If you’re considering a teaching position in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Qatar, you’ll need to go through a process of document attestation to ensure that your qualifications and credentials are recognised and valid in these countries. Document attestation is a crucial step in the application process, and it’s essential to get it right to avoid any complications down the road. When I went to Qatar they required PGCE and BA Degree and all transcripts with a covering letter. Friends who worked in different schools were asked for different documents. After a job offer in Abu Dhabi UAE, HR requested more documents to be attested. Check with your school as the requirements vary. I paid a company the first time I went to Qatar, but his was hugely expensive. The school requested the oringal certificate which I should have challenged as others got copies attested and it was fine. My original certificate got trashed with stamps etc. I will talk about the steps I went through in the UK to get my own documents attested successfully for the UAE. It’s a similar process for Qatar. This saved me a lot of money.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before you start the attestation process, make sure you have all the necessary documents in order. These can include:
Educational Certificates: Your degree certificates, diplomas, and transcripts.
Letters: Some countries such as Qatar require a covering letter for your certificate from your place of study.
Teaching Qualifications: Any certificates or licenses related to your teaching qualifications.
Experience Certificates: Letters from previous employers confirming your teaching experience.
Passport and Visa: You’ll need your valid passport and a copy of your visa.
Criminal Record Check: Some schools may require a criminal record check from your home country.
Birth Certificate. Some schools may require your Birth Certificate is also attested.
Step 2: Notarization
The first step in the attestation process is to have your documents notarized. This involves getting your documents verified by a notary public or a solicitor in your home country. The notary will verify your identity and witness your signature on the documents. This step is essential to ensure the authenticity of your documents. I used a local solicitor in Cumbria who charged me £5 per document. He signed and stamped the copies after looking at the originals and checking my ID. Some will charge far more. Check if you need a notary or solicitor and if either is fine.
Step 3: Apostille (For UK Documents)
If you are from the UK, you may need to obtain an Apostille certificate from the UK government. The Apostille is a stamp that confirms the authenticity of your documents. You can obtain an Apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the UK. Be sure to check if this step is required for your documents. After I had the certificates (copies) signed the solicitor I sent these off by post to the FCO to get my documents legalised. https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised It cost me £30 per document! They posted them back within ten days and each had a white piece of paper on the back – the apostille.
Step 4: UAE Embassy or Consulate
For the UAE, you’ll need to have your documents attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Contact the nearest UAE diplomatic mission to inquire about the specific requirements and fees. They will authenticate your documents, making them valid for use in the UAE. I sent mine by post as at the time of writing they were not accepting in person visits for this.
Step 5: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE
After getting the UAE Embassy’s attestation, your documents must be further attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can usually do this in the UAE itself, but some emirates may allow you to complete this step in your home country. Check with your employer or the relevant authorities for guidance.
Step 6: Qatar Embassy or Consulate
For Qatar, the process is similar to the UAE. You’ll need to have your documents attested by the Qatar Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Contact the nearest Qatari diplomatic mission to get information on their specific requirements and fees. At the time of writing I could only submit my documents to both via post. This may change and in the future they may allow you to go in person.
Step 7: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar / UAE
Once your documents are attested by the Qatar Embassy, they must be further attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar and the UAE. This step is typically done in Qatar/UAE, so you’ll need to coordinate with your employer or the relevant authorities once you arrive in the country. HR at my school were kind enough to take mine. At the time I paid 100QR for the final step!
I saved a lot of money doing this myself. There are many companies that can do this for you, but they are costly. Attesting your documents for a teaching post in the UAE and Qatar may seem like a complex process, but it’s a necessary step to ensure the legitimacy of your qualifications. By following these steps and carefully adhering to the specific requirements of each country, you can streamline the attestation process and ensure a smoother transition to your teaching career in the Gulf region. Remember to start the attestation process well in advance of your planned move to avoid any last-minute complications. Good luck with your teaching adventure in the UAE or Qatar! There are a range of shipping options to look into, but www.sendmybag.com is my go to for shipping a few suitcases.
