By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
A police clearance certificate in Dubai, also called a good conduct certificate, confirms you have no criminal record with Dubai Police. Residents can apply online through the Dubai Police app or website using their Emirates ID, while former residents abroad apply with a passport copy, old visa, and certified fingerprints. Fees are AED 100 to 300 plus small charges, and certificates are usually valid for three months.
Dubai Police Clearance Certificate at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Dubai Police (for Dubai records) or the Ministry of Interior (UAE-wide) |
| Other names | Good conduct certificate, police character certificate, PCC |
| How to apply | Dubai Police app, website, or service centres |
| Fee, UAE citizens | AED 100 |
| Fee, UAE residents | AED 200 |
| Fee, applicants abroad | AED 300 |
| Extra charges | AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fees, AED 100 for in-person service |
| Processing time | Same day to about 5 working days |
| Validity | Usually 3 months |
Fees are based on Gulf News reporting of the Dubai Police service, updated October 2026.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate in Dubai?
A police clearance certificate (PCC) is an official document that states whether you have a criminal record in Dubai. Dubai Police issue it in your chosen language, and you receive a digital copy by email that you can download from your account.
The certificate usually shows your name, nationality, Emirates ID or passport number, the purpose of the request, and a statement on your record, along with a code that the receiving authority can use to verify it.
People search for it under many names, including PCC Dubai, Dubai police character certificate, and police clearance report. They all mean the same document.
Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate in UAE?
You may need a PCC if you are:
- Applying for permanent residency or a visa in another country, such as Canada, the UK, or Australia
- Starting a new job that requires background checks, especially in banking, education, healthcare, aviation, or security
- Applying for certain licences or professional registrations
- Adopting a child, studying abroad, or handling some legal matters
- Moving to a new country after leaving the UAE
Most immigration authorities ask for a certificate from every country you have lived in for six months or more, so former Dubai residents often apply from abroad.
Dubai Police vs MOI Police Clearance Certificate
| Point | Dubai Police certificate | MOI certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Records held by Dubai Police | Records across the UAE |
| Best for | People who lived or worked mainly in Dubai | People who lived in several emirates |
| Apply through | Dubai Police app or website | Ministry of Interior app or website |
| Typical use | Jobs, visas, immigration | Immigration and embassies that want a federal record |
Check which one your employer, embassy, or immigration authority wants before you apply. Some ask specifically for a federal MOI certificate.
Documents Required for a Police Clearance Certificate
UAE residents and citizens:
- Emirates ID (valid or recently expired)
- Passport copy
- Recent passport photo with a white background
- Purpose of the certificate, such as immigration or employment
Applicants outside the UAE:
- Passport copy
- Copy of your previous UAE residence visa
- Recent passport photo
- Fingerprint card certified by a UAE embassy, if Dubai Police do not hold your fingerprints
If you need help with your Emirates ID before applying, sort that out first, as it speeds up online applications.
How to Get Police Clearance Certificate in Dubai Online: Step-by-Step
- Open the Dubai Police app or website and log in with UAE Pass or create an account.
- Choose Certificates, then Police Clearance Certificate.
- Select your applicant type: citizen, resident, or applicant outside the UAE.
- Enter your Emirates ID or passport details and the purpose of the certificate.
- Choose the certificate language and the authority it is addressed to.
- Upload documents such as your photo and passport copy.
- Pay the fee online by card.
- Track your request under My Requests or Application Status, and download the certificate when it is ready.
If you do not have an Emirates ID and are in the UAE, visit a Dubai Police service centre for fingerprinting. Gulf News lists centres including Al Qusais, Ports, Al Rashidiya, and Jebel Ali police stations.
How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate From Outside the UAE
Former residents can apply online without returning to Dubai. Here is how it usually works:
- Take your fingerprints at a police station in your current country, if Dubai Police do not hold them
- Have the fingerprint card certified by the UAE embassy in that country
- Apply on the Dubai Police website as an applicant outside the UAE
- Upload your passport, previous UAE visa, photo, and fingerprint card
- Pay AED 300 plus fees and download the certificate once issued
This is the most common route for people applying for immigration to Canada, Australia, or the UK after living in Dubai.
