youngdoc

I am due to move over to Doha soon. I have been told i need to get my degree certificate from the UK attested. Is it sufficient to have a photocopy of my original certificate notarised by a notary public then sent to the FCO or must it be the original? I'd rather not have to have my original certificate ruined!
Thanks

Desert Dubliner

Copy to be verified by solicitor / notary public and then translated into Arabic. The translation to be stamped at the MoFA and then by the UAE embassy.

Johnnyboy11

Hi,

You need 4 stamps on a scanned colour copy of a Bachelor's Degree certificate (The word Bachelor is important because they will look for it at immigration control):

Solicitor (UK)
FCO (UK, Milton Keynes) (attestation)
Qatar Embassay (UK, London)
Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Doha, C-Ring Rd.).

No need to get a translation. There are specialist companies e.g Argentum, in the UK that will get the first three stamps for you, including taking a copy, in 2-3 working days for around £250. Then you can bring the copy with you for the fourth stamp.

Best to turn up at the Qatar MoFA at about 6:30am, find a caretaker and ask for a ticket, then wait until the place opens at 7am and you'll be one of the first to get served. Otherwise expect to queue for hours. You'll need a debit/ credit card too to pay a few Riyals.

Remember you'll need a UK Police Clearance Certificate too, but this one needs to be the original bearing all four stamps. You can use Disclosure Scotland to get a basic disclosure online for £25 if you can provide proof of a UK address and it takes around 14 days. I think there is another service available in E&W, but not too sure.

[J]

Chris Medhurst

This is making interesting reading for me as I am going through the same process at the moment. The 'fixer' (as I'm searching for the appropriate term!!) from the company I have got a job with didnt mention the copies needed to be colour.

Mine are currently with the FCO in Milton Keynes and are black and white so slightly worried i'm going to have to go through the inconvenience and expense of getting them done again. Does 30 quid a sheet feel expensive to anyone else??!!

Also the fixer has mentioned nothing to me about needing a CRB check done. Is this for a particular part of the process? Is this required for my residence visa? I only have a one month business visa at the moment and am flying on the 4th so time is of the essence!!!! If I need this i better get going on it sharpish! Thanks for your help.

Johnnyboy11

Hi, don't panic, colour copies are not essential, more desirable IMO. As long as the B&W copy is legible.

However you will need a police clearance, which is a fairly new requirement (past year or so). The back of the Immigration Form (Application for Police Clearance Certificate) reads "An original police clearance certificate of the competent state certified by the ministry of foreign affairs and the competent authorities of your country". No ifs no buts, you will need one, must be original and bearing all four stamps.

Drop me a PM with your email and I'll send you a scan of the PCC application form if you want.

[J]

youngdoc

Disclosure Scotland is acceptable for the police check from what I've read?

Chris Medhurst

Thanks. I have pm'd you.

I dont mind admitting slight panic has set in. The chances of obtaining a fully legalised CRB certificate between now and next friday. Slim to none??!!!

Johnnyboy11

Hi Chris, as I said don't panic. You will need the PCC when you apply for a residency permit, but you will likely enter on a Business Visa until the RP process is commenced and concludes. So no need for a PCC for a few months.

If it were me, I'd order a PCC immediately so you have it available if (when) needed. Then you can organise a specilaist UK company to get the 3x UK stamps and courier the PCC to you in Qatar within about a week.

I've sent you the Qatar PCC form by email.

[J]

Chris Medhurst

Thanks johnny boy.

Much appreciated. I'll apply for the crb tonight I think!

britexpat76

Both myself and my friend have not needed a PCC?? Is this just a requirement of certain professions??

Or something some PRO's can get around that others cannot??

co durham boy

Correctos !

mrblast

It is just a requirement of certain professions/nationalities. It's also more common when someone is transferring visas from one company to another.

Chris Medhurst

Nice! Feeling slightly better now!

The fixer from my company seems to have it all under control so panic over!

britexpat76

In fairness I don't know anyone that has had to do it, maybe people in finance at a guess as they are handling financial transactions.

Johnnyboy11

Well, I had to get a PCC whilst changing from private sector to public sector very recently in Qatar. My PRO couldn't help either, and he pushes these things hard (embarassingly so). Cost me over £300 and took a month to organise the PCC. Still waiting for my Degree certificate to arrive from the UK, which will be another £300, before I can speak to the nice gentleman at the immigration desk again...

Anyway, that's my recent experience.

[J]