● UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security

New Good Conduct Certificate
Requirement — UAE Visas 2026

Effective 16 June 2026 — a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is now mandatory for visa applicants from 45 specified nationalities, phased across three implementation dates.

📋 Source: ICP Official Circular 🏛️ u.ae (Official Portal) 🔗 alwahaagroup.com 🔗 greenlineattestations.com 🔗 shuraa.in 🔗 gflolaw.com 🔗 onlinetranslation.ae
45
Nationalities Affected
3
Implementation Phases
23
Phase 1 Countries
from 16 Jun 2026
11
Phase 2 Countries
from 15 Aug 2026
11
Phase 3 Countries
from 15 Nov 2026
● Implementation Timeline

3-Phase Rollout

Phase 1 — Active Now
16 June 2026
23 nationalities · Already in effect

Includes India, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Mexico, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Cuba, Ghana, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Somalia, Gambia, Lithuania, Tonga, Senegal, Syria, Morocco, Cameroon.

Phase 2 — Upcoming
15 August 2026
11 nationalities · ~6 weeks away

Bangladesh, Colombia, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cyprus, Albania, Mauritius, Fiji, Philippines.

Phase 3 — Q4 2026
15 November 2026
11 nationalities · Final wave

Mauritania, Rwanda, South Africa, Iran, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, Nicaragua, Slovenia, Seychelles, China.

● Full List with UAE Embassy Attestation Country

All 45 Countries — with Flags

⚠️ Where the attestation country differs from the nationality, it is shown in orange — always verify with the UAE Embassy.

🇨🇲
Cameroon
Attest @ Nigeria (Abuja)
Phase 1
🇩🇿
Algeria
Attest @ Algeria
Phase 1
🇪🇬
Egypt
Attest @ Egypt
Phase 1
🇪🇹
Ethiopia
Attest @ Ethiopia
Phase 1
🇨🇺
Cuba
Attest @ Cuba
Phase 1
🇧🇹
Bhutan
Attest @ India
Phase 1
🇧🇬
Bulgaria
Attest @ Bulgaria
Phase 1
🇲🇽
Mexico
Attest @ Mexico
Phase 1
🇦🇫
Afghanistan
Attest @ Afghanistan
Phase 1
🇳🇵
Nepal
Attest @ Nepal
Phase 1
🇮🇶
Iraq
Attest @ Iraq
Phase 1
🇵🇰
Pakistan
Attest @ Pakistan
Phase 1
🇮🇳
India
Attest @ India
Phase 1
🇲🇿
Mozambique
Attest @ Mozambique
Phase 1
🇬🇭
Ghana
Attest @ Ghana
Phase 1
🇱🇧
Lebanon
Attest @ Lebanon
Phase 1
🇸🇴
Somalia
Attest @ India
Phase 1
🇬🇲
Gambia
Attest @ Senegal
Phase 1
🇱🇹
Lithuania
Attest @ Latvia
Phase 1
🇹🇴
Tonga
Attest @ New Zealand
Phase 1
🇸🇳
Senegal
Attest @ Senegal
Phase 1
🇸🇾
Syria
Attest @ Syria
Phase 1
🇲🇦
Morocco
Attest @ Morocco
Phase 1
🇧🇩
Bangladesh
Attest @ Bangladesh
Phase 2
🇨🇴
Colombia
Attest @ Colombia
Phase 2
🇸🇩
Sudan
Attest @ Sudan
Phase 2
🇹🇳
Tunisia
Attest @ Tunisia
Phase 2
🇿🇼
Zimbabwe
Attest @ Zimbabwe
Phase 2
🇳🇬
Nigeria
Attest @ Nigeria
Phase 2
🇨🇾
Cyprus
Attest @ Cyprus
Phase 2
🇦🇱
Albania
Attest @ Greece
Phase 2
🇲🇺
Mauritius
Attest @ Mozambique
Phase 2
🇫🇯
Fiji
Attest @ New Zealand
Phase 2
🇵🇭
Philippines
Attest @ Philippines
Phase 2
🇲🇷
Mauritania
Attest @ Mauritania
Phase 3
🇷🇼
Rwanda
Attest @ Rwanda
Phase 3
🇿🇦
South Africa
Attest @ South Africa
Phase 3
🇮🇷
Iran
Attest @ Iran
Phase 3
🇷🇸
Serbia
Attest @ Serbia
Phase 3
🇧🇾
Belarus
Attest @ Serbia
Phase 3
🇬🇪
Georgia
Attest @ Georgia
Phase 3
🇳🇮
Nicaragua
Attest @ Colombia
Phase 3
🇸🇮
Slovenia
Attest @ Austria
Phase 3
🇸🇨
Seychelles
Attest @ Mozambique
Phase 3
🇨🇳
China
Attest @ China
Phase 3
● Step-by-Step Guide

