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The UAE has introduced a new documentation requirement for selected nationalities applying for new entry permits and visa applications. A Police Clearance Certificate, also known as a Good Conduct Certificate, may now be required before submitting a new UAE entry permit application.
This update is important for job seekers, employees, family visa applicants, companies, PROs, and anyone preparing a new UAE visa application. Without the correct Police Clearance Certificate, the application may face delays, additional document requests, or rejection.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate is an official document that confirms whether a person has a criminal record. In the UAE, it is also commonly called a Good Conduct Certificate or Clear Criminal Record Certificate.
For immigration purposes, this certificate helps the authorities verify an applicant’s background before approving an entry permit or residence visa process.
Who May Need a Certificate for UAE Entry Permit Applications?
According to recent immigration updates, the new requirement applies to nationals of selected countries applying for new UAE entry permits or visa applications. The commonly reported list includes:
Applicants should always confirm the latest requirement with the relevant authority, sponsor, free zone, typing centre, Amer centre, ICP, or GDRFA before submitting their application.
Requirements for Applicants Outside the UAE
If the applicant is outside the UAE, the Police Clearance Certificate is generally expected to be issued from the applicant’s home country. It may also need to be attested before it can be used for the UAE visa process.
The reported requirement is:
- Obtain the Police Clearance Certificate from the home country.
- Get the certificate attested by the UAE Embassy in the issuing country.
- Complete UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, where required.
- Submit the attested document with the new UAE entry permit or visa application.
This step is important because certificates issued outside the UAE usually need proper legalisation before they are accepted by UAE authorities.
Requirements for Applicants Inside the UAE
For applicants who are already inside the UAE, the requirement may depend on their visa status. Immigration sources report that applicants inside the UAE on a cancelled residence visa may need a UAE-issued Police Clearance Certificate, while applicants inside the UAE on a tourist visa may still be asked for a home-country certificate with attestation.
Why This Update Matters
This new requirement can affect the timeline of UAE visa applications. A Police Clearance Certificate may take time to issue, especially if the applicant is outside the UAE and the document needs embassy attestation and MOFA attestation.
For employers and sponsors, this means the visa process should be planned earlier. For applicants, it is better to prepare the Police Clearance Certificate before starting the entry permit application, especially if their nationality is included in the affected list.
Delays can happen when:
- The certificate is not issued from the correct country.
- The document is not attested properly.
- The applicant submits an expired or outdated certificate.
- The certificate is not translated where required.
- The applicant’s visa status requires a different type of certificate.
How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate in the UAE
Applicants inside the UAE may apply through official UAE police or government channels. The UAE Ministry of Interior offers the criminal clearance certificate service through smart channels, and Dubai Police also provides a Police Clearance Certificate service for eligible applicants.
The general documents may include:
- Passport copy
- Emirates ID, if available
- Recent photograph
- Previous UAE visa details, if applicable
- Fingerprint card, if applying from outside the UAE or if requested
The exact requirements can vary based on nationality, current location, and whether the certificate is being issued by UAE authorities or by a foreign country.
Does the Certificate Need Attestation?
Yes, in many cases. If the certificate is issued outside the UAE, it may need UAE Embassy attestation in the issuing country and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation. Recent immigration updates specifically mention embassy and MOFA attestation for applicants outside the UAE.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also launched a digital attestation service for clear criminal record certificates issued by the Ministry of Interior, helping streamline the attestation process through digital channels.
What Applicants Should Do Before Applying
Before starting a new UAE entry permit application, applicants from the affected countries should check whether a Police Clearance Certificate is required for their case.
The safest steps are:
- Confirm the requirement with the relevant immigration authority, sponsor, employer, free zone, ICP, GDRFA, Amer centre, or typing centre.
- Check whether the certificate should be issued from the home country or inside the UAE.
- Complete attestation before submitting the visa application.
- Make sure the certificate is valid and recently issued.
- Keep scanned copies ready for online submission.
How Seal & Signature Can Help
Seal & Signature can assist applicants and companies with Police Clearance Certificate support, document attestation, UAE Embassy attestation guidance, MOFA attestation, and related documentation for UAE visa and entry permit applications.
If you are applying for a UAE entry permit and need help preparing your Police Clearance Certificate, contact Seal & Signature before starting the visa process.
Quick Answers
For selected nationalities, recent immigration updates state that a Police Clearance Certificate or Good Conduct Certificate is now required for new UAE entry permit or visa applications. Applicants should verify the latest rule with the relevant UAE authority before applying.
It is also called a Good Conduct Certificate, Clear Criminal Record Certificate, or Criminal Clearance Certificate.
Reported affected nationalities include Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Always verify the current list with the relevant UAE immigration authority before applying.
Yes. Applicants outside the UAE may need to get the certificate issued from their home country and attested by the UAE Embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it can be used for the visa process.
Yes. Eligible applicants can apply through official UAE channels such as the Ministry of Interior or Dubai Police, depending on their case and location.
