When it comes to official translations in the UAE, even the smallest mistake can lead to document rejection by UAE authorities. Whether it’s for visa processing, company registration, legal contracts, or academic equivalency, an inaccurate translation can cost time, money, and reputation.

At Al-Hamd Legal Translation, we’ve handled countless cases where clients approached us after their documents were rejected — and almost all rejections had one thing in common: avoidable translation errors.

This blog reveals the top 10 reasons UAE authorities reject translated documents, along with real examples, expert solutions, and how to fix them before submission.

1. Missing Official Certification or Seal

Reason: Many translations are rejected simply because they lack the official seal or certification from a MOJ-approved (Ministry of Justice) translator.

Example:
A client submitted a birth certificate translated by a freelance translator. The Ministry rejected it because the translation was not done by a sworn translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice.

Solution:
Always ensure your translation carries:

• The official MOJ translator’s stamp

• The company seal of a licensed translation agency

• The translator’s name and license number

Pro Tip: Al-Hamd Legal Translation provides certified legal translations that are fully accepted by all UAE authorities, embassies, and courts.

2. Mismatch Between Original and Translated Document Details

Reason: Even a single digit or date mismatch between the original and translated document can trigger rejection.

Example:
In one case, the date “05/07/1991” was mistakenly translated as “07/05/1991,” causing a visa delay.

Solution:
Before submission, cross-check:

• Names (including spelling consistency with passport)

• Dates and serial numbers

• Official terms (company, designation, etc.)

Expert Tip: Use a two-step quality control like Al-Hamd’s bilingual review process — ensuring each document is checked by two professionals before final delivery.

3. Use of Non-Standard Terminology

Reason: UAE authorities follow a standardized legal vocabulary — incorrect word choices can make a document legally invalid.

Example:
Translating “Power of Attorney” as “Authorization Letter” instead of “وكالة قانونية” can cause rejection by the Notary Public.

Solution:
Always hire translators with legal background and UAE translation experience.
Al-Hamd employs Ministry-certified legal translators who specialize in UAE law and terminology.

4. Untranslated Seals, Signatures, or Notes

Reason: Omitting handwritten notes, seals, or marginal remarks can lead to a document being considered incomplete.

Example:
A property sale deed had a notarized stamp that wasn’t translated. The Dubai Land Department rejected the file.

Solution:
Ensure that every visible mark, stamp, or signature is translated and labeled (e.g., “[Seal: Dubai Notary Public]”).

5. Expired or Outdated Translation

Reason: Some UAE entities — especially immigration and visa departments — only accept translations done within the past 6 months.

Example:
A client reused an old Arabic-to-English marriage certificate translation from 2021 for a 2025 visa renewal — it was refused.

Solution:
Always confirm the validity period for translations. At Al-Hamd, all translations come with a timestamp and validity notice accepted by authorities.

6. Incorrect Language Pair or Direction

Reason: Translating from the wrong source or target language can cause mismatch issues in bilingual document reviews.

Example:
A Russian diploma was translated into English instead of Arabic — rejected by the Ministry of Education.

Solution:
UAE authorities require Arabic translations for all official submissions.
Always confirm if you need:

• Arabic ↔ English

• Arabic ↔ Other language

Al-Hamd Legal Translation supports 75+ language pairs, all compliant with UAE regulations.

7. Formatting Errors and Layout Mismatch

Reason: UAE authorities often compare translated copies with originals side by side — poor formatting can trigger suspicion of alteration.

Example:
An employment contract translated into Arabic had paragraph misalignment and missing signature placement.

Solution:
Ensure that:

• Layout matches the original

• All sections, headers, and footnotes are properly aligned

• Translator certification appears on the last page

At Al-Hamd, we replicate the exact structure and layout of your original document to maintain visual and legal consistency.

8. Missing Translator Credentials

Reason: Translations without identifiable translator details are immediately invalid.

Example:
A freelance translator submitted a document without contact info or license number — it was not accepted by the UAE embassy.

Solution:
Only MOJ-licensed translation companies like Al-Hamd Legal Translation can provide officially valid translator credentials and seals.

9. Incomplete Translation of Multi-Page Documents

Reason: Some translators skip annexes, appendices, or footnotes — causing partial translation.

Example:
A business license had its second page omitted, which contained crucial company activity details. The Department of Economic Development (DED) rejected it.

Solution:
Make sure every page — including back pages, annexures, and footnotes — is fully translated and certified.

10. Translation Not Done by a UAE-Licensed Agency

Reason: Even if the translation is accurate, documents translated abroad are often rejected unless they’re attested by the UAE embassy.

Example:
A Canadian university degree translated in Canada was refused for equivalency processing until retranslated locally in Dubai.

Solution:
Always use a UAE-licensed legal translation company.
Al-Hamd Legal Translation is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice, ensuring your documents are 100% compliant with UAE government requirements.

Quick Comparison Table: Common Errors vs. Solutions

Key Takeaways

• Always verify translator credentials and certification.

• Ensure accuracy and formatting match your original document.

• Use only UAE Ministry of Justice–licensed translators for legal, immigration, and business documents.

• Cross-check translations for dates, terminology, and seals before submission.

Final Word: Get It Right with Al-Hamd Legal Translation

Avoid rejections, delays, and resubmissions — let professionals handle your translation needs with guaranteed acceptance.

At Al-Hamd Legal Translation, we specialize in sworn, legal, and certified translations that are 100% approved by UAE ministries, courts, and embassies.

Ensure accuracy and acceptance — choose Best Legal Translation in Dubai for your next submission.