Arabic Translation Services UK. English to Arabic & Arabic to English
Global LTS provides professional Arabic translation for UK businesses and individuals, covering translation in both directions across all document types and sectors. Arabic is the official language of 26 countries, spoken by over 420 million native speakers across the Middle East and North Africa. The Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, represents one of the most significant export markets for UK businesses. Our Arabic translators are native speakers with subject-matter expertise, working within our ISO 17100:2015 certified process. Get a free quote.
Modern Standard Arabic or Dialectal Arabic?
Arabic is not a single uniform language. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the formal written language used across all Arabic-speaking countries for business, legal, official, and formal published content. It is the correct choice for almost all business translation. Dialectal Arabic covers regional spoken varieties used in everyday conversation, appropriate for consumer-facing content targeting a specific national audience.
For business documents, legal texts, technical manuals, official correspondence, and packaging: Modern Standard Arabic is the correct choice. It is understood by educated Arabic speakers across all 26 Arabic-speaking countries.
For consumer marketing targeting a specific country: Dialectal Arabic may produce a more natural-feeling result for that audience. Gulf Arabic for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Egyptian Arabic for Egypt, Levantine Arabic for Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
We confirm which variety is appropriate for your project before translation begins. See our post on Modern Standard Arabic vs Dialectal Arabic for a full explanation.
Right-to-Left: The Arabic Layout Requirement
Arabic is written right to left. This affects every formatted output. Brochures, packaging, websites, software interfaces, and video subtitles all require the entire layout to be mirrored, not just the text to be swapped. Arabic text also typically expands by 20 to 30 per cent relative to English, which compounds the layout challenge.
Our in-house DTP team handles RTL typesetting and layout mirroring for all Arabic projects. We work in InDesign, Word, PDF, HTML, and all major file formats. Planning for Arabic from the start of a design project is significantly more efficient than retrofitting a finished English layout. See our post on right-to-left layout for Arabic translation for a full practical guide.
Documents We Translate
- Business contracts and commercial agreements
- Technical manuals, user manuals, and product specifications
- Legal documents, patents, and IP agreements
- Pharmaceutical and medical documentation
- Financial reports, prospectuses, and regulatory filings
- Marketing content, brochures, and product copy
- Website content and e-commerce product pages
- Product packaging and GCC-compliant labelling
- Birth certificates, marriage contracts, and civil documents
- Academic transcripts and diplomas
- Criminal records and police clearance certificates
- Company registration and corporate documents
- Court documents and notarial deeds
Industries We Serve
Energy and Construction
The Gulf region is a major destination for UK engineering, construction, and energy sector businesses. Technical documentation, project specifications, contracts, and safety documentation require accurate translation into Arabic for project delivery and regulatory compliance in GCC countries.
Financial Services
UK financial services firms operating in the Gulf need documentation compliant with local financial regulatory frameworks. Investment documentation, fund prospectuses, regulatory filings, and client-facing materials require translators familiar with both UK and GCC financial conventions.
Manufacturing and Technical
Products exported to GCC countries must carry Arabic-language documentation and labelling. User manuals, safety data sheets, and product specifications must be accurately translated and correctly typeset for RTL delivery. See our technical translation services page.
Legal
Commercial contracts between UK and Arab-world parties, IP agreements, company formations, court submissions, and certified personal documents. Our legal translators are familiar with both common law and civil/Sharia law frameworks relevant to Arabic-language legal translation.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Medical device and pharmaceutical companies entering GCC markets require Arabic-language documentation compliant with Saudi FDA, UAE Ministry of Health, and other national regulatory frameworks. See our medical translation services page.
Food and Consumer Goods
Arabic labelling is a legal requirement for consumer products sold in GCC countries. Mandatory labelling information differs by country and product category. RTL layout requirements apply to all Arabic packaging text.
Our Arabic Translation Process
Step 1: Brief and variety confirmation
We confirm the target market, whether Modern Standard Arabic or a regional dialect is required, and any RTL layout requirements. We review existing Arabic materials to ensure consistency with previous translations.
Step 2: Translator assignment
We assign a native Arabic translator with subject-matter expertise in your sector. All translators have a minimum of five years of specialist experience and hold relevant qualifications.
Step 3: Translation in MemoQ
We use MemoQ translation memory on all Arabic projects. Approved terminology is stored and applied consistently throughout the project and across future projects, ensuring consistency across your Arabic document set over time.
Step 4: Second-linguist review
Every Arabic translation is reviewed by a second qualified linguist before delivery. This is a mandatory requirement of our ISO 17100:2015 certified process.
Step 5: RTL typesetting and delivery
For formatted documents, our DTP team handles RTL layout mirroring, font selection, and text fit adjustments before final delivery. Documents are returned in your required file format, ready for use or print.
Certified Arabic Translation
We provide certified Arabic translations accepted by UKVI, the Home Office, HM Passport Office, and UK courts. Arabic is one of the most commonly translated languages for UK immigration purposes, with documents regularly required from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Iraq, and the UAE.
Arabic documents present specific challenges including right-to-left script, Arabic-Indic numerals in some countries, and significant variation in document formats between issuing countries. Our translators are familiar with document conventions across the main Arabic-speaking countries. See our guide to certified Arabic translation in the UK and our certified translation services page for full details.
From the Global LTS Blog
- Modern Standard Arabic vs Dialectal Arabic: Which Does Your Translation Need?
- Certified Arabic Translation in the UK: Documents, UKVI Requirements, and What to Expect
- Right-to-Left: What UK Businesses Need to Know About Arabic Document and Website Translation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you translate into Modern Standard Arabic or dialectal Arabic?
Both. For business, legal, technical, and official content we translate into Modern Standard Arabic, which is understood across all Arabic-speaking countries. For consumer-facing content targeting a specific national market, we can use the appropriate regional dialect. We confirm which is required before translation begins.
Do you handle right-to-left layout?
Yes. Our in-house DTP team handles RTL typesetting and layout mirroring for all formatted Arabic documents. We work in InDesign, Word, PDF, HTML, and all major formats.
Can you certify an Arabic translation?
Yes. We provide certified Arabic translations with a signed statement of accuracy accepted by UKVI, the Home Office, UK courts, and other official bodies.
Do you translate both English to Arabic and Arabic to English?
Yes. We translate in both directions across all document types. UK businesses receiving Arabic contracts, technical documentation, or correspondence are as well served as those producing Arabic content for export.
Which Arab markets do you cover?
All 26 Arabic-speaking countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, and others.
How long does Arabic translation take?
Standard projects of up to 2,000 words typically take two to three working days. Formatted documents requiring RTL DTP work take longer depending on complexity. Urgent turnaround is available on request.
Ready to start your Arabic translation project? Contact Global LTS with your documents, target market, and requirements for a free, no-obligation quote.