Dubai Police Clearance Certificate Fees
| Applicant | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| UAE citizens | 100 |
| UAE residents | 200 |
| Applicants outside the UAE | 300 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fees | 20 |
| In-person service centre fee | 100 |
Fees are non-refundable. The MOI certificate is typically cheaper, at around AED 50 for use inside the UAE and about AED 100 for use abroad, according to Avyanco. Attestation and courier costs are extra.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dubai Police Clearance Certificate?
- Residents applying online: often the same day, up to about 5 working days
- Applicants abroad: usually longer, depending on fingerprint checks
- MOI certificate: often issued quickly through smart services
How long is a police clearance certificate valid?
Usually three months from the issue date. Some embassies and employers ask for a certificate issued within the last 30 or 60 days, so apply close to your submission date.
How to Download Your Dubai Police Clearance Certificate
Once approved, you get a digital copy by email. You can also download it from My Requests in your Dubai Police account, or from Application Status using your reference number. Most authorities accept the digital version, which carries a verification code.
Attesting Your PCC for Use Abroad
If you need the certificate outside the UAE, it usually needs attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and sometimes legalisation by the destination country’s embassy. Our guide to document attestation in the UAE explains each step.
PCC for Canada, UK and Australia Immigration
Immigration authorities in Canada, the UK, and Australia usually ask for police certificates from every country where you lived for six months or more since age 18. For the UAE, check whether they want the Dubai Police certificate, the MOI federal certificate, or both. Keep these points in mind:
- Upload the certificate before it reaches three months old
- Use the English version, or add a certified translation
- Keep the verification code or QR code visible on the copy you upload
- Apply for every emirate you lived in if the authority asks for local certificates
Police Clearance Certificate in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Other Emirates
Dubai Police only cover Dubai records. If you lived in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate, apply to that emirate’s police or get a federal MOI certificate that covers the whole UAE.
Why a PCC Might Be Delayed or Refused
- Unpaid fines or an open police case
- A travel ban or absconding report
- Fingerprints that do not match records
- Name differences between passport and Emirates ID
- Missing embassy certification on the fingerprint card
Clear any outstanding fines first. You can check them with our guide to the GDRFA fine check in Dubai.
Police Clearance Certificates for Employers and Business Owners
Some licensed activities and roles need staff with a clean record. For example, if you plan to start a security company in Dubai, guards and managers usually need good conduct clearance. Golden visa applicants and investors may also be asked for one, and professionals in regulated fields often need a PCC alongside degree equivalency. Our PRO services team can collect PCCs for new hires alongside work permits and employment visas. Employers forming a new company can plan this as part of mainland company formation.
If you are moving to the Kingdom, many Saudi work visas also ask for a police clearance from your previous country. Read about the business visa in Saudi Arabia and our business setup in Saudi Arabia services.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for a Dubai certificate when the embassy wants an MOI federal one
- Applying too early, so the certificate expires before submission
- Skipping embassy certification of fingerprints when applying from abroad
- Forgetting MOFA attestation for use overseas
- Leaving fines unpaid before applying
Expert tip from Adil Ahmad: Before you cancel your UAE residence visa and leave for good, get a PCC while your Emirates ID is still active. It is faster and cheaper than applying from abroad with fingerprint cards, and you will have it ready for future immigration or job applications.
FAQs on Police Clearance Certificate in Dubai
How do I get a police clearance certificate in Dubai?
Apply on the Dubai Police app or website with your Emirates ID, or as an applicant abroad with your passport, old visa, and fingerprints.
How much is the Dubai police clearance certificate fee?
AED 100 for citizens, AED 200 for residents, and AED 300 for applicants abroad, plus AED 20 in fees.
How long does it take to get a police clearance certificate in Dubai?
Often the same day for residents, and up to about 5 working days.
How long is a Dubai PCC valid?
Usually three months from the issue date.
Can I apply for a Dubai police clearance certificate online?
Yes. Residents and former residents can apply online through the Dubai Police website or app.
Can I get a PCC from Dubai after leaving the UAE?
Yes. Apply online as an applicant outside the UAE, with embassy-certified fingerprints if needed.
What is the difference between Dubai Police and MOI certificates?
Dubai Police cover Dubai records only, while the MOI certificate covers the whole UAE.
Is a good conduct certificate the same as a police clearance certificate?
Yes. Both names refer to the same document.
Need Help With Your PCC or Visa?
Our team helps residents, employers, and investors with police clearances, attestation, UAE residence visas, and company formation. We also support business setup in Dubai for every sector. Speak with our business setup consultants today.
