Saudi Arabia: Update on Apostille Process for Attested Certificates copy

Since Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in December 2022, individuals who require an attested certificate for immigration purposes in Saudi Arabia, including educational, marriage and birth certificates, can now utilize a simplified process with reduced processing times. Individuals seeking to use their educational certificates for employment visa purposes must submit the certificate to the Saudi Arabia Cultural Attaché (SACA) to complete the university verification and attestation process before obtaining the Apostille certificate; this process may vary slightly depending on the certificate’s country of issuance. However, individuals are no longer required to have their certificate attested by the Saudi Embassy, which reduces verification time by approximately one week. For individuals using their marriage and/or birth certificates for immigration purposes (usually as supporting evidence for a dependent visa), the Apostille certificate will suffice; similarly, for these certificates, the Saudi Embassy attestation step will no longer be required.