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Translation services

General translation services

General translation is for business and personal documents that no authority needs to stamp: websites, brochures, emails, manuals and everyday paperwork. You get clear, natural wording in the language your reader uses, without paying for certification you don't need.

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Overview

When a general translation is the right choice

Not every translation has to go through a legal translator. If the document is for reading, marketing or day-to-day communication, what matters is that it sounds right to the person reading it, keeps your meaning and uses the terms your industry expects. That is what a general translation does.

The line is simple. If a court, ministry, embassy or bank will rely on the document, it usually needs a certified or legal translation by a Ministry of Justice (MOJ)-licensed legal translator. If you, your team, your customers or a business partner are the only readers, a general translation is usually enough. Where the receiving side might later ask for an official version, we tell you at the start, so you only pay once.

Who it's for

Who it's for

  • 01

    Businesses reaching new customers

    Companies launching in the UAE that need Arabic or English versions of their website, brochure or menu.

  • 02

    Teams working across languages

    Employers sharing policies, notices or training with staff who read a different language.

  • 03

    Individuals

    Anyone who has received a letter or document and simply needs to understand what it says.

Our part

What we do, and what we don't

Clear boundaries, so you know exactly what you're paying for and who decides each step.

Included

  • Website pages, landing pages and product descriptions
  • Brochures, company profiles, presentations and price lists
  • Emails, letters and correspondence with suppliers or customers
  • Internal policies, staff notices and training material
  • Translations that help you understand a document you have received
  • A final read for tone and consistency before delivery

Not included

  • Stamped translations for courts, ministries or embassies, which are covered by certified and legal translation
  • Building, designing or uploading your website
  • Writing new marketing claims that are not in your original text
Documents

What to send us

  • The text in an editable format, such as a Word file, or a clear PDF
  • For websites, an export of the page text or a list of page links
  • The language pair and who will read the translation
  • Any brand terms, product names or glossary you want kept exactly as they are

Editable files are easier to work with than scans, especially for long documents.

Fees and timing

Two fees, shown separately

  • Government fees, paid at cost

    No government fee applies, because no authority is involved. You pay only our service fee, quoted in writing before work starts.

  • Global Sky PRO service fee

    Quoted in writing before we start, so you know the full cost up front.

  • Timing

    Timing depends on word count, file format and how technical the subject is. We confirm a delivery date with your quote.

Process

How it works, step by step

Each step shows who does what, so you always know where things stand.

  1. STEP 01You

    Send the text and your audience

    Share the files and tell us who will read the translation and where it will appear.

  2. STEP 02Global Sky PRO

    Quote and confirm

    We confirm the language pair and scope, and send our service fee in writing before starting.

  3. STEP 03Global Sky PRO

    Translate and polish

    We translate the text, keep your brand terms consistent and do a final read for tone.

  4. STEP 04You

    Review and publish

    You review the translation, ask for any changes, then publish or share it yourself.

Good to know

Details that save time

Translating a website for UAE readers

A website translation works best when it reads as if it had been written in the target language from the start. Arabic runs right to left, so your developer will need to adjust the layout as well as swap the text. We work from your page text and leave design and publishing to your web team.

  • Send text page by page, in the order visitors see it
  • Flag any legal pages, such as terms or a privacy policy, that may need extra care
  • Keep product names, prices and contact details exactly as they are in the original
FAQs

General translation: your questions

Short answers here. Your situation may differ, so ask us before you decide.

Still have a question?

An adviser replies during opening hours, Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00.

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When don't I need a certified translation?

When no authority will rely on the document. Marketing material, websites, internal notices, emails and documents you only need to understand can all use a general translation. If a court, ministry, embassy or bank is involved, or might be later, choose a certified or legal translation instead. Ask us if you are unsure and we check before you pay.

Which languages do you translate?

Arabic and English cover most needs in the UAE, and that is our main language pair. For other pairs, send us the document and we confirm whether we can take it on before we quote. Our team speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam and Bengali, so you can brief us in the language you are most comfortable with.

Can you translate my website?

Yes. We translate the text of your pages, product descriptions and menus, and keep brand names and contact details consistent throughout. Your developer then places the translation on the site and adjusts the layout, which matters for Arabic because it reads right to left. If it is easier, send us page links and we work from those.

How is a general translation priced?

A general translation is priced on the work involved, and no government fee applies because no authority is involved. The main factors are word count, file format, how technical the subject is and whether the text needs adapting for UAE readers, as a website or brochure often does. Send us the file or page links, and Global Sky PRO quotes its service fee in writing from the actual text before starting.

Source: UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022 regulating the translation profession

Can a general translation be used for an official application later?

Not for official use, because UAE law only accepts translations made by registered translators. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022, a UAE authority may not certify, and a court may not accept, a translated document unless a translator or translation house registered with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) prepared it. If a ministry, court or bank might rely on the document later, order a certified or legal translation from the start.

Source: UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022 regulating the translation profession

Is machine translation good enough for business documents in the UAE?

Machine translation can give you the gist of a text, but it is risky for anything customers, staff or partners will rely on. Tools often miss context, mistranslate product and legal terms, and produce Arabic that reads awkwardly or changes the meaning. For official use it is not an option, as UAE authorities and courts rely on translators registered with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). For business material, a human translator checks tone and terms before anything goes out.

Source: UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022 regulating the translation profession

Can you translate a letter or notice just so I understand it?

Yes, a general translation is the usual choice when you only need to understand a letter, email or notice you have received, such as one from a landlord, employer or supplier. It tells you what the document says, not what you should do about it. If the notice sets a deadline or makes a legal demand, speak to a licensed advocate promptly. If you later need to submit it, order a certified or legal translation.

Source: UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022 regulating the translation profession

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Documents for official use are translated by Ministry of Justice-licensed legal translators. Last reviewed 31 October 2026 by the Global Sky PRO team.

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