Academic transcripts are among the most important educational documents used worldwide for immigration, employment, higher education, professional licensing, and residency applications. In the UAE, where professionals and students from across the globe live and work, academic transcripts are frequently required for Golden Visa applications, employment visas, equivalency certificates, and professional approvals.
Despite their importance, many people are unclear about what academic transcripts are, how they differ from degree certificates, how to translate and attest them correctly, and which languages are accepted in the UAE.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about academic transcripts, including their purpose, uses, translation and attestation process, common transcript languages seen in the UAE, and how Best Attestation can handle translation and attestation in one seamless step.
What Are Academic Transcripts?
An academic transcript is an official document issued by a school, college, or university that provides a detailed record of a student’s academic history.
It typically includes:
- Student’s full name
- Name of the educational institution
- Course or program name
- Subjects studied semester-wise or year-wise
- Grades or marks obtained
- Credit hours or units
- Duration of study
- Official stamp and signature of the institution
Unlike a degree certificate, which only confirms that a qualification has been awarded, an academic transcript provides detailed academic performance data.
Academic Transcript vs Degree Certificate
Many applicants assume that a degree certificate alone is sufficient, but this is not always true.
| Academic Transcript | Degree Certificate |
|---|---|
| Detailed academic record | Proof of qualification completion |
| Lists subjects and grades | Lists degree title only |
| Required for evaluation & licensing | Required for eligibility |
| Often requested for visas | Always requested |
📌 In most UAE and international processes, both documents are required together.
Why Are Academic Transcripts Important?
Academic transcripts are used to:
- Verify educational qualifications
- Assess academic performance and credibility
- Determine eligibility for visas and residency
- Support professional licensing and equivalency
- Evaluate university admissions and scholarships
Authorities rely on transcripts to ensure that qualifications are genuine, complete, and suitable for the purpose being applied for.
Uses of Academic Transcripts
1. Immigration & Residency Applications
Academic transcripts are commonly required for:
- UAE Golden Visa (professionals, researchers, students)
- Skilled migration programs
- Employment visas
- Long-term residency applications
Immigration authorities use transcripts to:
- Verify qualification level
- Confirm field of study
- Match profession with education
2. Employment & Professional Licensing
Many UAE and international employers require academic transcripts for:
- Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals
- Engineers and technical specialists
- Teachers and academic staff
- Government and semi-government roles
Licensing authorities such as DHA, DOH, MOH, engineering councils, and education boards often request transcripts as part of their approval process.
3. Higher Education & University Admissions
Universities request transcripts for:
- Master’s and PhD admissions
- Credit transfers
- Academic evaluation
- Scholarships and grants
Without transcripts, universities cannot assess your academic background accurately.
4. Educational Equivalency & Credential Evaluation
Academic transcripts are essential for:
- Degree equivalency certificates
- Credential evaluation reports
- Professional recognition
- Regulatory approvals
These processes rely heavily on subject-wise academic records.
Do Academic Transcripts Need Translation?
Yes, academic transcripts must be translated if they are not in English or Arabic.
The UAE accepts educational documents only in:
- English
- Arabic
Any other language requires legal Arabic translation before submission to authorities.
How to Translate Academic Transcripts Correctly
Step 1: Use a Certified Legal Translator
Academic transcript translation must be done by:
- A certified legal translator
- A translator approved for official UAE use
❌ Informal, online, or self-translations are rejected.
Step 2: Ensure Complete Accuracy
The translation must include:
- All subjects and grades
- Credit hours or units
- Remarks, symbols, and abbreviations
- Institutional details and stamps
Even a minor error can result in rejection.
Step 3: Translator Certification & Stamp
- Translator must stamp and sign the translated document
- Certification statement must be included
- Translation must match the original exactly
Do Academic Transcripts Need Attestation?
Yes, in Most Cases
If an academic transcript is issued outside the UAE, it must be attested to be legally valid.
Attestation proves that the document is:
- Genuine
- Issued by a recognised institution
- Accepted by UAE authorities
How to Attest Academic Transcripts (Step-by-Step)
- Issuing Authority Verification
– University or education board confirms authenticity - Home Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- UAE Embassy Attestation in the issuing country
- MOFA UAE Attestation (final mandatory step)
📌 Without MOFA UAE attestation, the transcript cannot be used officially.
Should Translation Be Done Before or After Attestation?
✔ Recommended Practice
- Complete attestation of the original transcript first
- Then proceed with legal Arabic translation
In some cases, authorities may require:
- Attestation of both original and translated copies
Professional guidance avoids unnecessary repetition.
