Digital Issuance and Verification of 'To Whom It May Concern' Certificates by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Fully Digital Certificate Service, Eliminating Embassy Visits

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a groundbreaking digital service that allows citizens abroad to obtain and authenticate "To Whom It May Concern" certificates entirely online, marking a significant step in the country's ambitious "Zero Government Bureaucracy" program. The streamlined three-step process eliminates the need for physical embassy visits, positioning the UAE as a leader in diplomatic digitization.

Digital-First Diplomacy Takes Center Stage

Omar Obaid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that this digital transformation reflects the UAE's commitment to innovative solutions that accelerate digital adoption across government services. The new system consolidates multiple administrative pathways into a single, more flexible procedure, dramatically reducing processing times while maintaining service quality.

Citizens can now access the service through the ministry's website or mobile application using their digital identity, complete their applications with required documents, and receive authenticated PDF certificates via email—all without setting foot in a diplomatic mission.

Targeted Services for Critical Needs

Who Benefits Most

The ministry has initially focused on two key demographics that frequently require urgent documentation: students seeking to continue their education abroad, and individuals traveling for medical treatment or accompanying patients. These groups traditionally faced significant delays when needing official documentation while overseas.

Streamlined Three-Step Process

The simplified workflow requires users to log in with their digital identity, select their certificate type and input required information, then receive the final authenticated document electronically. This represents a dramatic departure from traditional consular services that often required multiple visits and weeks of processing time.

Regional Leadership in Government Innovation

This initiative places the UAE ahead of regional competitors in diplomatic service digitization. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have modernized various government services, few have achieved complete digital transformation of consular documentation. The move mirrors Singapore's comprehensive digital government strategy, though applied specifically to overseas citizen services.

The timing aligns with the UAE's broader Vision 2071 goals, which aim to make the country the world's best by the centennial of its founding. Digital government services form a cornerstone of this vision, with the foreign ministry now joining other agencies that have eliminated physical paperwork requirements.

Economic and Strategic Implications

For UAE citizens and businesses operating internationally, this development reduces both direct costs and opportunity costs associated with obtaining official documentation. Students can now respond more quickly to university admission deadlines, while medical travelers face fewer bureaucratic barriers during health emergencies.

The initiative also strengthens the UAE's soft power projection, demonstrating technological sophistication to international partners and potentially influencing other nations to modernize their own consular services. As global competition for talent and investment intensifies, streamlined citizen services abroad become a competitive advantage.

Technical Infrastructure and Support

The ministry has established 24/7 technical support through a dedicated hotline, recognizing that digital services require robust customer assistance. This comprehensive support structure suggests the UAE is prepared for significant adoption rates and potential technical challenges during the rollout phase.

The service's four key advantages—single digital window, elimination of multiple applications, rapid processing, and enhanced flexibility—address long-standing pain points in consular services. By consolidating these improvements into one platform, the UAE has created a template that other nations may seek to replicate.