |
|---|---|
| Diploma or transcript | 1. DUO → 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) → 3. UAE (MOFA) |
| VOG (paper), birth certificate, marriage certificate, BRP extract | 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) → 2. UAE (MOFA) |
| Notarial deed, power of attorney, sworn translation | 1. District court (signature legalisation) → 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) → 3. UAE (MOFA) |
| Chamber of Commerce (KVK) extract, certificate of origin, invoice | 1. KVK → 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) → 3. UAE (MOFA). Business documents have a higher rate. |
How long does legalisation for the UAE take?
- Legalisation for the UAE (MOFA): the application is made digitally.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC): at the counter usually the same day.
- If other bodies must go first (DUO, court, KVK), add working days.
- Total through us: about one week for the full UAE chain.
Calculate your costs
Choose your situation below and see an indication of the costs of UAE legalisation straight away: the AED part, the Dutch fees, our service fee and the return shipment. A maximum of 3 documents fits in one application.
Your indication
We charge our service fee once per case, even if you have more than one application.
What does legalisation for the UAE cost? Worked examples
Example: documents for use in the UAE, individual (1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 documents) and business (1, 2 or 3 documents). A maximum of 3 documents fits in one application. The tables show only the costs for the UAE. Amounts in AED, with an indication in euros.
Worked example: individual
| Documents | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Per document (300) | 300 | 600 | 900 | 1,200 | 1,800 |
| Fixed cost per application (184) | 184 | 184 | 184 | 368 | 368 |
| Total in AED | 484 | 784 | 1,084 | 1,568 | 2,168 |
| Average per document | 484 | 392 | 361 | 392 | 361 |
| Indication in euros (€) | 113 | 182 | 252 | 365 | 504 |
Maximum 3 documents per application. Each application has its own fixed cost of AED 184. A full set of 3 documents is therefore the cheapest per document. With 4 documents you need 2 applications, so you pay AED 184 twice. With 10 documents you need 4 applications (3 + 3 + 3 + 1).
Exchange rate used: about 4.3 AED per euro (daily rate of 17 October 2026). The daily rate changes, so the euro amount is only an indication. The payment system adds a service charge of approx. 0.7%. On the payment screen, 1, 2 and 3 documents showed AED 487.45, AED 789.59 and AED 1,091.74.
Worked example: business
| Documents | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | measured | calculated example | calculated example |
| Applications | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Per document (2,150) | 2,150 | 4,300 | 6,450 |
| Fixed cost per application (184) | 184 | 184 | 184 |
| Total in AED | 2,334 | 4,484 | 6,634 |
| Average per document | 2,334 | 2,242 | 2,211 |
| Indication in euros (€, rate 4.3) | 543 | 1043 | 1543 |
For business documents the fee is AED 2,150 per document (AED 2,000 embassy + AED 150 MOFA), plus AED 184 fixed cost per application. Only the amount for 1 document (AED 2,334) was measured. The amounts for 2 documents (AED 4,484) and 3 documents (AED 6,634) are a calculated example: AED 2,150 per document plus AED 184 per application. The euro amounts are indicative, using a rate of 4.3. Maximum 3 documents per application.
On top of this come our service fee (individual €65 excl. VAT, €78.65 incl. VAT; business €85 excl. VAT, €102.85 incl. VAT; per case) and the Dutch fees per document, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) €10 and, for a diploma, DUO €6 + €2 for the certified copy made by DUO, plus €50 excl. VAT for our trip to Rotterdam (DUO). For business documents, KvK legalisation is added: EUR 40 per document, including fee and VAT. A diploma with a transcript counts as 2 documents. A maximum of 3 documents fits in one application. If you have more, they become several applications, and you pay the AED 184 fixed cost for each one. Return: by DHL Express overnight courier (the Netherlands €29.70, EU €51.60, outside the EU €81.60) or collect in The Hague €30 excl. VAT. We charge our service fee once per case, even if you have more than one application. All rates: Document legalisation: all rates.
Per case, not per document. We do not charge our service fee of €65 excl. VAT (individual) or €85 excl. VAT (business) per document.
