A police clearance certificate UAE residents and former residents request is an official document that confirms whether a person has a criminal record in the country. Employers, universities, licensing bodies and foreign embassies ask for it, and in the UAE it is also called a Good Conduct Certificate. This guide explains who issues it, what it costs in 2026, how to apply from inside or outside the country, and the mistakes that delay most applications.
All fees, rules and channels below are taken from the Dubai Police service card, the Ministry of Interior service page and the UAE government portal, checked on 28 October 2026.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate in the UAE?
A police clearance certificate in the UAE is a document from the police that proves the holder has no criminal record within the United Arab Emirates. The UAE government portal describes it as a Good Conduct Certificate that shows the criminal record, or the lack of one, of a person in the state where they live.
The certificate is used for work, study, immigration, licences and other official purposes. A foreign immigration office may call the same paper a police certificate, a criminal record certificate or a PCC, but in the UAE it is one document.
Canadian immigration rules confirm that only one police clearance from any emirate is needed. A person who lived in Sharjah and then moved to Dubai does not need two certificates for that purpose.
Who Issues the Police Clearance Certificate in Each Emirate?
Two authorities issue the police clearance certificate in the UAE: Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Anyone with a UAE Emirates ID or a valid UAE visa can apply to either one, whichever emirate they live in, so a resident of Dubai or Sharjah can use the MOI as well. The table shows which channel fits which applicant.
Applicant
Issuer
Main channel
Resident or citizen in any emirate
MOI or Dubai Police
MOI website and app, or Dubai Police app
Holder of a valid UAE visa
MOI or Dubai Police
Online with UAE PASS (MOI) or Emirates ID (Dubai Police)
Former resident now abroad
MOI or Dubai Police
Online, with fingerprints
Visitor without Emirates ID
Dubai Police or MOI
Fingerprints at a police station
The Ministry of Interior service is available online through the MOI website and the MOI UAE app, and in person at MOI service centres where payment is made by electronic card. The MOI is also the cheaper option, as the fee comparison below shows.
Police Clearance Certificate Fees in 2026
The Dubai Police clearance certificate costs AED 100 for citizens, AED 200 for residents and AED 300 (about $88) for applicants outside the UAE. A Knowledge and Innovation fee of AED 20 is added, and applying in person at a service centre costs an extra AED 100.
The Dubai Police service card lists the fee for each applicant type and the extra charge for applying in person. Source: dubaipolice.gov.ae
The real cost depends on where and how the application is made. These worked totals use the official fee lines:
Applicant and channel
Fee lines
Total
Resident, online
AED 200 + AED 20
AED 220
Resident, at a service centre
AED 200 + AED 20 + AED 100
AED 320
Citizen, online
AED 100 + AED 20
AED 120
Applicant outside the UAE
AED 300 + AED 20
AED 320
Dubai Police fees are not refundable. If an application is rejected because of a wrong Emirates ID number or a wrong requesting entity, the applicant pays again for the new request.
Ministry of Interior Police Clearance Certificate Fees
The Ministry of Interior charges AED 50 for a police clearance certificate used inside the UAE and AED 100 for one used outside the country. Visitors and GCC citizens pay an extra AED 50 for fingerprinting, and attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs costs AED 300 when it is needed.
The MOI fee list shows AED 50 for use in the UAE, AED 100 for use abroad, AED 50 for fingerprinting and AED 300 for attestation. Source: moi.gov.ae
A resident who needs the certificate inside the UAE pays far less through the MOI than through Dubai Police:
Channel and use
Total fee
MOI, certificate for use in the UAE
AED 50
MOI, certificate for use abroad
AED 100
Dubai Police online, citizen
AED 120
Dubai Police online, resident
AED 220
Confirm the final amount on screen before paying, because fees can change by Ministerial decision.
How to Apply for a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate Online
Dubai residents apply for the police clearance certificate online through the Dubai Police app or website, using a valid or expired Emirates ID. The process has four stages: application details, review, payment and confirmation.
The Dubai Police clearance certificate form shows its four stages at the top: application details, review, payment and confirmation. Source: dubaipolice.gov.ae
Select the user type: Citizen or Resident inside UAE, Outside UAE, or Visitor inside UAE.
Enter the Emirates ID number and an email address that you check often.
Choose the purpose of the certificate and the requesting entity, such as a company, a government body or an embassy.
Select the certificate language, then accept the terms and conditions.
Review the details, pay by debit card, credit card or Apple Pay, and save the reference number.
The first step of the Dubai Police form asks you to pick one of three user types. Visitors without an Emirates ID must give fingerprints in person. Source: dubaipolice.gov.ae
The same service is also offered through DubaiNow, the Dubai Police call centre on 901, Smart Police Stations and regular police stations. Digital channels and Smart Police Stations work 24 hours a day, while police stations serve customers from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.