How to Obtain & Attest Your PCC

01
Obtain PCC from Home Country
Apply at the Police / Home Affairs authority in your nationality country. Allow 2–4 weeks in most cases.
02
Translate (if not Arabic/English)
Have the certificate translated by a certified translator. This step MUST happen before attestation.
03
UAE Embassy Attestation
Get the translated PCC attested by the designated UAE Embassy / Consulate in your attestation country (may differ from your nationality).
04
MOFA Attestation (UAE)
Upon arrival in the UAE, attest the document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) if required by the authority.
05
Submit with Visa Application
Include the attested PCC in your UAE entry permit or visa application file. ICP will reject incomplete files.
⚠️ Critical Procedural Warning: Do NOT attest the original PCC first and translate it after. Attestation stamps authenticate the document as it exists at the time of stamping — a post-attestation translation will be rejected by ICP. The correct order is: Obtain → Translate → Attest.
● Important Clarifications

Key Notes & Exemptions

🏢
Already in UAE — Job Change
Expats already resident in the UAE switching jobs are generally not required to submit a home-country PCC. A UAE-issued Good Conduct Certificate from Dubai Police or MOI may suffice.
🗓️
PCC Validity: 30 Days
The UAE MOI formally sets PCC validity at 30 days from issuance. If it expires before your visa is processed, you must reapply and pay fees again. Plan accordingly.
🗺️
Attestation Country Differences
For Bhutan → India, Gambia → Senegal, Albania → Greece, Fiji & Tonga → New Zealand, Mauritius & Seychelles → Mozambique, Lithuania → Latvia, Nicaragua → Colombia, Slovenia → Austria.
🏙️
ICP vs GDRFA Jurisdiction
ICP handles entry permits for the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Fujairah). Dubai uses GDRFA and Abu Dhabi has its own authority — verify requirements per emirate.
💼
Employers Must Plan Ahead
Companies hiring from affected countries should factor in 4–8 weeks for PCC procurement + translation + attestation. Delayed PCC holds up the entire entry permit process.
📋
What is a Good Conduct Certificate?
An official government document confirming the absence of a criminal record (or providing criminal history). Issued by police or home affairs authority. Also called PCC or Criminal Clearance Certificate.
● Source of Truth — What Is Officially Confirmed vs What Is Advisory

Official vs Advisory

✅ Verified on Official Government Pages

What a PCC / Good Conduct Certificate is and how to get one — confirmed by the official UAE Government portal (u.ae):

  • A PCC is official proof of no criminal record, issued by UAE police departments — used for "work, study, immigration, obtaining licences and others".
  • Residents apply via the MOI website/app, MOI service centres, or in Dubai via the Dubai Police website/app, Smart Police stations and drive-through centres.
  • Resident documents: valid Emirates ID, a letter stating no pending criminal convictions, a passport photo, and a passport copy.
  • Non-residents / former residents: fingerprint card from your current country, attested by the UAE Embassy there, then submitted online to MOI or Dubai Police.
  • Fees differ by language, nationality, and place of residence.
⚠️ Advisory Channels Only — Not Yet on a Government URL

The new 45-nationality employment-visa rule is attributed to an ICP circular, but as of 7 July 2026 the u.ae portal does not publish it, and no public ICP web page confirming the phase lists could be retrieved. The specifics (exact nationalities, phase dates) circulate via legal / HR / attestation advisories:

  • Alwahaa Group advisory — phased rollout, selected nationalities and visa categories; stresses it is not a blanket requirement. Tourists and short-term visitors with no visa status change are generally unaffected; visit-visa-to-employment conversions and new residence filings can be asked for it.
  • Green Line Attestation — India-specific advisory, effective ~20 June 2026 for Indian nationals.
  • Kiran HR (LinkedIn) — the 45-nationality, 3-phase list and the note that applicants whose UAE residence visa was cancelled can apply for the certificate inside the UAE.

Treat the phase lists as unconfirmed on official channels — verify your individual case with the ICP, your sponsor's PRO, or a licensed immigration adviser before acting.