Fees per agency for the UAE
| Agency | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) | €10 per document |
| District court (apostille or signature legalisation) | €27 per document |
| DUO | €6 per document + €2 for the certified copy made by DUO; plus €50 excl. VAT (€60.50 incl.) for our trip to Rotterdam (DUO), once per case |
| KvK legalisation | EUR 40 per document, including fee and VAT |
| UAE individual: MOFA (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) + embassy | AED 300 per document (AED 150 + AED 150) |
| UAE business (measured): embassy + MOFA | AED 2,150 per document (AED 2,000 embassy + AED 150 MOFA) |
| Fixed cost per application (embassy/MOFA route) | AED 184 per application, maximum 3 documents |
| Payment system | approx. 0.7% service charge |
| Our service fee, individual | €65 excl. VAT (€78.65 incl.) per case |
| Our service fee, business | €85 excl. VAT (€102.85 incl.) per case |
| Notary / sworn translator | varies |
How it works
- Apply online: fill in the form and upload a scan or photo of your document(s).
- We check: you receive the route and a cost estimate by email.
- Language of your document: our standard approach is that your document is at least in English (or in Arabic, if you prefer). Is it in another language, for example Dutch? Would you like your document translated by a sworn translator? Then you can request a quote for a sworn translation through us. That is your choice.
- Your document to us: after our confirmation, you bring your document to our office in The Hague by appointment. Or you send it by courier.
- We handle the whole process: we take care of every step: if needed DUO, the court or KVK, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and the UAE application (digital via MOFA, with the embassy).
- Return: we send the legalised document back to you by DHL Express overnight courier (the Netherlands €29.70, EU €51.60, outside the EU €81.60), or you collect it in The Hague (€30 excl. VAT). After completion you receive the invoice; individuals pay before the document is returned.
Apply online
Fill in, print and sign it, then send it with your documents by courier to our office in The Hague.
Questions? Call +31 70 215 49 95 or WhatsApp +31 6 393 39 184. Visits by appointment only.
A document from the UAE for use in the Netherlands?
Do you want to use a document from the UAE (for example a marriage or birth certificate) in the Netherlands? That has to be done in the UAE itself: first legalisation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the Dutch Consulate General in Dubai. Arabic documents must also be translated. We only legalise Dutch documents (and, via our Belgian route, Belgian documents) for use abroad. Read the steps on NederlandWereldwijd: legalising documents from the UAE (in Dutch).
Frequently asked questions about UAE legalisation
Does the UAE require an apostille or legalisation?
The UAE is not an apostille country. An apostille is not enough: your Dutch document needs a chain of legalisations. First (if needed) the issuing body such as DUO, the district court or the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), then the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC), and finally UAE attestation through the digital portal of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
How do I get my Dutch diploma attested for Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
A Dutch diploma or transcript goes through three steps: 1. DUO, 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC), 3. UAE (MOFA). A diploma with a transcript counts as 2 documents. DUO costs €6 per document plus €2 for the certified copy made by DUO; for our trip to DUO in Rotterdam we charge €50 excl. VAT. VisumService.nl in The Hague handles every step for you.
How much does UAE attestation of Dutch documents cost?
For an individual, UAE legalisation costs AED 300 per document plus AED 184 fixed cost per application; for a business it is AED 2,150 per document plus AED 184 per application. On top of that come Dutch costs: Ministry of Foreign Affairs €10 per document; DUO €6 per document + €2 for the certified copy made by DUO, plus €50 excl. VAT for our trip to Rotterdam (DUO); KvK €40 per document including fee and VAT. Our service fee: €65 excl. VAT (€78.65 incl.) for individuals or €85 excl. VAT (€102.85 incl.) for businesses, per case. The calculator on this page gives you an instant indication.
How many documents fit in one application?
A maximum of 3 documents per application. Each application has its own fixed cost of AED 184, so a full set of 3 documents is the cheapest per document. With 4 documents you need 2 applications. A diploma with a transcript counts as 2 documents.
What does it cost if I have more than 3 documents?
