You have the offer letter, the start date is close, and HR has added one more line to the checklist: "please provide a police clearance certificate". It sounds formal, but for most people it is a 10-minute online application. This guide explains which certificate to get, what it costs in 2026 and how to avoid applying too early.
What the certificate is and who asks for it
A police clearance certificate (PCC), also called a good conduct certificate, confirms you have no criminal record in the UAE. Dubai Police describes its version as proof of good conduct in the UAE "from a security and a criminal perspective".
You are most likely to be asked for one when:
- A new employer runs background checks, common in banking, aviation, education and healthcare
- You apply for residency or a work visa in another country, such as Canada or Australia
- You apply for a professional licence or a place on a course abroad
Our guide to the UAE employment visa process covers the hiring steps that usually follow.
Dubai Police or MOI: which one do you need?
There are two main issuers, and they are not interchangeable in every case.
- Dubai Police Police Clearance Certificate: issued through the Dubai Police app, website, DubaiNow, Smart Police Stations and police stations. Valid for 3 months.
- Ministry of Interior (MOI) Criminal Clearance Certificate: the federal certificate, requested with UAE Pass through the MOI app or website. Valid for 30 days from issue.
The simple rule: get the one the requester names. If your Dubai employer or a foreign embassy asks specifically for a Dubai Police certificate, apply to Dubai Police. If you live or worked in another emirate, or the request says "UAE criminal record certificate" or "MOI", use the federal service. When in doubt, ask HR to confirm in writing before you pay, because fees are non-refundable on both services.
Some people search for an "ICP good conduct certificate". ICP handles residency and Emirates ID, not criminal record certificates, so the federal option you want is MOI.
How to apply with Dubai Police
If you live in the UAE (citizens and residents):
- Open the Dubai Police app or dubaipolice.gov.ae and pick the Police Clearance Certificate service.
- Choose your applicant category and enter your Emirates ID number and email.
- Select the purpose (for example, employment) and the language, Arabic or English.
- Confirm with the one-time password sent to you.
- Pay by Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay.
The certificate arrives by email and stays in your Dubai Police account. A valid or expired Emirates ID works; without one, you must give fingerprints at a service centre.
If you are outside the UAE: you must have entered the UAE before. Apply online and upload:
- A recent personal photo
- A passport copy
- A copy of your previous UAE residence visa
- Your Emirates ID, valid or expired, if you have one
If Dubai Police has no ten-print fingerprints on file for you, you need a fingerprint card taken by local police where you live, certified by the UAE embassy in that country, before you apply.
Fees and processing time in 2026
Dubai Police fees, as published on its service page:
| Applicant | Service fee | Knowledge and Innovation fee | Total online |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE citizen | AED 100 | AED 20 | AED 120 |
| UAE resident | AED 200 | AED 20 | AED 220 |
| Outside the UAE | AED 300 (USD 88) | AED 20 | AED 320 |
Applying in person at a service centre adds AED 100. So a resident who walks into a centre pays AED 320 instead of AED 220 online.
The official processing time is 5 working days. Some people get it the same day, but do not promise HR that.
The federal MOI certificate costs AED 50 for use inside the UAE and AED 100 for use abroad, with an extra AED 50 fingerprinting fee for visitors and GCC citizens. A certificate used abroad may also need attestation, so check what the receiving authority requires.
Timing it with your job move
Validity is the part that catches people out. A Dubai Police certificate lasts 3 months and an MOI certificate only 30 days. Apply once you have a signed offer and know the deadline, not at the start of your search.
If you are serving notice or leaving the country between jobs, apply while you still have UAE residency and an active Emirates ID. It costs AED 100 less and avoids the embassy fingerprint step. Our guides on the UAE notice period and the visa cancellation grace period cover the rest of that handover.
Still looking? Browse live UAE jobs.
Key takeaway
Get the certificate your employer or embassy names: Dubai Police (AED 220 online for residents, valid 3 months) or the federal MOI (from AED 50, valid 30 days). Apply online with your Emirates ID once your offer is signed, allow up to 5 working days, and apply before you leave the UAE if you can.
FAQ
How much does a Dubai Police clearance certificate cost?
For residents it is AED 200 plus a AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, so AED 220 online. Citizens pay AED 120 and applicants outside the UAE pay AED 320. Applying in person at a service centre adds AED 100.
How long does it take to get a police clearance certificate in Dubai?
Dubai Police lists 5 working days. Many applicants get it faster, but plan around the official timeline.
Can I get a Dubai police clearance certificate from outside the UAE?
Yes, if you have entered the UAE before. You apply online with a photo, passport copy and previous residence visa copy. If your fingerprints are not on file, you need a fingerprint card certified by the UAE embassy in your country.
How long is a UAE police clearance certificate valid?
A Dubai Police certificate is valid for 3 months from issue. The federal MOI criminal clearance certificate is valid for 30 days.
Can I apply with an expired Emirates ID?
Yes. Dubai Police accepts a valid or expired Emirates ID number. Without any Emirates ID, you need to visit a service centre for fingerprinting.
