When it comes to legalizing documents for use in the UAE or abroad, you’ll often hear the terms MOFAIC attestation and MOFA attestation. While they may sound similar, there is a clear difference between the two — especially if you’re dealing with documents issued outside the UAE.
In this guide, we’ll explain what MOFA and MOFAIC are, how their attestation processes differ, and when you need each.
1. What is MOFA Attestation?
MOFA stands for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a generic term used in many countries for the government body that manages foreign relations.
MOFA attestation means that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where the document was issued confirms the authenticity of that document.
For example:
- In India, MOFA attestation is handled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- In Saudi Arabia, the MOFA in Riyadh handles attestation for documents.
2. What is MOFAIC Attestation?
MOFAIC stands for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which is the official name for the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MOFAIC attestation refers specifically to attestation done inside the UAE by the UAE government. It is usually the final step before your document is legally valid for use in the UAE.
3. Key Differences Between MOFAIC and MOFA Attestation
The key difference between MOFA attestation and MOFAIC attestation lies in where and when the process takes place. MOFA attestation is a general term used for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in any country, and it is carried out in the document’s country of origin to verify its authenticity before it is sent abroad. On the other hand, MOFAIC attestation is specific to the United Arab Emirates — it is performed by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation inside the UAE, usually as the final step after the document has already been verified by the issuing country’s authorities and the UAE Embassy there. In simple terms, MOFA attestation happens before the document enters the UAE, while MOFAIC attestation happens after the document reaches the UAE to make it legally valid for official use.
4. Example Process – Indian Degree for Use in the UAE
If you have an Indian educational certificate you want to use for employment in Dubai:
- Notarization in India (by notary public, if required)
- State HRD attestation (Human Resource Department)
- Indian MOFA/MEA attestation (in India)
- UAE Embassy attestation (in India)
- MOFAIC attestation (in UAE – final step)
5. Why MOFAIC Attestation is Important in the UAE
In the UAE, MOFAIC attestation:
- Makes your document legally valid for visa processing, job applications, higher studies, or business use
- Is required for both UAE-issued and foreign-issued documents
- Ensures that the document has gone through proper verification from its country of origin
6. MOFAIC Attestation Fees in the UAE
- Personal documents – AED 150 per document
- Commercial documents – AED 2,000 per document
(Fees subject to change – always check the MOFAIC website for updates)
7. Get Professional Help with Attestation
The attestation process can be time-consuming, especially if you have documents from multiple countries. Best Attestation UAE is a MOFA-approved center that can:
- Handle all pre-attestation steps in the country of origin
- Complete MOFAIC attestation in the UAE
- Offer document pickup and delivery services
Final Thoughts
In short:
- MOFA attestation – done in the document’s country of origin before embassy attestation.
- MOFAIC attestation – done inside the UAE as the final legalization step.
If you’re unsure which process you need, working with a professional attestation service like Best Attestation UAE ensures your documents are handled correctly, saving you time, effort, and mistakes.
