Key takeaways
- MOFA attests commercial documents at AED 2,000 per document; a contract may count as several documents.
- Import invoices of AED 10,000 or more need MOFA e-attestation since 1 February 2023: AED 150 plus service fees.
- Late payment of invoice attestation adds AED 500 per invoice after the 14-day grace period.
- Contracts signed abroad follow the chain: issuing country, UAE embassy, MOFA.
- Courts need Arabic documents or legal translations.
Points to confirm with your lawyer
- Correct legal names and license numbers for each party.
- Clear scope, prices, payment terms and delivery terms.
- Signatures by authorised signatories, with company stamps where used.
- Which law and which courts or arbitration apply.
- Dates and version control, so the signed copy is clear.
Global Sky PRO doesn't draft contract terms or give legal advice; a lawyer should review any significant agreement.
Attestation: contracts and invoices
| Document | Route | MOFA fee |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial contract signed abroad | Issuing country, UAE embassy, then MOFA | AED 2,000 |
| Commercial contract signed in the UAE for use abroad | Signature verification, MOFA, then destination country steps | AED 2,000 |
| Import invoice of AED 10,000 or more | MOFA e-attestation (eDAS) within 14 days of the bill of entry | AED 150 plus service fees |
| Late invoice attestation | After the 14-day grace period | AED 500 fine per invoice |
MOFA's exceptions include invoices already carrying a MOFA stamp, national purchases moving goods between onshore areas, and transit shipments.
If the agreement ends up in court
UAE courts need documents in Arabic or translated by an MOJ-registered translator. Keep signed originals, emails confirming the deal and payment records together. For unpaid cheques given under an agreement, a cheque returned for insufficient funds can go directly to the execution judge since 2 January 2022.
E-invoicing is coming
From 1 January 2027, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more move to structured e-invoices exchanged through accredited providers, with smaller businesses following in July 2027. See UAE e-invoicing timeline.
We prepare documents for attestation and file MOFA requests. See invoice and agreement attestation and commercial document attestation.
Sources
- MOFA: attestation FAQs
- HCCH: Apostille Convention status table
- UAE government portal: civil cases
- Central Bank of the UAE: cheques FAQ
Official sources checked on 7 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.