Job Discussion Forums

mintgreen · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hi all,

I'm a secondary school teacher applying for jobs in international schools in the UAE and other gulf countries.
I've read posts about the attestation of documents (degree, etc), but the info generally applies to US and UK citizens. I read that the attestation must be carried out in the country where the documents were issued, in my case Ireland. The thing is, I'm currently living in Romania.
The website for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland, states that Irish Diplomatic and Consular Offices abroad can "certify copies of original Irish documents or translations". (I'm aware that this is only one step of the process, I'd still need to send them to the Embassy of the UAE in London, as Ireland doesn't have a UAE embassy/consulate.)
If I got my documents attested here, would it be acceptable to the Ministry of Education in the UAE?
Does anyone have experience of this? Or advice?

Thanks.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Your documents must be attested in your home country - the rule applies to all expatriate employees in the UAE

mintgreen · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks Zoot.

Once they're done, that's it for life... right?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

mintgreen · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

lol, yeah, that's why I'm here in this forum. Smile

MsParker · Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 39

Apparently, it can be done by mail.

You an also enlist a trusted friend/family member to take the papers in for you. They just need to see the originals and the legalized and notarized copies.

As the laws seem to be in flux, you may also need to send official transcripts to the London branch ~ best bet is to call and make sure.

You don't need this paperwork when you arrive in the UAE, but within a month of you arrival, when you are processing your work visa.

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Hahahaa! Nothing's for life anymore, is it? But if you're referring only to the attestation of these particular documents being for life, then, yes it is. Good luck.

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

Yes, you are correct smedini. I had wrongly assumed people from western countries study at universities in their own countries. This is no longer the case, of course, and Australia seems to have become a very popular choice. Why?

smedini · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 178

Smiley07 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 7

Can someon tell me...Is it the transcript that I need to get authenticed or the actual degree? I thought that the degree (the physical partchment) was not neccessary some people are telling me this is what is needed?Thanks

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

Usually it is the actual parchment...or should I say a copy of the parchment...don't want stamps all over your original parchment.

Smiley07 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 7

Ok I was told it has to be the original copy but how is this possible? Dont really want to give away my parchtment...Does any one have expereience of this? Will a copy suffice

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

No you do not want to have stamps on the original nor send the original. For a UK degree I had a copy attested as a true copy by the British Council and that was then sent to the Commonwalth office in UK. Can the Irish Embassy stamp the copy as a true copy and then send that to the UAE Embassy.

squareandfair · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 43

If you have an original and stamped transcript from your university, you take that to a notary along with a photocopy. The notary will stamp your photocopy as a TRUE copy of the original document. Then you can take this document (and any others like your diplomas, references, certificates, etc.) to your respective embassy or DHL it to the nearest one but I don't advise you to let original documents go out of your hand.
Once you have a stamp from your embassy or consulate, then you take the stamped photocopies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a stamp.

I had to get three stamped:

1. a notary stamp to certify that my photocopies were true copies of the original document (I had to show him the original documents which had my university stamp and seal on them. I did this for my diplomas, transcripts and other required documents.)

2. an embassy stamp. I had to take certified/authenticated photocopies to my embassy for stamping on the back.

3. a Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp on the authenticated photocopies of the original documents. (Be prepared to wait in a long line. It took me more than 2 hours.)

This was all some time ago so perhaps there may be some additional steps but check with your institution. They should be able to give you the most recent requirements.

The whole shebang cost about $200.00 at the time but I am sure it will cost more now. It depends on how many documents you have. I had 5.

There is an Irish Embassy in Riyadh according to my Irish friends.

Good luck. It's worth it. The UAE is a good place to live, lots of Irish here. Wait till you see Irish Village in Dubai.