Police Clearance Certificate in the UAE: Requirements, Process & How to Apply
Need a Police Clearance Certificate in the UAE? Learn what a PCC is, when it may be required, how to apply, what documents may be needed, and what to know if you are applying from outside the UAE.
Police Clearance Certificate
What it is, who may need it, how applications from abroad work, and what to check before you submit.
Good Conduct Certificate
Police clearance / criminal record status for official use in the United Arab Emirates.
CLEAR
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document used to show a person’s criminal-record status in the UAE. It is also commonly referred to as a Good Conduct Certificate or criminal record certificate.
What is a UAE Police Clearance Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate provides information about whether the applicant has a criminal record or criminal precedents recorded by the relevant UAE authorities. UAE government guidance also uses the term Good Conduct Certificate for this type of document.
Dubai Police describes the certificate as evidence of good conduct in the UAE from a security and criminal perspective. The exact authority and application route can depend on where you previously lived in the UAE and how the certificate will be used.
Before paying for a service, confirm exactly which certificate, issuing authority and level of authentication are required by the employer, regulator, university, immigration authority or other organisation receiving the document.
When might you need a Police Clearance Certificate?
A PCC may be requested for several reasons, including:
The organisation requesting the certificate may also determine which authority should issue it, how recent it must be and whether additional attestation is required.
Where can you apply?
Police Clearance Certificates can be obtained through UAE police authorities and Ministry of Interior services. For Dubai-related applications, Dubai Police provides several service channels.
| Channel | Use |
|---|---|
| Dubai Police website / app | Digital Dubai Police Police Clearance Certificate application. |
| DubaiNow | Supported Dubai government digital services. |
| Smart Police Stations | Self-service and assisted Dubai Police channel. |
| Ministry of Interior | Federal Clear Criminal Record Certificate service. |
What documents are required?
The exact documents vary depending on the authority, applicant and whether the person is currently inside or outside the UAE.
Review the current official service requirements immediately before submitting. Additional information can be requested depending on identity records and residence history.
What if you no longer live in the UAE?
Former UAE residents can still need a Police Clearance Certificate after leaving the country. Applications from outside the UAE are possible, although extra documentation or fingerprint requirements can apply.
If the required biometric record is not available in the UAE system, the applicant may be asked to provide a fingerprint card authenticated through the appropriate UAE diplomatic channel.
How to apply for a UAE Police Clearance Certificate
Identify the correct authority
Determine whether your request belongs with Dubai Police, the Ministry of Interior or another relevant police authority.
Prepare your information and documents
Have your passport, identification and any residence or fingerprint documents ready before beginning the application.
Start the official application
Complete the requested personal and application information through the appropriate digital or service-centre channel.
Pay the applicable charges
Review the current service fees shown by the issuing authority and selected service channel.
Wait for processing
Respond promptly if the authority asks for clarification, additional documents or fingerprint information.
Fees and processing time
Dubai Police currently publishes different fees depending on applicant type.
| Applicant | Published Dubai Police fee |
|---|---|
| UAE citizen | AED 100 |
| UAE resident | AED 200 |
| Applicant outside the UAE | AED 300 or USD 88 |
| Knowledge & Innovation fees | AED 20 |
Dubai Police currently lists a service completion target of around 5 working days. Processing can take longer when extra verification is required.
How long is a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate valid?
Dubai Police currently states that its Police Clearance Certificate is valid for three months from the date of issuance.
The organisation receiving your certificate may still impose its own requirement regarding how recently the document must have been issued.
Do you need to attest the Police Clearance Certificate?
It depends on where and how the document will be used.
For some domestic applications, the electronically issued certificate may be sufficient. For international use, another authority may ask for authentication, attestation or legalisation.
First confirm the receiving authority’s requirements. Unnecessary attestation can add time and cost without helping your application.
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Is a Police Clearance Certificate the same as a Good Conduct Certificate?
In UAE government guidance, these terms are used for the same general type of document showing a person’s criminal-record status.
Can I apply online?
Yes. Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior provide digital services for Police Clearance / Clear Criminal Record Certificates.
Can I apply if I have already left the UAE?
Yes. Former residents can apply from abroad, although additional documentation or fingerprint requirements may apply.
How long does it take?
Dubai Police currently lists around five working days as the service completion target. Other circumstances may differ.
How long is the certificate valid?
Dubai Police currently states that its certificate is valid for three months from the date of issuance.
Your situation may need more than a general article.
Speak with Djamel DXB about your visa, document, business, property or relocation request and get a clearer path for your next steps.
