Are you someone who is planning to go abroad for studies, for a job, or for a business opportunity? Then the first step is getting your documents ready and legally authorised to fly across countries. The process of verifying your documents and authenticating them is called attestation. It is done in two levels, like HRD and MEA, through their attestation centres in India.
Want to know about those two attestation processes and how they differ from each other? Read this blog and discover the steps you need to take on your journey!
What HRD Attestation Means?
Human Resource Development (HRD) attestation is the process of authenticating your educational documents and certificates by the state government. It can be done from centres like HRD attestation in Delhi, HRD attestation in Mumbai, HRD attestation in Chennai, etc.
It is an important step in verifying your details for the processing of student visa, work visa, and employment visa. The purpose of this attestation is to validate the genuineness of your qualifications and educational background for international acceptance.
What MEA Attestation Means?
MAE attestation is like a higher authority than HRD attestation. It involves verifying the authenticity of the documents required to move abroad. This is basically done by the country’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), like the MEA attestation in Hyderabad. This marks the final step in your document verification process.
While undergoing this procedure, your documents will have an Apostille stamp if your destination country comes under the Hague Convention, as it is followed in Apostille attestation in Bangalore. If your destination country is not on the Hague’s list, you will receive a normal attestation.
Why MEA Attestation Is Mandatory After HRD?
As mentioned above, MEA attestation marks the final step in your document verification procedure. During the HRD step, your documents will be authenticated, but in the MEA attestation, they will be cross-checked once again to make sure your documents are correct before the final embassy attestation or apostille, and you can have a safe onboarding to foreign countries. Here is why it is important:
- All your documents, including your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and educational certificate, are used to authenticate your details.
- This allows your documents for international use since it is a central government verification process.
- Without MEA attestation, your documents won’t be accepted by foreign countries for various purposes, like visa processing or relocating abroad.
- Foreign countries require this MEA stamp to confirm that your details are legitimate before they approve anything.
Difference Between SDM & HRD Authentication
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and HRD authentication are types of attestation that have some differences. SDM attestation involves authenticating your documents before the final verification from MEA. This acts as an alternative to HRD attestation when there is no mandatory requirement for HRD attestation.
In general, HRD attestation can authenticate only your educational documents. But, SDM attestation can authenticate both educational and personal documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and more.
Also, SDM attestation can be done within 5 to 6 working days. However, HRD attestation can take a little longer compared to SDM. While HRD remains slower, SDM attestation offers a quicker authentication process.
When HRD Isn’t Required at All?
Here are the situations where you will not require an HRD attestation:
- When you need to authenticate your personal or commercial documents other than educational documents, like degree or diploma certificates and marksheets.
- When there is no need for HRD attestation for MEA attestation. In such cases, you can take advantage of SDM attestation, which is quicker than HRD attestation.
- When your destination country accepts alternatives to HRD or MEA attestations. This is entirely dependent on the rules and regulations of the destination country.
HRD Requirements for Each Indian State
Though the core process is the same for HRD attestation in all Indian states, the requirements for it can vary as per the state. HRD attestation in Delhi might require some documents, while it can or cannot be the same requirement with HRD attestation in Mumbai or HRD attestation in Chennai. So, the best option is to check with your attestation centres and have the required documents ready for the authentication process.
The following are the documents required for HRD attestation:
- Your original documents, like your degree/diploma certificates or marksheets
- A copy of your passport
- Passport-sized photographs
- An application form from the HRD attestation centre with details filled in it
- Any other additional documents required by your state’s HRD attestation centre
Step-by-Step Combined HRD + MEA Process
The general attestation process flow involves the following procedure:
- Notary
- HRD attestation
- MEA attestation
- Embassy
At first, you can get your original documents notarised from your local public Notary’s office. This is the basic step before going for state-level authentication.
Next, you need to appear for HRD attestation. Here, you will provide your educational details to authenticate them. They will check with your university or institution that issued the document and get a verification letter from them. Then, this will be submitted to the HRD attestation centre.
After this, your documents will be sent to an MEA attestation centre for final verification. This will be done through some service providers like Talent MEA centre. The MEA will verify if the stamps and seals are correct. If everything is good, the MEA will provide its official stamp or seal. This means MEA is legalising and authenticating the documents to use them in foreign countries.
If your destination country is not under the Hague Convention, then you need to undergo one more step for attestation. That means an embassy or a consulate of the destination country is needed after MEA attestation.
Wrapping up
Your dream to go abroad can happen fast if you have your documents prepared and verified properly. Though the process might sound big and a little difficult, it can be easily completed if your documents are valid and proper. So what are you waiting for? Grab the necessary documents and visit the Talent MEA centre to make your abroad preparation journey smoother and hassle-free!