Academic Transcript Languages Commonly Seen in the UAE
Due to the UAE’s diverse population, academic transcripts are issued in many different languages. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most common transcript languages seen in the UAE, along with translation and attestation requirements.
English Academic Transcripts
Most Widely Accepted Language
Issued by institutions in:
- UK, USA, Canada, Australia
- International universities
- Many UAE universities
Translation Requirement
❌ Not required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Required if issued outside UAE
📌 Best Attestation helps attest English academic transcripts quickly and correctly.
Arabic Academic Transcripts
Issued by:
- UAE universities
- Middle East and North Africa institutions
Translation Requirement
❌ Not required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Required if issued outside UAE
📌 UAE-issued Arabic transcripts do not need attestation.
Indian Language Academic Transcripts
Common languages include:
- Hindi
- Malayalam
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Kannada
- Marathi
- Bengali
Translation Requirement
✔ Legal Arabic translation mandatory
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
👉 Best Attestation will help translate and attest Indian-language academic transcripts in one step, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
French Academic Transcripts
Issued in:
- France
- Canada (Quebec)
- Parts of Europe and Africa
Translation Requirement
✔ Arabic translation required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
👉 Best Attestation provides certified translation and attestation for French transcripts.
German Academic Transcripts
Issued in:
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
Translation Requirement
✔ Arabic legal translation required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
Spanish Academic Transcripts
Issued in:
- Spain
- Latin America
Translation Requirement
✔ Arabic legal translation required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
Russian Academic Transcripts
Issued in:
- Russia
- CIS countries
Translation Requirement
✔ Arabic legal translation required
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
Chinese Academic Transcripts
Issued in:
- China
- Taiwan
Translation Requirement
✔ Arabic translation mandatory
✔ Sometimes English translation required first
Attestation Requirement
✔ Mandatory
📌 Chinese transcripts often require additional verification.
Other Languages Commonly Seen in the UAE
These include:
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Turkish
- Persian (Farsi)
- Korean
- Japanese
- Thai
- Filipino (Tagalog)
✔ All require legal Arabic translation
✔ All require attestation if issued outside UAE
👉 Best Attestation supports academic transcript translation and attestation for all languages.
Benefits of One-Step Translation & Attestation with Best Attestation
Handling translation and attestation separately often leads to:
- Errors
- Rejections
- Delays
- Extra costs
Why One-Step Service Matters
✔ Correct sequence followed
✔ Certified translators used
✔ MOFA UAE compliance ensured
✔ Faster processing
✔ Single point of responsibility
Best Attestation offers a complete one-step solution, managing:
- Legal translation
- Embassy attestation
- MOFA UAE attestation
All under one service.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Translating before attestation
❌ Using uncertified translators
❌ Missing MOFA UAE attestation
❌ Name mismatch across documents
❌ Submitting incomplete transcripts
Professional handling prevents these issues.
How Long Does Transcript Translation & Attestation Take?
| Process | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| University verification | 3–7 working days |
| Embassy & MOFA | 5–10 working days |
| Legal translation | 1–2 working days |
Timelines vary by country and urgency.
Why Choose Best Attestation?
Best Attestation is a trusted provider of:
- Academic transcript translation
- Academic transcript attestation
- Degree & transcript processing
- MOFA UAE attestation
- Multi-language legal translation
What Sets Best Attestation Apart
✔ All countries covered
✔ All languages supported
✔ One-step translation & attestation
✔ Transparent pricing
✔ Pickup & delivery available
✔ Expert guidance
Conclusion
Academic transcripts are essential legal documents for immigration, education, employment, and professional recognition in the UAE. Understanding what they are, how they are used, which languages are accepted, and how to translate and attest them correctly is crucial to avoid delays and rejection.
With strict UAE regulations, even a small mistake can impact your visa, Golden Visa, job, or education plans.
By choosing a professional service, you ensure:
- Accuracy
- Compliance
- Speed
- Peace of mind
Best Attestation simplifies the entire process by offering one-step academic transcript translation and attestation, regardless of language or country of origin.
Need Academic Transcript Translation & Attestation?
Let Best Attestation handle your academic transcript translation and attestation in one seamless step.
📄 All languages supported
🌍 Worldwide documents
⚡ Fast & reliable service
🚚 Doorstep pickup & delivery
👉 Contact Best Attestation today for hassle-free academic transcript services.
