Factors that affect translation cost in UAE

Factors such as the language pair, document volume, delivery timeline, and required certification influence translation fees in the UAE.

Language pair complexity

Not all language combinations cost the same. Arabic-English translations are affordable due to high demand. Rare pairs like Japanese-Arabic, Russian-Arabic, or Chinese-Arabic can be 30-50% more expensive because fewer qualified translators are available and specialized skills are needed.

Document complexity and specialization

A simple email differs from a 50-page legal contract. Legal documents need translators with legal backgrounds. Medical and technical translations also require specialists. This expertise commands premium rates, and complex content may cost 50-100% more.

Urgency and turnaround time

Standard services take 1-3 business days. Rush and same-day services increase fees by 20% to 50%. Extra charges may apply for weekend or after-hours requests. Planning helps lower costs.

Certification requirements

MOJ-certified translations are needed for official UAE documents. These translations require official stamps, credentials, and attestation, adding 40-100 AED per page. Embassy or ministry attestation brings more fees.

Document volume

Translation agencies often offer volume discounts for large projects. For example, if you are translating multiple documents or large volumes of text, you can often negotiate rates that are 10-25% lower than the standard per-page or per-word pricing. Some agencies offer business packages for organizations with ongoing translation needs.

Service provider reputation and credentials

MOJ-certified agencies charge premium fees for quality assurance and faster turnaround. Budget providers can result in rejected translations, leading to delays and additional resubmissions.

Average translation costs in UAE (2025)

The average translation fee in the UAE ranges from AED 70 to 200 per page. Based on current market rates, here is what you can expect to pay for different types of translation services in Dubai and across the UAE:

Note: A standard page is typically calculated as 200-300 words. Some agencies charge per source word, others per target word, so always clarify the pricing basis upfront.

Interpretation Services

If you need spoken language services rather than written translation:

• Consecutive interpretation: 300 – 500 AED per hour
• Simultaneous interpretation: 800-1,500 AED per day (requires specialized equipment)
• Business meeting interpretation: 400-700 AED for half-day sessions
• Legal interpretation (court): 500-1,000 AED per session

What are the most commonly translated documents in UAE?

Commonly translated documents in the UAE include birth certificates, business licenses, medical records, and academic transcripts. Here is a detailed breakdown of fees for the most commonly translated documents:

Important: Urgent or same-day certified translation services for these documents typically cost 30-50% more than standard turnaround times. Plan ahead whenever possible to avoid additional rush fees from your translation agency.

Most commonly translated languages in UAE

Arabic and English are the most requested translation pair in the UAE, accounting for over 60% of all requests. Dubai’s diversity means many other languages are regularly translated for business, legal, and personal needs.

• Arabic-English / English-Arabic: AED 0.30 – 0.50 per word or AED 50 – 200 per page.
• Urdu-Arabic / Urdu-English: AED 0.35-0.60 AED per word and AED 75 – 200 per page. Learn more about our Urdu translation services.
• Hindi-Arabic / Hindi-English: AED 0.35-0.60 AED per word, AED 70 – 200 per page.
• Filipino (Tagalog)-Arabic / Filipino-English: AED 0.40-0.65 per word and AED 75 – 210 per page.
• Chinese-Arabic / Chinese-English: AED 0.60-1.00 AED per word and AED 200+.
• French-Arabic / French-English: AED  0.45-0.75 per word, AED 150 – 300  0.7 per page for specialized legal content.
• Russian-Arabic / Russian-English: AED  0.55-0.9 per word and AED 120 – 300 per page.
• Persian (Farsi)-Arabic / Persian-English: AED 0.50-0.80 per word and AED 100 – 300 per page.
• German, Spanish, Italian: AED 0.50-0.85  per word and AED 150 – 250 per page.
• Japanese, Korean:  AED 0.80-1.20 per word, AED 200 – 400 per page.

Do you need specialized legal translation services in any of these languages? Request a quote from Legal Translator to ensure your documents meet MOJ requirements and are accepted by UAE government entities.

Translation process in the UAE: Step-by-step

Certified translation in the UAE involves preparing and submitting your documents, paying the fee, having them translated by an MOJ-approved translator, and receiving your documents. Here’s how professional legal translation typically works in the UAE:

Document submission and assessment

You submit your document online (via email or secure upload portal). The agency reviews your document to assess the language pair, length, complexity, and whether certification is required. They’ll provide a formal quote with turnaround time and clarify if any additional attestation services are needed.

Translation assignment

Your document is assigned to a qualified translator with relevant expertise. For legal documents, this means a translator with a legal background and MOJ certification. For medical documents, a translator with healthcare or pharmaceutical knowledge is required. Specialized translators ensure accuracy in terminology and context, which is critical for official acceptance.

