Document Requirements by Destination Country
Choose where the document will be used. The country guide explains the India-side route and the separate translation, embassy or regulator step that may follow.
Start with the destination, then choose the document process
Hague, non-Hague and professional-verification destinations require different handling.
- Category 1
Hague destination
- Category 2
Non-Hague destination
- Category 3
Professional verification
- Category 4
Recipient-specific check
Understanding Your Requirements
Apostille or Embassy Attestation: What Does Your Document Need?
The final India-side legalisation depends on one thing, whether the destination country is a Hague Apostille country. The process follows the destination, not the document type.
If your destination is a Hague Apostille member, the Indian document workflow ends at the MEA apostille stamp. No embassy step after that, the apostille is the recognition.
If your destination is not a Hague member, the document goes one step further. After MEA, it needs attestation by that country's embassy or consulate in India.
Prior attestation is often required too. Before the apostille or embassy stamp, the document may need HRD, SDM, Home Department, or Chamber of Commerce attestation, depending on document type and destination authority. Gulf country requirements also vary within the region.
What Changed Recently
Three Country Changes That Matter In 2026
The Hague status of three big destinations has changed since 2022, and a lot of older agency content still has the wrong process. If you read advice older than 6 months for any of these, double-check.
Saudi Arabia became Hague in December 2022
MEA apostille is now the final India-side stamp for most Saudi documents. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia attestation is no longer the usual step. QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture and SVP for degree holders still run alongside.
Canada became Hague in January 2024
MEA apostille is the final India-side stamp. The older Global Affairs Canada plus High Commission attestation step is no longer needed. ECA through WES Canada or IQAS still runs alongside for Express Entry.
Thailand, embassy route until EIF
HCCH lists Thailand entry into force on 28 February 2027. Until entry into force and Thai recipient acceptance are confirmed, Royal Thai Embassy attestation in New Delhi is still required. Do not buy automatic Thailand apostille right now.
Gulf Comparison
GCC Documentation At A Glance
Six Gulf countries, six different document chains. This table is the answer to “which Gulf country needs embassy attestation versus apostille” in one place. We update it when an embassy or MOFA rule changes.
| Country | Hague status | India-side final stamp | MOFA location | Wafid medical | Healthcare DataFlow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Hague since 7 Dec 2022 | MEA apostille | Not needed (Hague) | Yes, all work + adult family | SCFHS via DataFlow; Mosaddaqa, QVP, Saudi Culture vary by job |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Non-Hague | UAE Embassy + MOFA in India | In India (no longer Dubai) | Abu Dhabi yes; Dubai usually no | DHA (Dubai), DOH (Abu Dhabi), MOH (other emirates) via DataFlow |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | Non-Hague | Qatar Embassy in India | Doha (sent after India-side steps) | Yes for work | QCHP via DataFlow (mandatory for clinicians) |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | Non-Hague | Kuwait Embassy New Delhi (educational); Consulate Mumbai (limited) | Kuwait (sent after India-side steps) | Yes for work + adult family | Kuwait MOH rarely asks for DataFlow; coordinated only when hospital requests |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | Hague since 30 Jan 2012 | MEA apostille | Not needed (Hague) | Yes for work | OMSB for clinicians |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Hague since 31 Dec 2013 | MEA apostille | Not needed (Hague) | Yes for standard work | NHRA via DataFlow for clinicians; LMRA for work permit |
Hague dates from HCCH Apostille Convention status table. Country-specific process detail from each country page.
Gulf Region
Gulf Countries
Country-Specific RequirementsOman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia use apostille. The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait use embassy attestation. Healthcare licensing may also require Primary Source Verification. The regulator provides the final document list.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a Hague Apostille country since December 2022: MEA apostille on Indian degrees and documents, certified Arabic translation, Wafid medical.
UAE
UAE certificate attestation from India for degree, birth, marriage and commercial documents, with MEA, UAE Embassy, MOFA and DataFlow guidance.
Qatar
Qatar attestation from India, State HRD or Home Department, Qatar Embassy in Delhi, DataFlow for healthcare staff, and Qatar Visa Center guidance.
Kuwait
Kuwait Embassy attestation in Delhi, nurse and medical staff documents, PCC, Wafid, and employment visa stamping for Indian professionals.
Oman
Oman documents from India: MEA apostille (Hague member since 2012), Wafid medical and work-permit paperwork for Muscat and Salalah employers.
Bahrain
Bahrain documents from India. MEA apostille (Hague member), DataFlow for healthcare staff, GCC medical, and work visa documentation.
Europe
European Countries
Apostille + Translation Where RequiredThese European destinations use apostille, but the next step differs. Spain, France, Germany and Poland may require a sworn translator. Italy study files may need DoV or CIMEA. Germany may require APS. Follow the list issued for your application.
Italy
Italy documents from India for study, DoV, CIMEA, family reunion, work, and citizenship. Apostille, State HRD, and certified Italian translation.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic documents from India. MEA apostille, certified Czech translation, and long-stay D visa support for Indian students and workers.
