Saudi Embassy Degree Attestation Procedure: Why It Ended in 2022
If an agent or an old checklist has told you to follow the Saudi Embassy degree attestation procedure, check the date on that advice. The embassy stage for Indian degrees ended when the Apostille Convention entered into force for Saudi Arabia on 7 December 2022. This post explains what the old procedure was, what replaced it, and what to say if someone still asks for the embassy stamp.
Saudi Embassy degree attestation procedure: what applies today
Saudi Embassy degree attestation procedure is the route Indian degrees used to take for Saudi Arabia: authentication in India, MEA attestation and then legalisation by the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi. Saudi Arabia deposited its accession to the Apostille Convention on 8 April 2022, and the Convention entered into force for it on 7 December 2022. From that date an MEA apostille replaces the embassy stage.
So today the degree is notarised and authenticated by the SDM in Delhi, then apostilled by the MEA, and nothing more is added in India. INFINITYGRO charges Rs 1,000–1,500 per document all-inclusive for this, with courier extra. For document lists, professional bodies and timelines, read the full Saudi degree guide.
How the Saudi Embassy procedure used to work
Before December 2022 a degree for Saudi Arabia passed through several offices, in this order. Each one checked the stamp of the office before it.
- 1State or SDM authenticationThe state education department or the SDM confirmed the degree or the notary’s signature.
- 2MEA attestationThe Ministry of External Affairs attested the state or SDM signature.
- 3Saudi Embassy, New DelhiThe embassy legalised the MEA stamp, with its own forms, fee and waiting time.
Many checklists and agent websites still list these stages, sometimes with extra paperwork that applied to the embassy submission. None of the embassy-specific steps are needed for an apostilled degree.
Why the embassy stage dropped out
The Apostille Convention abolishes legalisation by embassies between member countries. Once it applied between India and Saudi Arabia, a single apostille from the MEA became the only authentication Saudi Arabia can ask for from India’s side.
Procedure now
- Notary attests a true copy in Delhi
- SDM authenticates the notary
- MEA apostille on the degree
- No Saudi Embassy visit or fee
No longer needed
- Saudi Embassy legalisation
- Embassy application forms and fee
- Separate MEA attestation stamp
- Waiting for embassy collection dates
When a checklist still asks for the embassy stamp
Saudi employers sometimes reuse old document lists. If yours says “Saudi Embassy attested”, try these steps before paying for anything extra.
- Ask HR whether an MEA apostille is acceptable, and get the reply in writing
- Point out that Saudi Arabia has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 December 2022
- Share the HCCH link listed under Official sources below
- Send us their reply; we tell you what, if anything, is still needed
Sending your degree under the current procedure
- 1WhatsApp a photoSend the degree and your Saudi offer or checklist. We confirm the route and total.
- 2Courier or drop offSend the original to our New Ashok Nagar office in Delhi. There is no home pickup.
- 3Notary, SDM and MEA apostilleUsually 2–3 working days in Delhi.
- 4ReturnBack to you by Blue Dart or another secure courier.
Cost now that the Saudi Embassy procedure has ended
| MEA apostille, personal or educational document | Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document, all-inclusive: notary, SDM attestation, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service |
|---|---|
| Usual time | 2–3 working days in Delhi after the document reaches us |
| Courier | Extra, both ways |
| Translation | Quoted by language and page |
There is no Saudi Embassy fee for an apostilled degree.
All charges for this country, including any embassy fee, are on its own fee page.
Saudi Arabia attestation and apostille feesFAQs: Saudi Embassy Degree Attestation Procedure: Why It Ended in 2022
Is the Saudi Embassy degree attestation procedure still followed?
Not for Indian degrees. Since 7 December 2022 Saudi Arabia has been a party to the Apostille Convention, so the MEA apostille replaces legalisation by the Saudi Embassy. The degree is authenticated in Delhi and apostilled by the MEA.
My degree was attested by the Saudi Embassy before 2022. Do I need an apostille now?
Your existing stamps stay on the degree. Whether a Saudi employer or body accepts older embassy attestation or wants a fresh apostille is its decision. Ask them, and send us their reply if they want the apostille added.
What replaced the embassy stage?
A single apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs, issued after the degree is notarised and authenticated by the SDM in Delhi. It carries a unique number and date that the receiving office can check with the MEA, so no further Indian or embassy stamp is added.
How much does the current procedure cost?
Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document in total, covering the notary, the SDM, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service. Courier is extra. There is no Saudi Embassy fee because the embassy stage is no longer part of it.
An agent quoted me for Saudi Embassy attestation. Should I pay?
Ask what the embassy stage is for. For an Indian degree going to Saudi Arabia the apostille is the correct final step, and paying for embassy legalisation on top usually adds cost without adding value.
Does this change apply to marksheets and transcripts?
Yes. Marksheets, transcripts and diplomas are also public documents for this purpose. Each takes its own MEA apostille after the notary and SDM stages, at the same rate per document, and none of them needs the Saudi Embassy stamp.
How long does the current procedure take?
Usually 2 to 3 working days in Delhi after the degree reaches us, plus courier time each way. The old embassy procedure took longer because of the extra embassy submission, the fee payment and a separate collection date.
Where can I read about Saudi professional bodies and degrees?
Our full Saudi degree guide covers the document list, the Saudi professional bodies and what Saudi Arabia checks after the apostille. This post covers only why the embassy procedure ended and what replaced it, so read both if you are preparing a job file.
Official sources
Skip the old embassy stage: apostille your degree
WhatsApp a photo of your document and the country it is for. We confirm the route, time and total in writing before you send anything.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM · office drop-off or courier, no home pickup
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Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government office or embassy. Apostilles and attestations are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassies concerned; we do not issue, correct or verify certificates. Rules and fees can change, so check the requirements of the authority that will receive your document.
Last reviewed: October 2026