Good Conduct Certificate in United Arab Emirates
A UAE Good Conduct Certificate takes a few days online - if you've never been fingerprinted here, you'll need one short visit to a police station.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
The Good Conduct Certificate (often called PCC) is issued by the police of the relevant emirate and confirms you have no criminal record in the UAE. It's required for some skilled visa applications (originally introduced in 2018 for new work permits, since relaxed), for many overseas immigration applications (Canada, UK, Australia), and for select sectors like education and healthcare.
Applications run through the emirate's police app - Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, Sharjah Police, etc. - or via the MOI app. Most certificates are issued in 2-5 working days. The certificate covers only the time you've spent as a UAE resident.
Documents required
- Emirates ID (current or expired)
- Passport copy
- Purpose-of-issuance details (e.g. immigration to Canada, job in qualifying sector)
- Fingerprints on file - or willingness to attend a police station
Eligibility
- Current or former UAE resident with an Emirates ID
- No active criminal case
- Fingerprints captured at least once in the UAE (one-time visit if not)
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Good Conduct Certificate (resident) | 100 AED | Online via police app. |
| Good Conduct Certificate (former resident) | 200 AED | Some emirates charge more if you've left the UAE. |
| Attestation by MOFA | 150 AED | Required if the certificate will be used abroad. |
| Express service | 150 AED | Same-day issuance at selected police centres. Confirm current amount on the relevant police app. |
Step by step
- 1
Apply via police app
Open the Dubai Police, ADP, or relevant emirate's police app. Find 'Good Conduct Certificate' or 'Criminal Status Certificate'.
10 minutes · online
- 2
Choose purpose and language
Select intended use (overseas immigration, job, study) and language (Arabic/English/both). Pay the fee online.
online
- 3
Fingerprints (if needed)
If your fingerprints aren't on file, attend the nearest police station for a 10-minute capture. Existing residents typically already have them from the Emirates ID process.
30 minutes · center
- 4
Receive digital certificate
Certificate is emailed and stored in the app. MOFA-attest it before sending abroad.
2-5 working days · online
Processing time: 2-5 working days standard; same day with express service.
Where to do it online
- ICP
Not directly - the relevant emirate's police app is the channel
Most Amer and Tasheel centres can submit PCC applications and MOFA attestation in a single trip, useful if you're packaging the certificate with attested documents for an overseas application.
Renewal
PCCs don't renew - each is a snapshot of your record at the time of issue. Most receiving countries accept certificates issued within the last 6 months.
Fines & penalties
- Applying with false purpose details: application rejected, fee not refunded
- Active criminal case: certificate cannot be issued until the case is closed
Common pitfalls
- Forgetting MOFA attestation for overseas use
- Wrong language - Canada and most English-speaking countries need the English version
- Stale certificate - most countries want one issued within 6 months
- Applying as a former resident from outside the UAE without checking which emirate has your file
FAQs
AED 100 for current residents through the police app; AED 200 for former residents in many emirates. Add AED 150 for MOFA attestation if you're using it abroad.
2-5 working days standard; same-day with express service at selected police centres (extra AED 150).
Yes, from many emirates via the police app or via UAE Embassy abroad. You'll typically need biometric fingerprints from a local police station accepted by the UAE.
Same thing - the UAE official name is 'Good Conduct and Behaviour Certificate', commonly called Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) abroad.
It was mandatory for new work permits in 2018 but the requirement was rolled back. Today PCCs are required only for select sectors (education, security, healthcare in some emirates) and overseas applications.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
Get help with Good Conduct Certificate