Germany
Germany documents from India. MEA apostille, certified German translation, and visa documentation for study, Ausbildung, EU Blue Card, and Chancenkarte.
France
France documents from India. MEA apostille, certified French translation, Campus France, and long-stay D visa documentation for students, workers, and families.
Spain
Spain documents from India. MEA apostille, certified Spanish translation by traductor jurado, and student or work visa documentation.
Netherlands
Netherlands documents from India. MEA apostille, certified Dutch or English translation, and MVV, Highly Skilled Migrant, and IND visa documentation.
Slovakia
Slovakia documents from India. MEA apostille, sworn Slovak translation (úradný preklad), and D National Visa documentation for skilled workers.
Slovenia
Slovenia documents from India. MEA apostille, sworn Slovenian translation (sodno overjeni prevod), and Single Permit documentation for skilled workers.
Belgium
Belgium documents from India. MEA apostille, certified French, Dutch, or German translation, and Single Permit work or study visa documentation.
Austria
Austria documents from India. MEA apostille, sworn German translation, and Red-White-Red Card or student visa documentation for Indian skilled workers.
Portugal
Portugal documents from India. MEA apostille, certified Portuguese translation, and D2, D3, D4, D7, Job Seeker, and Golden Visa documentation.
Poland
Indian degrees, PCC and civil records for Polish study, work and residence files, with apostille and accepted Polish translation.
Bulgaria
Prepare Indian academic, police and family records for Bulgarian study, work or EU permit use.
Ukraine
Check the current written instruction for Indian academic and civil records going to Ukraine.
Croatia
Apostille and translation help for Indian degrees, PCC and family records used in Croatia.
North Macedonia
Prepare Indian education and civil papers for study or work in North Macedonia.
Lithuania
Indian degree, PCC and family-document support for Lithuanian study, work and Blue Card files.
English-Speaking Countries
UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
Apostille + CredentialingThese destinations accept apostilles, but an apostille is not a credential evaluation. WES, ECE, IQAS, AHPRA, NZQA, SAQA and UK professional regulators run separate checks for particular study, migration or licensing cases. Use the country guide to identify which system applies.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom documents from India. MEA apostille for Student Route, Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and Family Visa UKVI applications.
USA
USA documents from India. MEA apostille for F-1, H-1B, J-1, Green Card, USCIS, and WES or ECE credential evaluation work.
Canada
Apostille and certified translation for Indian documents to Canada (Hague since January 2024): degrees, PCC, birth and marriage for study, work, PR and OCI.
Australia
Australia documents from India. MEA apostille, ACS, VETASSESS, EA, ANMAC skills assessment support, and visa documentation for subclass 500, 189, 190, 482, 491.
New Zealand
New Zealand documents from India. MEA apostille, NZQA evaluation guidance, and visa documentation for Skilled Migrant, AEWV, and Green List categories.
South Africa
South Africa documents from India. MEA apostille, SAQA evaluation guidance, and Critical Skills, General Work, and Study Visa documentation.
Asia & Pacific
Japan, South Korea, Thailand
Mixed Hague StatusJapan and South Korea use apostille. Thailand’s Convention entry into force is listed for 28 February 2027. Check current Thai instructions before choosing the process. Scholarship, work and marriage files also use different document sets.
Japan
Apostille and certified Japanese translation for Indian documents to Japan: degrees, PCC and personal papers for work, study and the Highly Skilled visa.
South Korea
South Korea documents from India. MEA apostille, notarised Korean translation, and visa documentation for E-7, E-9 EPS, D-2, D-4, F-2 and F-5 categories.
Thailand
Thailand document attestation from India: MEA, then Thai Embassy attestation in Delhi (non-Hague), plus certified translation for work and education.
Other Destinations
Other Countries We Cover
Less common destinations on our desk. We still run the same India-side steps: state attestation, MEA apostille or attestation depending on Hague status, then embassy if non-Hague, then translation if the destination authority requires it.
Libya
Libya document attestation from India: State HRD or Home, then MEA and Libya Embassy attestation in Delhi, plus certified Arabic translation for work visas.
Malaysia
Malaysia document attestation from India for degree, birth, marriage and PCC files, with recipient-led authentication, translation and EMGS guidance.
Step-by-Step Guides
Find the Exact Process for Your Document & Country
The most searched document and destination combinations. Each page walks through every step, from prior attestation through to the final apostille or embassy stamp.
Worldwide
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Kuwait
Italy
Slovakia
Slovenia
Czech Republic
Austria
Belgium
Portugal
Poland
Japan
South Korea
South Africa
New Zealand
Germany
France
Spain
Libya
Malaysia
Oman
Your Country Not Listed?
We support documentation for most countries worldwide. If your destination is not shown above, WhatsApp or call us with the country name and document type. We will confirm whether apostille, embassy attestation, or another process applies, along with the cost and the realistic timeline.
Country information reviewed by the SiZA Documentation Desk on 1 September 2026.