Translation execution

The translator works on your document, maintaining format, structure, and meaning while adapting content appropriately for the target language. For legal documents, this includes proper translation of legal concepts that may lack direct equivalents across legal systems.

Quality assurance review

Reputable agencies implement a second review by another qualified translator or editor. This quality control step catches errors, ensures consistency, and verifies that terminology meets industry standards. For certified translations, the reviewer also confirms that all certification requirements are met.

Certification and stamping

For certified translations required by UAE government entities, the translator or agency adds their official stamp, signature, and credentials. This certification attests that the translation is accurate and complete. The document is printed on official letterhead with security features to prevent tampering.

Delivery

You receive your completed translation via your preferred method: email for digital copies, in-person pickup, or courier delivery for original certified documents. Many agencies offer same-day pickup in Dubai or next-day delivery across the UAE.

Tips to save money on translation services

Translation is an investment in accuracy and compliance, but there are smart ways to manage fees without compromising quality:

• Use editable file formats: Submitting documents in Word, Excel, or editable PDFs significantly reduces costs compared to scanned PDFs or images.

• Bundle multiple documents: Translating several documents together often qualifies you for bulk discounts of 10-25%.  Agencies can assign the same translator to bulk orders to ensure consistency while reducing per-document costs.

• Plan ahead to avoid rush fees: Same-day or next-day delivery can cost 20-50% more. Standard turnaround (2-3 business days) costs significantly less. Unless you’re facing an urgent deadline, planning ahead saves substantial money.

• Only use certified translation when required: Not all translated documents need official certification. If you’re translating for internal business purposes, personal use, or a preliminary review, standard translation without MOJ certification costs 40-100 AED per page less.

• Compare multiple providers: Translation quality and pricing vary significantly across Dubai translation agencies. Request quotes from 3-4 reputable translation agencies before committing. However, don’t choose based solely on price; verify MOJ certification, experience with your document type, and reviews from previous clients.

• Provide clear instructions and reference materials: Provide translators with glossaries, preferred terminology, prior translations, and any specific requirements upfront. Clear instructions reduce back-and-forth communication and minimize revision rounds.

• Consider translation memory for ongoing needs: If your business requires regular translation of similar documents, ask about translation memory (TM) systems. These databases store previously translated segments, allowing agencies to apply them to new documents with similar content. Over time, this reduces costs by 20-40% for repetitive content while ensuring consistency across all translations.

Choosing the right translation provider in UAE

The cheapest translation isn’t always the best translation. Government rejections, legal complications, or business miscommunications from poor-quality translation cost far more than investing in reputable services upfront. Here’s what to evaluate:

Verify MOJ certification

For any documents submitted to UAE government entities, the translator must hold a valid Ministry of Justice certification. This isn’t optional; uncertified translations will be rejected, wasting your time and money. Ask providers to show their MOJ certification credentials and verify they’re current.

Assess industry-specific experience

Translation requires more than language fluency; it demands subject-matter expertise. A translator who excels at marketing content may struggle with legal contracts or medical terminology. Choose providers with proven experience in your specific field. Ask about their translators’ backgrounds, qualifications, and previous projects similar to yours.

Review client testimonials and case studies

Reputable agencies showcase client reviews, testimonials, and case studies demonstrating their track record. Look for feedback from clients with similar needs. If you need legal translation, prioritize agencies with strong client testimonials from legal clients.

Confirm realistic turnaround times

Be wary of providers promising unrealistically fast turnarounds at suspiciously low prices. Quality translation takes time; rushing increases the risk of errors. Reliable agencies provide honest timelines based on document complexity and length.

Evaluate location and accessibility

For certified translations that require original stamps and in-person submission to government entities, choose providers with convenient Dubai locations. This saves time and courier costs. However, for digital-only translations, location matters less than expertise and reputation.

Request sample translations

For large or ongoing projects, request sample translations before committing. This allows you to evaluate quality, style, and accuracy firsthand. Reputable agencies accommodate this request for substantial projects, demonstrating confidence in their work.

Unique approach at Legal Translator: We recognize that translation is just one step in your larger goal, whether that’s securing a visa, completing a business transaction, or meeting legal requirements. Our legal translation specialists have worked extensively with UAE government entities and know precisely what each institution requires, saving you time, money, and frustration. We also maintain consistent translator assignments for ongoing clients, ensuring terminology consistency across all your documents.

Need certified translation in the UAE for immigration, legal, and official documents? Request a free quote to get started.