A certificate of no criminal record in the UAE — officially called the Good Conduct Certificate, or Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — is a document from the Dubai police confirming the absence of any criminal record during your residence in the emirate. It’s requested by employers abroad, immigration services, consulates and regulators. The good news: for residents with an Emirates ID the process is almost entirely online and takes just a few days. In this guide we’ll go over what this certificate is, how to order it through the Dubai police app, whether fingerprints are needed, what to do if you’ve already left the UAE, and how to legalise the document for use abroad.
What it is and what it’s for
Good Conduct Certificate and Police Clearance Certificate are two names for one and the same document. The certificate is most often requested for:
- employment — both in the UAE and abroad;
- a work or immigration visa to another country (Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.);
- residence permits and long-term visas;
- professional licences and work in regulated fields;
- getting married and certain other civil procedures.
It’s handled by the Dubai police. For more on the department and contacts, see the Dubai police page, and for a general overview of police structures, the police section.
How to order online via the Dubai Police app
The most convenient way for residents is the Dubai Police mobile app or the dubaipolice.gov.ae website. The steps:
- Log in with UAE Pass (or a registered account). If you’re not a UAE resident, you can continue as a Guest.
- Open the certificates section and select the Police Clearance / Good Conduct Certificate service.
- Fill in your details: status (citizen, resident, guest, applicant from abroad), Emirates ID (for residents), email.
- Specify the purpose of obtaining it (work, immigration, marriage, etc.), the requesting sector (government or private) and the language of the certificate — Arabic or English.
- Upload scans of your passport, photo and Emirates ID according to the file format and size requirements.
- Pay the fee by card. You’ll receive the finished certificate electronically.
Are fingerprints required
This depends on whether you have an Emirates ID:
| Situation | Fingerprints | Application method |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Emirates ID | Usually not needed (already in the system) | Fully online |
| No Emirates ID (tourist, guest) | Must be submitted in person | Visit to a police service centre |
| Former resident abroad | Fingerprint card required | Online (Guest) + attested card |
If you don’t have an Emirates ID, fingerprints are submitted in person at a service centre during working hours. Among the locations that take fingerprints, the police stations at Al Qusais, Al Rashidiya, Jebel Ali and the Ports Police Station are mentioned — check the current list in the app.
If you’ve already left the UAE
The certificate is available to former residents too — you need to apply online in Guest mode. You’ll need:
- a copy of your passport, including the pages with previous UAE visas;
- a recent passport-style photo;
- a fingerprint card.
The fingerprint card is taken at the local police of your current country of residence, after which it is attested at the UAE embassy or consulate in that country. The card is then uploaded together with the application.
Photo and fingerprints: what to watch for
The photo must meet the platform’s format and size requirements (usually passport-type, on a light background). The fingerprint card for applicants from abroad must be issued by an official body and attested — self-taken prints are not accepted. Failing to meet the requirements is a common reason for rejection or for the application being returned for correction.
Validity period
The certificate is usually valid for about 3 months from the date of issue. Some employers and agencies accept it within 3–6 months — go by the requirements of the specific authority and don’t submit the document too far in advance.
Legalisation for use abroad
For use within the UAE, no additional legalisation is needed. For use abroad, the certificate usually needs to be:
- attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) — see document legalisation;
- then legalised at the destination country’s consulate.
For Russia and the CIS, consular legalisation is usually used. If necessary, a certified translation of the certificate into the destination country’s language is made. Check the exact chain with the receiving authority — the procedure depends on the country.
Language of the certificate
When applying you choose Arabic or English. Foreign authorities more often request the English version; for Russia and the CIS a notarised translation into Russian may additionally be needed.
Conclusion
Getting a good conduct certificate in Dubai is easier than it seems: for a resident with an Emirates ID, a few minutes in the Dubai Police app and paying the fee are enough — fingerprints are usually already in the system. Those without an Emirates ID will have to submit fingerprints in person or attach an attested fingerprint card. The main thing is to check the receiving party’s requirements in advance (language, validity period, the need for legalisation) and to verify the current fees and timelines on dubaipolice.gov.ae, as they change from time to time.