How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate Through the MOI UAE App
Any resident or visa holder in the UAE, in any emirate, can get a police clearance certificate through the MOI UAE app or the MOI website, and the MOI is cheaper than Dubai Police. The service is listed on the official MOI criminal clearance certificate page, where sign in is done with UAE PASS.
The MOI page describes the service in four steps: submit the application, pay the fees, complete fingerprinting if it is required, and receive the certificate. The screen below shows these steps as the MOI lists them.
The MOI service page lists the steps for the criminal clearance certificate, from the application to receiving the certificate. Source: moi.gov.ae
Open the MOI criminal clearance certificate service on the MOI website or in the MOI UAE app.
Sign in with UAE PASS.
Choose whether the certificate is for use inside or outside the UAE, and select the language, Arabic or English.
Fill in the application and attach any document the form asks for.
Pay the fee online (AED 50 inside the UAE, AED 100 outside) and keep the transaction number.
Give fingerprints at the place the service names if the system asks for them.
Download the certificate from the app or the website once it is issued.
The MOI service page states an estimated delivery time of 3 minutes. The certificate is issued in Arabic and English and is valid for 30 days from the issue date, which is shorter than the Dubai Police period.
The screens after sign in, such as the application form and the payment page, need a personal UAE PASS account. For privacy they are not shown here, but they follow the steps in the list above. Applicants who prefer paper can visit an MOI service centre and pay by electronic card.
How to Get a UAE Police Clearance Certificate From Outside the UAE
Former residents can get a UAE police clearance certificate from abroad without travelling back, but they must have entered the UAE before and may need an attested fingerprint card. Dubai Police charges AED 300 plus the AED 20 fee for this route.
The route depends on whether your fingerprints are already in the UAE system. Most former residents who held an Emirates ID can apply online with the old Emirates ID number, valid or expired.
Applicants abroad who do not have a ten print fingerprint record must follow these steps, based on the Dubai Police terms and the UAE government portal:
Get a fingerprint card from the police authority in the country where you live now.
Have the fingerprint card attested by the UAE Embassy in that country.
Apply online to Dubai Police or the MOI and upload the attested card.
Attach a personal photo, a passport copy and a copy of your previous UAE residence visa.
Pay online and track the request with the reference number.
Canadian immigration guidance also lists applying in person at the nearest UAE Embassy, or through a friend or relative in the UAE who holds a power of attorney. These options help when an online application cannot be completed.
Documents Required for a Police Clearance Certificate
Residents inside the UAE only need an Emirates ID number and an email address to apply for a police clearance certificate. The documents list grows for people outside the country or without an Emirates ID.
Applicant
Documents
Resident or citizen in the UAE
Emirates ID number (valid or expired), email address
Applicant outside the UAE
Personal photo, passport copy, copy of previous residence visa
Abroad with no fingerprint record
All of the above plus a fingerprint card attested by the UAE Embassy
Visitor in the UAE without Emirates ID
Passport, plus fingerprints taken at a listed police station
Visitors without an Emirates ID must visit a service centre during official working hours to give fingerprints. Dubai Police lists Al Qusais Police Station, Ports Police Station, Al Rashidiya Police Station and Jebel Ali Police Station for this.
How Long Does a Police Clearance Certificate Take?
Dubai Police states a processing time of up to 5 working days for the police clearance certificate, and many simple online requests from residents are issued sooner. Applications from abroad, or those that need fingerprint checks, usually take the full period.
The certificate is sent as a digital document to the email address in the application and can be downloaded from the account. Keep the reference number, because the call centre and the website both ask for it when you check the status.
How Long Is a UAE Police Clearance Certificate Valid?
A UAE police clearance certificate from Dubai Police is valid for 3 months from the date it is issued, while the MOI states a validity of 30 days. After that date the same certificate cannot be submitted, and a new request is needed.
The validity window matters most for immigration files. Many embassies take weeks to process a visa, so apply for the certificate close to the submission date, not months before. Some employers and foreign authorities also ask for a certificate issued within a shorter period, so check their rule first.
Who Cannot Get a Police Clearance Certificate?
A person who is wanted by any authority, or who has a criminal record that blocks the certificate, cannot get a clean police clearance certificate. Dubai Police lists this condition in its terms, along with the rule that applicants abroad must have entered the UAE before.
Open police cases, court judgments and absconding reports may stop the application. If you are unsure, check these first:
Traffic fines do not appear on a police clearance certificate. Dubai Police issues a separate Traffic Clearance Certificate for traffic records, and fines can be checked through a Dubai RTA fine check.
Police Clearance Certificate for Immigration, Jobs and Visas
The police clearance certificate is most often requested by foreign immigration offices, UAE employers in sensitive sectors and licensing authorities. Each one may set its own rules on language, date of issue and attestation.
