Fees and steps checked on
Canadian professional licence attestation makes a nursing, teaching or engineering registration from Canada usable in the UAE. Because the issuer is a regulator, not a ministry, a Canadian notary certifies the licence first. The apostille, the UAE Embassy in Ottawa and MOFA then follow.
Price: from AED 1,900 plus VAT per document, 4 to 6 weeks, with every official fee and courier included. See attestation fees.
Which regulator issued your licence
Professions in Canada are regulated province by province. Each regulator issues its own certificate of registration, licence card or letter.
| Profession | Examples of Canadian regulators | Typical document |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing | College of Nurses of Ontario; BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | Registration certificate, verification of registration |
| Teaching | Ontario College of Teachers; the teacher certification office of other provinces | Ontario Certified Teacher registration, teaching certificate |
| Engineering | Professional Engineers Ontario; Engineers and Geoscientists BC; APEGA in Alberta | P.Eng. licence or certificate, registration letter |
If your regulator is not listed, the same route applies. Send us a copy and we confirm it.
Where a Canadian licence is asked for in the UAE
- Healthcare. DHA in Dubai, DOH in Abu Dhabi and MOHAP check licences and good standing through DataFlow. That check is separate from attestation. Our guide for medical professionals and DHA explains when you need one, the other or both.
- Teaching. Schools usually want the teaching qualification and registration along with the degree. See teacher certificate attestation.
- Engineering. Employers and the bodies that register engineers in the UAE may ask for proof of your Canadian licence. Check the list your employer gives you.
- Work permit file. The licence often sits next to an attested degree. See attestation for an employment visa.
Good standing and verification letters
Many regulators send a verification of registration or good standing letter straight to the body you apply to. BCCNM, for example, emails its verification to the organisation named on your request and says it can take up to four weeks. CNO verification forms are filled in by you and then sent on by the nursing board.
A letter sent directly from regulator to regulator does not need attestation, and you could not attest it anyway. Only attest a document you hold in original form.
From regulator to MOFA, in order
- Notary in Canada. A Canadian notary public certifies the licence or a true copy of it.
- Apostille. The province where it was notarised issues it if that is Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan. Everywhere else, Global Affairs Canada does it, free of charge and with no express option.
- UAE Embassy in Ottawa. After a booking on the MOFA portal and VFS Global, the embassy attests the apostilled licence. Allow at least 3 to 5 business days. Payment is online only.
- MOFA. MOFA attestation completes the chain and the licence is couriered back to you.
Canada has been in the Apostille Convention since 11 January 2024, but the UAE has not joined. That is why the embassy and MOFA still stamp it.
What we need from you
- The original licence, certificate or registration letter.
- A copy of your passport.
- The UAE employer's or regulator's document list, if you have one.
We collect and deliver free anywhere in Dubai.
Common problems with licences
- Wallet cards. A small plastic card is hard to attest. Ask the regulator for a paper certificate or letter.
- Expired registration. A lapsed licence may be attested but rejected by the employer. Check the dates first.
- Wrong document type. A screenshot of the public register is not an original.
- Name changes. The licence name should match your passport, or bring the link document.
Degrees, transcripts and other Canadian papers follow the route on Canada certificate attestation.
Official sources
Regulator and ministry pages checked on .
