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Guide: Affidavits and Declarations ยท 6 minute read
Affidavit of Support Requirements in the UAE: The Sponsor's Document Checklist
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The affidavit of support requirements are simple to list: papers about the sponsor, papers about the visitor, and the wording the receiving body wants. We draft and check the document, and our in-house notary public notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 with the name of the office that asked for the affidavit.
Checklist
Affidavit of Support Requirements at a Glance
An affidavit of support is a sworn statement by a sponsor who promises to support a visitor. Who asks for it, and what it must say, is decided by the body that receives it. That may be an embassy, a consulate or an immigration office. Ask that body first, then bring its request to us.
The sponsor signs. The visitor does not.
The sponsor brings ID and the details of the visitor.
The receiving body's wording and format come first, and we draft to it.
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the person signing and applies the seal.
If the document goes abroad, attestation comes after notarisation.
Documents the Sponsor Needs
The first of the affidavit of support requirements is proof of who you are. Bring what shows who you are and that you can sign.
Your passport or Emirates ID.
Your full name exactly as it appears on that ID.
Your contact details in the UAE.
Any proof the receiving body asked you to attach, such as employment or income papers. Ask the body which ones it wants.
We do not set the list of attachments. If the embassy or immigration office names a paper, bring it. If it does not, do not add papers it did not ask for.
Documents About the Visitor
We need to name the visitor correctly. A name that differs from the passport is a common reason an affidavit is sent back.
A clear copy of the visitor's passport.
The visitor's full name, date of birth and nationality, as in the passport.
Your relationship to the visitor.
The purpose of the visit, and the dates if the receiving body asks for them.
The receiving body's letter, form or email.
What the Affidavit Must Say
Keep it short and match the request. We draft the wording with you and check every clause.
01
Your full name and ID details.
02
The visitor's full name and passport details.
03
The promise of support that the receiving body asks for.
04
A statement that the facts are true.
05
The place and date of signing.
Do not sign before the notary appointment. The notary must see you sign. Do not copy a template from the internet, because a format accepted by one office can be refused by another. Our page on how to get an affidavit of support in Dubai covers the signing steps.
Requirements in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic, or it comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it (Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 27, on the Dubai Legislation Portal). A translation for official use is done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice, and we prepare the Arabic text through one.
In Abu Dhabi, the Judicial Department runs its own English Notary Services Bureau. It accepts English documents without a translation for the services it lists, mostly company powers of attorney and resolutions. Check whether an affidavit is on its list before you plan around English only. Our page on affidavit of support in Abu Dhabi explains that route.
Does It Go Abroad?
If the receiving body is outside the UAE, the notary step is first. A document going abroad is then attested by MOFAIC, then by the destination country's embassy or consulate in the UAE. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so these steps are not skipped. Read the MOFAIC attestation page for the current process. MOFAIC charges AED 150 for personal documents.
Watch for
Mistakes That Get the Document Refused
01
A visitor name that does not match the passport.
02
Blank fields left in the draft.
03
Signing before the notary appointment.
04
Wording that does not match what the receiving body asked for.
05
Missing attestation when the document is used abroad.
How We Prepare It
We draft the document, check every clause, prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it. You sign before our in-house notary public, in person at our office, online or on a home visit. The notary checks your ID and applies the seal. If typing is all you need, we will tell you so.
This is document work. We prepare documents; we do not represent people in court. If the matter is a dispute or needs court work, you need a practising advocate.
Prices
Fees
| Service | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of support | from AED 600 | Federal schedule: AED 300 to execute and notarise an affidavit |
| MOFAIC attestation handling, personal document | from AED 150 | MOFAIC fee: AED 150 |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | AED 50 per page to notarise a translation in the instrument |
| Home visit | Quote on request | None added by us |
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it.
What are the requirements for an affidavit of support in Dubai?
The sponsor's ID, the visitor's passport details and the wording the receiving body asks for. The notary then checks the sponsor's identity, capacity and consent, and applies the seal. Translation into Arabic is added if the document needs it.
What documents are required for an affidavit of support?
You need your passport or Emirates ID, a copy of the visitor's passport, and the letter or form from the office that asked for the affidavit. Add the attachments that office names. Do not guess, because each body sets its own list.
Does an affidavit of support need to be notarized?
Often yes, but the receiving body decides. Ask it whether it wants a notarised affidavit and whether it wants attestation as well. Our page on notarized document requirements explains what the notary checks.
Do I need an affidavit of support for a tourist visa?
That depends on the embassy or the immigration office handling the visa. Check its current instructions. If it asks for one, send us its request and we draft to it.
Who can give an affidavit of support?
The sponsor gives it, and the receiving body decides who may sponsor. We do not decide that. We draft the document for the person the body names, and our in-house notary public notarises it.
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Next Step
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it, and we will reply with what it needs and a starting price. Our office is on the 10th floor of the Battuta Gate offices, Dubai. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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