Immigration abroad: countries such as Canada ask for a UAE police certificate with permanent residence applications.
Jobs: banks, schools, healthcare and security companies often ask new staff for a recent certificate.
Study and licensing: universities and professional bodies may request it with degree documents, which often also need an equivalency certificate in the UAE.
Visa files: some new UAE entry permit applications now require a certificate from the home country (see Latest Updates).
Choose the correct requesting entity and language in the form. A certificate addressed to a private company may be refused by an embassy that expected its own name or an English version.
Common Mistakes That Delay a Police Clearance Certificate
Most delays in police clearance certificate requests come from small form errors that cannot be edited after payment. Avoid these:
Entering an Emirates ID number that does not match the passport used on the visa file.
Choosing Citizen or Resident inside UAE after leaving the country, instead of Outside UAE.
Selecting the wrong certificate language for the receiving country.
Applying too early, so the certificate expires before the embassy reviews the file.
Sending a fingerprint card that is not attested by the UAE Embassy.
Using an old email address, so the digital certificate never arrives.
Police Clearance Certificate UAE: Latest Updates
These are the most recent changes to the police clearance certificate process, checked on 28 October 2026:
The MOI lists the criminal clearance certificate under Ministerial Decision No. 600 of 2024, with AED 50 for use inside the UAE, AED 100 for use abroad and a 30 day validity.
The Dubai Police online service now runs in four steps (application details, review, payment, confirmation) with payment by card or Apple Pay.
The Dubai Police service card lists the AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee as a separate line, and a AED 100 charge for applications made in person.
During 2026, free zone authorities and the ICP have reported that new entry permits for some nationalities require a home country police certificate attested by the UAE Embassy. The list of nationalities has not been published as one official notice, so confirm with your sponsor or the ICP before applying.
Conclusion
Getting a police clearance certificate in the UAE is quick when the details are right. The MOI is the cheaper route at AED 50 for use inside the UAE, Dubai Police costs AED 220 online, and anyone with an Emirates ID or valid visa can use either one. Former residents can apply from abroad with an attested fingerprint card. Apply close to your deadline, because the certificate lasts 30 days with the MOI and 3 months with Dubai Police. For more guides on UAE rules and documents, visit our UAE Laws section.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a police clearance certificate in the UAE?
A Dubai Police clearance certificate costs AED 200 for residents, AED 100 for citizens and AED 300 for applicants outside the UAE, plus an AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee. Applying in person at a service centre adds AED 100. The MOI charges AED 50 for use inside the UAE and AED 100 for use abroad.
How can I get a police clearance certificate in the UAE online?
You can get a police clearance certificate online through the Dubai Police app or website, or through the MOI UAE app and website with UAE PASS. Fill in the purpose and language, then pay by card. The certificate is issued digitally.
Can I apply for a UAE police clearance certificate from outside the UAE?
Yes, former residents can apply for a UAE police clearance certificate from outside the UAE online. You need a photo, passport copy and previous visa copy. If you have no fingerprint record, you also need a fingerprint card attested by the UAE Embassy.
How long is a police clearance certificate valid in the UAE?
A Dubai Police clearance certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue, and an MOI certificate is valid for 30 days. After that you must apply for a new one. Some employers and embassies ask for an even more recent certificate.
Which is cheaper, MOI or Dubai Police for a police clearance certificate?
The MOI is cheaper. It charges AED 50 for a certificate used inside the UAE, while a resident pays AED 220 online through Dubai Police. Both certificates are official, so check which one the receiving authority accepts.
Can I get an MOI police clearance certificate if I live in Dubai?
Yes, anyone with a UAE Emirates ID or a valid UAE visa can apply to the MOI, including people who live in Dubai or Sharjah. The application is made on the MOI website or app with UAE PASS.
How many days does a Dubai police clearance certificate take?
Dubai Police states up to 5 working days for a police clearance certificate. Simple online requests from residents are often faster, while requests from abroad usually take the full time.
Is a good conduct certificate the same as a police clearance certificate?
Yes, in the UAE a good conduct certificate and a police clearance certificate are the same document. Foreign authorities may also call it a criminal record certificate or a PCC.
Can a visitor get a police clearance certificate in Dubai?
Yes, a visitor without an Emirates ID can get a police clearance certificate in Dubai. The visitor must give fingerprints in person at Al Qusais, Ports, Al Rashidiya or Jebel Ali Police Station during working hours.
Anees is a UAE-based content creator, writer, and SEO professional with over 12 years of experience. Since 2014, he has published research-backed guides on UAE visas, labour laws, jobs, traffic fines, and government services, all verified against official sources. He is certified in SEO by HubSpot Academy and Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage.
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Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only, based on publicly available UAE laws and regulations. It does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with official UAE government sources or a qualified legal professional.
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