Embassy Legalization in India – Country-wise List, Fees & Process (2026)
If the country you are going to is not part of the Apostille Convention – or is one where India’s apostille is not accepted – your Indian document needs embassy legalization: MEA attestation in New Delhi followed by the stamp of that country’s embassy. Below is our full country-wise list with a guide for each embassy we work with, from the UAE and Qatar to China, Malaysia, Thailand and across Africa.
Embassy legalization: the short answer
Embassy legalization is the final stamp a foreign embassy in India puts on an Indian document after the Ministry of External Affairs has attested it. Personal and educational documents are first verified by a notary and the SDM or the state department; commercial documents go through a Chamber of Commerce. Embassy legalization is needed for non-Hague countries; Hague countries use the MEA apostille instead. For the background on apostille, attestation and legalization, see document legalization in India.
Embassy legalization – the standard process
Find your country below
Each guide lists the documents, fees and timing for that embassy.
India-side verification
Notary + SDM or State department for personal papers; Chamber of Commerce for company papers.
MEA attestation
The Ministry of External Affairs attests the verified document.
Embassy stamp
The embassy of the destination country legalises it and collects its fee.
Destination step, if any
Some countries, such as the UAE, add a foreign-ministry step after the embassy.
Return
Scans by email and originals by tracked courier.
Embassy legalization by country – full list
Pick the destination country to open its embassy legalization guide with documents, fees and time.
Gulf, Middle East and North Africa (17)
Asia and the Pacific (18)
Africa (25)
Caribbean (2)
Going to a Hague country such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia or Europe? You need the MEA apostille, not embassy legalization.
Embassy legalization vs apostille
| Embassy legalization | Apostille | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Non-Hague countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, China, Malaysia, Thailand and others) | Hague Convention countries (UK, USA, Europe, Australia and others) |
| Chain | India verification → MEA → Embassy | India verification → MEA apostille |
| Embassy visit | Yes, each document | No |
| Extra fee | Embassy fee, set by each country | None beyond the apostille |
| Typical time | One to two weeks | A few working days |
If you are not sure which one applies, send us the country name and the document – we confirm before you courier anything.
Embassy legalization – fees
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MEA stage for personal / educational documents | ₹1,000–₹1,500 | Per document, notary + SDM + MEA |
| Commercial documents | Quoted | Chamber + MEA, per document |
| Embassy fee | Country-specific | Shown in each country guide |
| Written quote | Free | Before you send anything |
Embassy fees differ widely – personal documents may cost a modest fee while commercial documents at some Gulf embassies cost much more. Each country guide shows the current fee, and your quote converts it to rupees.
Who needs embassy legalization
Workers and families
Degrees, marriage and birth certificates for Gulf, Asian and African countries.
Students
Academic documents for countries that do not take the apostille.
Exporters
Certificates of origin, invoices and company papers for importing countries.
NRIs and investors
Powers of attorney and affidavits for property and business abroad.
Embassy legalization – sample
This is a real UAE e-attestation issued for an Indian document in October 2026, with the attestation number hidden. The UAE Embassy in New Delhi and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm the MEA stamp and signature; the embassy fee and the MOFA fee are AED 150 each, and anyone can check the document at verify.mofa.gov.ae.
Embassy legalization – FAQs
What is embassy legalization?
It is the stamp a foreign embassy in India places on an Indian document after MEA attestation, so that the document is accepted in that country.
When do I need embassy legalization instead of an apostille?
When the destination country is not a member of the Apostille Convention, or when the apostille is not used between India and that country – for example the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, China, Malaysia and Thailand.
Are all embassies in Delhi?
Most foreign embassies are in New Delhi, so we can complete the whole chain from our Delhi office.
How much does embassy legalization cost?
Our MEA stage is ₹1,000–₹1,500 per personal document; the embassy fee depends on the country and document type.
How long does it take?
Usually one to two weeks in total; some embassies take longer.
Do commercial documents follow the same process?
Yes, but they go through a Chamber of Commerce before the MEA, and embassy fees are often higher.
Related guides
Start your embassy legalization
Office: C-5 A/2, New Ashok Nagar, Delhi 110096 · Walk in or courier your documents · Returned by Blue Dart or another tracked courier · No home pickup
INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government office or embassy. Attestation and legalisation are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassies concerned. Official fees can change; we confirm the current amount in your written quote. Last updated: 27 October 2026.