● Frequently Asked Questions — Evidence-Backed

FAQ — Tap to Expand

What exactly is a Good Conduct Certificate / PCC?
An official document proving you have no criminal record, issued by UAE police departments. It is used for work, study, immigration, and obtaining licences. Also called a Police Clearance Certificate or Criminal Clearance Certificate. Evidence: u.ae — official UAE Government portal
Does this new rule apply to everyone entering the UAE?
No. It is being phased in for selected nationalities and visa categories — mainly employment and residence applicants. It is not a blanket requirement, and eligibility depends on nationality, visa category, employer, and ICP security screening. Evidence: Alwahaa Group advisory (June 2026)
Do tourists need a PCC?
No. Tourists and short-term visitors with no visa status change are generally not affected. But converting a visit visa into an employment visa can trigger the requirement. Evidence: Alwahaa Group advisory
I'm an Indian national — when did the requirement start for me?
India is in Phase 1 of the ICP circular (from 16 June 2026); India-specific attestation advisories cite an effective date of around 20 June 2026 for employment-visa applicants. Evidence: Green Line Attestation — India advisory · ICP circular via published advisories
I'm already in the UAE and changing jobs — do I need a home-country PCC?
Generally no. Existing residents can usually obtain a UAE-issued Good Conduct Certificate instead, applied for inside the UAE via MOI or Dubai Police. Advisories note that residents whose residence visa was cancelled can also apply from inside the UAE. Evidence: Alwahaa Group · Kiran HR (LinkedIn)
How do I apply for a UAE-issued certificate while inside the UAE?
Through the MOI website/app or MOI service centres nationwide; in Dubai also via the Dubai Police website/app, Smart Police stations, and drive-through centres. Evidence: u.ae official portal
What documents do UAE residents need to apply?
A valid Emirates ID, a letter stating there are no pending criminal convictions, a recent passport photo, and a passport copy. For the new employment-visa route, advisories also list your current/previous UAE visa details and legal translation + attestation where a foreign certificate is not accepted as-is. Evidence: u.ae · Alwahaa Group
I'm no longer a UAE resident — can I still get a UAE PCC?
Yes. Former residents obtain a fingerprint card from their current country of residence, have it attested by the UAE Embassy there, then submit the application online to MOI or Dubai Police. Evidence: u.ae official portal
What is the correct order — translate first or attest first?
Obtain → Translate → Attest. Attestation stamps authenticate the document as it exists at stamping time, so a post-attestation translation will be rejected. Translation into Arabic or English by a certified translator must happen before UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation. Evidence: onlinetranslation.ae procedural guide · Alwahaa Group (translation & attestation chain)
How long is the certificate valid, and how long does it take?
The UAE MOI sets PCC validity at 30 days from issuance. A UAE-issued certificate is typically fast; a home-country certificate takes far longer — allow 4–8 weeks for police issuance, translation, UAE Embassy attestation, and MOFA attestation. Evidence: MOI validity rule (published advisories) · Alwahaa Group (timeline comparison)
How much does it cost?
The official portal states fees differ by language, nationality, and place of residence — no single published figure covers all cases. Check the exact fee in the MOI or Dubai Police application flow before paying. Evidence: u.ae official portal
Is the 45-country phase list published on an official government page?
Not yet (as of 7 July 2026). The u.ae portal describes the PCC itself but not the nationality-based employment rule; the phase lists come from an ICP circular circulated through law firms, PROs, and attestation agencies. Treat the exact country lists and dates as unconfirmed on official channels and verify with the ICP before acting. Evidence: absence on u.ae · Alwahaa, Green Line & Kiran HR citing the ICP circular
● Sources & References

Data Sources

Official government pages first, then the advisory sources reporting the ICP circular. All cards are clickable.

🏛️ u.ae — Official UAE Government Portal
The definitive government reference for what a PCC is, who can get one, application channels, and required documents.
🏛️ Ministry of Interior (MOI) — Application Portal
Nationwide official e-service to issue a Clear Criminal Record (Good Conduct) Certificate.
🏛️ Dubai Police — Good Conduct Certificate Service
Dubai's official application channel — website, app, Smart Police stations, and drive-through centres.
🏛️ UAE ICP — Federal Authority
icp.gov.ae — authority behind the circular attributed with the 3-phase rollout and country list (circular not yet on a public ICP page).
🔗 Alwahaa Group — 2026 PCC Guide
Dubai document-clearing advisory (June 2026): who is/isn't affected, required documents, and the inside-UAE vs home-country application routes.
🔗 Green Line Attestation — India Advisory
India-specific: PCC mandatory for Indian nationals on UAE employment visas, effective ~20 June 2026.
🔗 Kiran HR — LinkedIn Advisory
The 45-nationality, 3-phase list and the "cancelled residence visa → apply inside UAE" note.
🔗 shuraa.in — UAE Good Conduct Certificate Guide
Attestation country details, India-specific guidance, and phase-by-phase breakdown (July 2026).
🔗 gflolaw.com — International Law Analysis
Company advisory on the new PCC requirement, employer implications, and legalization timelines (June 2026).
🔗 onlinetranslation.ae — ICP PCC Procedural Guide
Translation-before-attestation rule, language requirements per country, rejection avoidance guide (June 2026).

⚠️ Disclaimer: This infographic is for information only. Requirements may change. Always verify with the UAE ICP, your sponsor's PRO, or a licensed immigration adviser before making applications.