Dubai is now home to fast-growing community of Russian-speaking expats. Whether it is for business or lifestyle a large number of Russian nationals of CIS countries have settled in the UAE over the previous decade. However, relocation to the new country involves administrative as well as legal formalities that require translating official documents. Ranging from property registration to visa processing, such procedures demand legally vetted translations. Within UAE, this means using only those translators that are approved by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
Several expats are still unaware that translations for official use in Dubai must be certified by the MOJ for them to be accepted by the government departments and embassies. While online translation tools and freelance translators may look affordable as compared to certified translators, their work is not legally valid hence fails when used. It is known that UAE’s legal system plays great emphasis on accuracy and accountability, which is the reason why only MOJ-approved translators are authorized to produce translations that have legal weight attached to them.
Legal Translation Requirements in the UAE
The UAE’s translation laws are designed in such a way to protect both integrity and accuracy in communication between different languages. As per the Federal Law No. 6 of 2012, only those translators that are listened can prepare and certify official translations to be used across the government bodies. This additionally requirement may seem like a hassle but ensures that translated documents carries the same legal meaning as the original text. For expats that speak their native language, this applies to all types of official paperwork such as birth certificates and police clearance certificates. If one submits translations from non-certified sources, this can result in rejection by authorities further leading to unnecessary delays and additional experiences incurred. Also, certified legal translation is not solely limited to immigration paperwork. Instead, it is also vital for academic recognition, healthcare, employment along with real estate procedures. In each of these scenarios, an MOJ stamp on the translation is essential as it acts an assurance that the document is authentic and acceptable by the UAE law.
Why Russian Expats Need MOJ Approved Translators
Russian expats that are living in Dubai have countless situations where certified translation seems necessary. This is especially true when applying for family visa or residency as personal documents including marriage and birth certificates need to be translation into Arabic or English by a translator that is approved by MOJ. For those that are planning to start a business, trade licenses, company’s legal documents along with other necessary contracts demand precise translation to ensure that they are compliant with the UAE’s legal framework. Similarly, professionals and students also require certified translations of their degrees and employment certifications when applying for job placements or recognition. Moreover, medical records such as diagnostic reports and prescriptions must be accurately translated for hospitals and clinics to ensure better continuity of care among patients. Even in the context of legal cases such as transaction of property, notaries will only accept MOJ-stamped translations. In each of these situations, the importance of legal credibility cannot be more emphasized. Hence the stamp and signature of an MOJ approved translator can transform a document from a simple linguistic conversion into a legally recognized record ensuring highest of credibility.
Risks Associated with the Use of Non-Certified Translators
The urge to use an online or non-certified translator arises from the desire to save both time and money of the individual. However, the risk associated of doing so can far outweigh the perceived convenience. Non-certified translators are not accepted by UAE authorities and therefore any application or document that is translated by them will automatically get rejected. Inaccurate translations can also result in serious misunderstanding which can be costly to correct especially when dealing with legal or contractual agreements. Additionally, use of unverified services further poses risks to data privacy of the document as sensitive personal information such as identification numbers, family documents and bank details can be exposed when upload to insecure online tools or shared with unauthorized so-called translation experts. Also one must take note that correcting or re-translating rejected documents can result in additional costs and delays which holds the tendency to disrupt timelines for property renewals and court hearings.
Ensuring that Smooth Legal and Administrative Processes are Followed
One must acknowledge the fact that choosing an MOJ-approved translator is a practical, and quite a long-term decision. Therefore, those that are planning to build a life or business in Dubai, having a reliable translation partner on board ensures that smoother interactions occurs whether it be government offices or healthcare institutions. This minimizes the risk associated with legal complications and helps to maintain highest level of compliance with local regulations.
Dubai offers mega set of opportunities for Russian speaking residents but successfully navigating its legal and bureaucratic landscape requires both precision and compliance. This means that every official document whether it is written in Arabic, Russian or English must communicate its content accurately and lawfully.
