What Is a UAE Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
A Police Clearance Certificate—officially designated as a Certificate of Good Conduct—is an official legal document issued by UAE law enforcement authorities attesting that the named individual possesses a clear criminal record and is not wanted for pending criminal offenses in the country.
PCCs are commonly required when starting a new corporate job in regulated sectors (finance, education, security), applying for permanent residency or citizenship in countries like Canada, Australia, or the UK, or bidding for commercial government tenders.
Which Authority Should You Apply To?
- Dubai Police (
dubaipolice.gov.ae): Primary portal for individuals who currently reside or previously resided in the Emirate of Dubai. Certificates can be generated entirely online within minutes for active Emirates ID holders. - Ministry of Interior (MOI UAE -
moi.gov.ae): The federal authority covering Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Step-by-Step Online Application (Dubai Police)
- Open the Dubai Police website or smart mobile application and log in using your verified UAE Pass.
- Select "Certificate of Good Conduct" from the individual services catalog.
- Confirm your personal details extracted automatically from your Emirates ID record.
- Select the destination language: English (for international embassies/employment) or Arabic (for UAE local departments).
- Specify the purpose of issuance (e.g., "Employment Abroad", "Immigration", "Trade Licensing").
- Pay the official government fee (AED 220 total for resident expats).
- The automated criminal background system processes your request immediately. In over 90% of clean cases, the digitally signed PDF certificate bearing an official security QR code is delivered to your email and SMS within 15 minutes to 24 hours.
Applying from Outside the UAE (Former Residents)
If you formerly lived in the UAE and now reside overseas, you can still obtain a UAE Good Conduct Certificate without returning to the country:
- Visit a local police station in your current country of residence to have your fingerprints captured on an official fingerprint card.
- Have the fingerprint card attested by the UAE Embassy in that country.
- Submit your application online through the Dubai Police or MOI portal selecting "Applicant Residing Outside the Country", attach your attested fingerprint card, old UAE visa copy, and passport, and pay the non-resident fee of AED 320.