How to Get an Affidavit of Support Attested in the UAE: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting an Affidavit of Support attested in the UAE can seem like a daunting task, but it's a very common process, especially for those sponsoring family members abroad for visa, study, or immigration purposes. Think of this guide as a chat with a friend who's been through it and knows the ropes. We'll break down exactly what you need to do, step by step, ensuring your document is recognized internationally.

At its core, an Affidavit of Support is a legal document where an individual (the sponsor) pledges financial responsibility for another person (the beneficiary). It's often required by foreign governments or institutions to ensure the beneficiary won't become a public charge in their country. The attestation process in the UAE simply validates that this document, and the signature on it, is authentic and legally recognized within the UAE, making it acceptable for use internationally.

What You'll Need: The Essential Checklist

Before you begin, gather these crucial documents. Missing even one can cause delays.

• Your Emirates ID: Original and a copy. This is your primary identification in the UAE.
• Your Passport: Original and a copy.
• Beneficiary's Passport Copy: A clear copy of the person you are sponsoring.
• Proof of Income/Financial Capacity: This is critical.
  • Salary Certificate: From your employer, clearly stating your monthly or annual income. Make sure it's recent.
  • Bank Statements: For the last 3 to 6 months, showing consistent income and sufficient funds.
  • Labour Contract: Sometimes requested to verify employment.
• Draft Affidavit of Support: This is the actual document you need attested.
  • It should be typed, not handwritten.
  • It must clearly state your intention to support the beneficiary.
  • Include your full name, passport details, address, and the beneficiary's full name, passport details, and relationship to you.
  • Crucially, it needs to specify the purpose of support (e.g., for student visa, family visit visa, immigration).
  • Tip: If the receiving country or institution provides a specific format or template for the affidavit, use that template. This avoids issues later. Otherwise, a legal typing center or a lawyer can help you draft one.
• Any additional documents required by the receiving country: For example, if it's for a student visa, you might need an admission letter.

The Step-by-Step Attestation Process

This process typically involves three main stages: drafting, notarization, and attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by the respective embassy/consulate if required.

Step 1: Draft the Affidavit of Support

Your first move is to get the affidavit drafted correctly.

• Self-Drafting (if you have a template): If the receiving entity (e.g., a university, an immigration department) provides a specific format, type it out carefully, ensuring all details are accurate.
• Legal Typing Centers: This is a popular and cost-effective option in the UAE. Many typing centers specialize in legal documents and can draft the affidavit for you based on your details and the requirements of the receiving country. Expect to pay around AED 50-200 for this service. They often have standard templates for various purposes.
• Lawyer: If your case is complex or requires specific legal nuances, consulting a lawyer is an option, though it will be more expensive.

Important: The affidavit must be in Arabic, or bilingual (Arabic and English). If you draft it in English, it will need to be legally translated into Arabic for notarization. Typing centers usually handle this as part of their service.

Step 2: Notarization at the Notary Public

Once drafted, the affidavit needs to be notarized. This step officially verifies your signature and identity.

1. Locate a Public Notary: In the UAE, notarization is done at the Dubai Courts Notary Public (for Dubai) or similar departments in other emirates (e.g., Abu Dhabi Judicial Department). You can often find branches in various government service centers.
2. Required Documents: Bring all the original documents from the checklist above, especially your Emirates ID and passport, along with the drafted affidavit and proof of income.
3. Appearance: You, the sponsor, must be present in person before the Notary Public. They need to witness your signature.
4. Verification and Signature: The Notary Public will verify your identity, review the document, and then you will sign the affidavit in their presence. They will then stamp and sign the document, making it legally notarized within the UAE.
5. Cost: Notarization typically costs around AED 100-200, depending on the number of pages and the specific service.

Practical Tip: Some Notary Public offices require prior online booking or can have long waiting times. Check their website or call ahead.

Step 3: Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC)

After notarization, the document needs to be attested by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC). This step authenticates the notary's seal and signature, making the document recognized for international use.

