The UAE Good Conduct Certificate Requirement: What Applicants and Employers Need to Know in 2026
Since April 2026, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has been progressively requiring a good conduct certificate — a police clearance confirming the applicant has no criminal record — as part of new entry-permit applications for an expanding list of nationalities. Unlike many UAE regulatory changes, this one was not introduced through a single public announcement. It has instead been rolled out via circulars sent to free zones, typing centres and registration authorities, which means many applicants only become aware of the requirement when a filing is returned for missing documentation.
Lets summarize who the requirement currently applies to, which application types are affected, and how applicants — whether abroad or already inside the UAE — can obtain and legalize the certificate.
What the Certificate Is
A good conduct certificate (also referred to as a police clearance certificate or criminal record check) is issued by the police or justice authority of the country where the applicant resides or holds nationality. It confirms the absence of a criminal record and, for UAE immigration purposes, must generally be no older than around three months at the time of use. When issued outside the UAE, the certificate must also be legalized for UAE use through the standard attestation chain before it can be submitted.
In practice, obtaining the certificate itself is usually quick and inexpensive. It is the attestation process that tends to take the most time and should be planned for accordingly.
A Phased Rollout Across Three Stages
The requirement began with an initial ICP circular in April 2026 covering a smaller group of nationalities. A formal three-phase schedule followed from June 2026:
Phase 1 (16 June 2026): India, Pakistan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Gambia, Senegal, Mozambique, Cuba, Mexico, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Tonga
Phase 2 (15 August 2026): Bangladesh, Philippines, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Cyprus, Albania, Mauritius, Fiji
Phase 3 (15 November 2026): China, Iran, South Africa, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Nicaragua, Slovenia, Seychelles
By the time Phase 3 takes effect, the requirement is expected to cover 45 nationalities in total. It is worth noting that ICP has not published one single, consolidated public list — the phased schedule has been assembled from notices circulated to companies and free zones, and some inconsistencies exist at the margins. Applicants and their employers should always confirm the current status for a specific nationality with the filing typing center, free zone, or ICP directly, rather than relying solely on any published list, including this one.
Which Applications Are Affected
The requirement applies to new entry permits — the approval stage that precedes issuance of a residence visa — covering employment, family and other long-stay categories processed through ICP. This includes Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates. Multiple reports also indicate the requirement extending to tourist-visa applications for listed nationalities.
Renewals of an existing residence visa generally fall outside the requirement, although some free zones have reportedly requested the certificate on renewal applications as well. It is advisable to confirm on a case-by-case basis rather than assume.
Dubai applications are processed separately through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), which maintains its own document requirements. Applicants filing through Dubai should confirm directly with an Amer center.
Where the Certificate Should Come From
The correct source of the certificate depends on the applicant's current situation:
Applying from outside the UAE: the certificate should be obtained from the applicant's home country, then attested by the relevant UAE embassy in the issuing country, followed by a final stamp from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC).
Inside the UAE on a tourist visa: the same home-country and attestation process applies, typically arranged remotely or through the relevant consulate.
Inside the UAE with a cancelled residence visa: the certificate can instead be obtained locally, either through the Ministry of Interior (issued online against an Emirates ID or unified number) or through Dubai Police for UAE history based in Dubai. In this case, the overseas attestation chain does not apply.
Where the UAE does not maintain an embassy in a particular issuing country, attestation is handled through the nearest accredited UAE mission, which can add several additional weeks to the process. Applicants and employers should factor this into planning timelines well in advance.
A Note on Attestation
A common misconception is that an apostille from the issuing country can substitute for embassy attestation. This is not the case: the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so the full attestation chain — UAE embassy attestation followed by MOFAIC — remains necessary regardless of any apostille obtained domestically. Applicants should budget both time and cost for the complete process rather than assuming a shortcut is available.
Practical Recommendations
Given the fluid and non-centralised nature of how this requirement has been communicated, we recommend the following approach for applicants and sponsoring entities:
Verify before filing. Confirm directly with the processing typing centre, free zone, or ICP whether a good conduct certificate is currently mandatory for the applicant's nationality, as the schedule can shift.
Start the attestation process early. Since the certificate's validity window is limited and attestation can take weeks, timing the application process correctly is essential.
Consider voluntary submission. Even where not strictly mandatory for a given nationality, submitting a good conduct certificate — particularly following a prior application rejection — can support a smoother reapplication process.
Treat rejection reasons in their original language as authoritative. Where an application is declined, the Arabic-language rejection reason is generally the operative version and should be reviewed carefully, as English summaries can be generic.
The UAE's 2026 good conduct certificate requirement reflects a broader tightening of entry-permit documentation standards, applied gradually and communicated primarily through administrative channels rather than a single formal announcement. For applicants, sponsors, and the professionals assisting them, the key to a smooth process lies in early verification of current requirements, careful planning around the attestation timeline, and close attention to the specific application category and emirate involved.
This article reflects the regulatory position as understood in August 2026. Requirements in this area continue to evolve, and readers are encouraged to confirm current rules with ICP or a qualified advisor before proceeding with an application.
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