United Arab Emirates Police Clearance Certificate Requirement for Select Nationalities

Key Point 

• UAE authorities have begun requiring a Police Clearance Certificate for new entry permit applications for select nationalities, with specific documentation rules depending on whether the applicant is inside or outside the country. 

Police Clearance Certificate Requirements  

Florabel Bautista, Senior Immigration Manager, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and select emirate‑level authorities have begun requiring a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)—also referred to as a Good Conduct Certificate—for new entry permit applications submitted on behalf of nationals of the following countries:

• Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Uganda

What’s Changing 

Based on information shared by free zone authorities, the following PCC requirements apply depending on the applicant’s location and visa status: 

Applicants Outside the UAE 

• PCC issued from the applicant’s home country 
• Attested by the UAE Embassy 
• Attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Applicants Inside the UAE (Tourist Visa Holders) 

• Same requirements as above 
• PCC issued from the home country 
• Attested by the UAE Embassy 
• Attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Applicants Inside the UAE (Canceled Residence Visa Holders) 

• PCC must be issued within the UAE 

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