1. Online or In-Person: MOFAIC offers attestation services both online (via their website or app MOFAIC UAE) and through their customer happiness centers located across the UAE.
2. Online Process (Recommended for speed and convenience):
   • Visit the MOFAIC website or download the MOFAIC UAE app.
   • Create an account or log in.
   • Select "Attestation of Documents" and follow the prompts.
   • Upload clear scans of your notarized Affidavit of Support and your Emirates ID.
   • Pay the required fee online.
   • You'll usually receive an SMS or email notification when the document is ready. You can then opt for courier delivery (additional cost) or collect it in person from a MOFAIC center.
3. In-Person Process:
   • Visit a MOFAIC Customer Happiness Centre.
   • Take your original notarized Affidavit of Support and your Emirates ID.
   • Submit the documents at the counter, pay the fee, and collect the attested document after processing.
4. Cost: MOFAIC attestation usually costs AED 150 per document. Courier fees are separate if you choose that option.
5. Processing Time: Online attestation can be very quick, sometimes within a few hours to 1-2 business days. In-person processing is often immediate.

Step 4: Embassy or Consulate Attestation (If Required)

For many countries, the MOFAIC attestation is the final step within the UAE. However, some countries, particularly for immigration or long-term visas, require an additional attestation from their own embassy or consulate in the UAE.

• Check the Requirements: Crucially, confirm with the embassy or consulate of the country where the affidavit will be used whether they require their own attestation. Do this before you start the process, or at least before MOFAIC attestation.
• Process:
  1. Contact the specific embassy or consulate in the UAE (e.g., US Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Indian Consulate).
  2. Inquire about their attestation requirements, fees, and processing times. They will usually require the MOFAIC-attested document, your passport, and their specific application form.
  3. Submit the document and pay their fees.
• Cost & Time: Embassy/consulate fees vary widely (from AED 50 to AED 200+) and processing times can range from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Key Considerations & Practical Tips

• Always Check with the Receiving Authority: This is the golden rule. The requirements for an Affidavit of Support can vary significantly depending on the country, institution, and purpose. Before you start, contact the embassy, university, or immigration department that requested the affidavit to confirm their specific format, content, and attestation requirements.
• Financial Capacity: Ensure your proof of income genuinely reflects your ability to support the beneficiary. Underscoring this is key to the affidavit's credibility.
• Language: As mentioned, if the affidavit is not in Arabic or bilingual, it will need a legal translation for notarization in the UAE.
• Copies: Always keep multiple copies (scans and physical) of the attested document for your records.
• Be Patient and Prepared: While the process itself is straightforward, government processes can sometimes have unexpected delays. Ensure all your documents are in order to minimize issues.
• Validity: Generally, attested documents don't have an expiry date unless specified by the receiving authority. However, proof of income (like salary certificates or bank statements) should always be recent.

Common Questions

Q: Can someone else get my affidavit notarized or attested for me? A: No, for notarization, you, the sponsor, must be present as your signature needs to be witnessed. For MOFAIC attestation, if you've chosen the online route, you don't need to be physically present. If you're going in person, you can sometimes send a representative with an authorization letter, but it's always safer and often required for the actual sponsor to go.

Q: What if my salary is not high enough? A: The definition of "high enough" depends entirely on the requirements of the receiving country/institution. If your salary alone isn't sufficient, you might need to show significant savings in your bank account, or sometimes a co-sponsor is allowed – but again, check with the requesting authority.

Q: How long is an Affidavit of Support valid for? A: The attestation itself doesn't expire. However, the information within the affidavit, especially regarding your financial situation, is only current as of the date it was signed. The receiving authority might request a recent affidavit if too much time has passed.

Q: Can I use an Affidavit of Support drafted outside the UAE? A: If it's drafted and notarized outside the UAE, it would need to be attested by the UAE embassy in that country, and then by MOFAIC upon arrival in the UAE, effectively reversing the process. It's generally easier to draft and attest it entirely within the UAE if you are a resident here.

Next Steps

Once your Affidavit of Support is fully attested (by MOFAIC and potentially the embassy/consulate), it's ready to be sent to the beneficiary or the requesting institution. Make sure to send it via a reliable courier service that provides tracking.

This process, while requiring a few steps, is manageable when you know what to expect. By preparing your documents, understanding each stage, and confirming requirements with the final destination, you'll navigate the attestation process smoothly and successfully.