A maximum of 3 documents fits in one application. If you have more, you make several applications. The number of applications is the number of documents divided by 3, rounded up. Each application has its own fixed cost of AED 184. For an individual it is AED 300 per document plus AED 184 per application. Four documents are 2 applications and cost AED 1,568, on average AED 392 per document. Six documents are 2 applications and cost AED 2,168, on average AED 361 per document. A full set of 3 documents is the cheapest per document. Ten documents are 4 applications (3 + 3 + 3 + 1). These are indications based on today’s rates. Our service fee and the Dutch fees come on top.
Why is 1 document not 1 × the rate?
Each application has a one-off fixed cost of AED 184 on top of the rate per document. For an individual, 1 document therefore costs AED 484 and not AED 300. Two documents cost AED 784 and three documents AED 1,084. For a business, 1 document costs AED 2,334 instead of AED 2,150.
Do I pay your service fee per document?
No. Our €65 excl. VAT (individual) or €85 excl. VAT (business) applies per case, not per document. The agencies’ fees, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC), DUO and the UAE, are paid separately. KvK legalisation: EUR 40 per document, including fee and VAT.
How long does UAE legalisation take?
About one week for the full UAE chain. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) usually legalises at the counter on the same day and the UAE application (MOFA) is processed digitally; the route via DUO, a court or the KVK determines the rest. A statement from the Dutch Tax Administration follows its own route and may take a little longer.
How do I get my legalised document back?
Because your documents are valuable, we return every legalised document by DHL Express overnight courier: to an address in the Netherlands €29.70, in the EU €51.60 and outside the EU €81.60. You can also collect it in The Hague (€30 excl. VAT, €36.30 incl.).
Can I apply online?
Yes. Fill in the online form and upload a scan of your documents. We email you the route and a cost estimate. Then you bring your document to our office in The Hague by appointment or send it by courier. We handle every step and return the legalised document to you by DHL Express overnight courier.
Do I have to arrange anything with the agencies myself?
No. We handle the whole process: DUO, the court or KVK where needed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and the UAE application (MOFA and embassy). We return the legalised document to you by DHL Express overnight courier, or you collect it in The Hague.
Can an employer statement be legalised for the UAE?
Yes, via the Chamber of Commerce (KVK): the signatory must be listed in the KVK trade register. The route is KVK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and then the UAE (MOFA). KvK legalisation costs €40 per document, including fee and VAT. The business rate applies for the UAE.
My document is not in English. Can you arrange a sworn translation?
Yes, if you want one. Our standard approach is that your document is at least in English (or in Arabic, if you prefer). If it is in another language, for example Dutch, you can request a quote through us for a translation by a sworn translator. We do not state an amount here, because it depends on the document. Which language an embassy or authority itself requires can differ per authority.
Can you legalise a document from the UAE for use in the Netherlands?
No. A document from the UAE is legalised in the UAE: first by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Dutch Consulate General in Dubai. See NederlandWereldwijd.
How does legalisation of a Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration) statement work?
Do you have an English-language statement from the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) with a wet-ink signature (a digital version is not allowed)? It follows its own route and the procedure may therefore take somewhat longer. We do not state a fixed number of days. Upload a scan via the online form; we will email you which route applies to your statement.
About VisumService.nl
VisumService.nl is a visa and document legalisation service in The Hague, since 1997. Owner: Valdemar. We handle UAE legalisation from start to finish: DUO, court or KVK, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC) and the UAE (MOFA). Phone +31 70 215 49 95, WhatsApp +31 6 393 39 184. Visits by appointment only.
Apply online
Fill in, print and sign it, then send it with your documents by courier to our office in The Hague.
Questions? Call +31 70 215 49 95 or WhatsApp +31 6 393 39 184. Visits by appointment only.
Checked on 22 October 2026. Sources: NederlandWereldwijd (Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CDC), €10 per document), Rechtspraak (€27), DUO (€6 + €2 certified copy), KVK rates 2026, HCCH status table, our own measurement of the rates in the UAE application screen (MOFA) on 17 October 2026. Agency fees may change; we charge the current fees of the agencies. For KvK legalisation a fixed amount applies: EUR 40 per document, including fee and VAT.
