A plain guide from the DUNES Power of Attorney team. Last reviewed 4 November 2026.
A foreign power of attorney usually needs MOFA attestation in the UAE. A POA signed outside the UAE is normally notarised at home, authenticated by that country’s foreign ministry, legalised by the UAE embassy there, and then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) in the UAE. An apostille on its own is not enough, because the UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention.
What is the attestation chain for a foreign power of attorney?
- Notarise at home. The POA is signed before a notary in the country where you live.
- Authenticate with the foreign ministry. The foreign ministry of that country, or the authority it designates, authenticates the notary’s signature. In an Apostille country this is where the apostille is issued.
- Legalise at the UAE embassy. The UAE embassy or consulate in that country legalises the document.
- Attest at MOFAIC. MOFAIC attests the document when it arrives in the UAE.
- Translate into Arabic. If the document is not in Arabic, a certified translation is added so UAE offices can read it.
Why is an apostille alone not enough?
An apostille replaces the foreign ministry step between countries that are parties to the Apostille Convention. The UAE is not listed as a contracting party on the Hague Conference status table, last updated on 30 June 2026, so UAE authorities still expect the UAE embassy and MOFAIC steps. Check the status table before you rely on this, because the position could change.
How is the MOFAIC step done and what does it cost?
MOFAIC states that the original must be attested by the foreign ministry of the issuing country and can then be attested by the UAE embassy or consulate there. MOFAIC’s published fees are AED 150 for personal documents and AED 2,000 for commercial documents, and the category is decided when you apply. A news guide to MOFAIC services reports that digital attestation is not currently available for foreign-issued documents, so these go through the courier-based route. Check MOFAIC’s current service page before you apply.
How long does a foreign power of attorney take?
Each stage adds its own time. MOFAIC publishes its own processing times for its step, and the stages in the issuing country add more. One to two weeks or more is common, and some property guides suggest allowing three to six weeks when translation is also needed. Confirm the timeline for your country before you plan around a deadline.
Does the Arabic translation need to be attested?
Many UAE offices ask for a certified Arabic translation when the document is not in Arabic, and some also ask for the translation to be attested at the Ministry of Justice. Ask the receiving office which it needs. See Power of Attorney translation.
What slows a foreign power of attorney down?
- Names that differ between the passport and the document.
- Laminated or damaged pages. The UAE Embassy in London, for example, says it cannot legalise laminated documents.
- Signing before the wording has been checked for the UAE office that will use it.
- Skipping the draft review, then having to sign and legalise a second time.
What about a power of attorney signed in the UAE for use abroad?
The chain runs the other way. A UAE notary comes first, then MOFAIC attestation, then the destination country’s embassy if it requires it. See Power of Attorney from Dubai to India and Philippine Consulate Special Power of Attorney in Dubai.
Should you use a service for the UAE steps?
You can handle each stage yourself, but a missed step means starting the chain again. When you choose a provider, look for one that:
- Reviews the draft before you sign abroad
- Tells you in writing which steps your country needs, and in what order
- Quotes government fees and service fees separately
- Arranges the certified Arabic translation and the UAE attestation
- Does not offer to skip a step
See our Foreign Power of Attorney for use in the UAE service and our Power of Attorney attestation service. Once the document reaches the UAE, we can handle the remaining steps so your attorney does not need to travel.
Related guides
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change, so check with the office that will receive your document.
Frequently asked questions
Does an apostille alone work for a power of attorney used in the UAE?
No. The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille does not replace the UAE embassy and MOFAIC steps. The apostille, where one is issued, is only the home-country authentication stage.
Is MOFA attestation the same as embassy legalisation?
No. Embassy legalisation happens in the country where the document was issued. MOFAIC attestation is the final step, done in the UAE.
Does the document need an Arabic translation?
Many UAE offices ask for a certified Arabic translation if the document is not already in Arabic. Check with the receiving office whether the translation must also be attested.
How long does a foreign power of attorney take to be ready for UAE use?
Each stage adds working days, and the country of issue and the embassy involved are the main factors. One to two weeks or more is common.
Can someone in the UAE complete the UAE steps for me?
Once the legalised document reaches the UAE, the MOFAIC attestation and the translation can be arranged for you, so your attorney does not need to travel. See Foreign Power of Attorney for use in the UAE.
Need a power of attorney arranged in Dubai?
Tell us what the POA is for and where you are signing. We will confirm the type, the documents, the timeline and the cost.
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