Almost every permanent residence application asks for a police certificate from each country you have lived in, and for UAE residents that means a certificate from the UAE. While you live here it is quick: you apply online with UAE PASS and often receive it the same day. After you leave, it becomes slower and needs an attested fingerprint card. This guide explains which certificate to get, what it costs, how to apply, and what Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US expect.
Checked on 5 October 2026 against the UAE Ministry of Interior, the UAE government portal and the immigration authorities named below. Sources are listed at the end. Fees change, so confirm on the service page before you pay.
On this page
- One certificate, three names
- MOI or Dubai Police: which to choose
- Fees
- How to apply through MOI
- How to apply through Dubai Police
- What each country asks for
- When to apply
- If you have already left the UAE
- Attestation: do you need it?
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
One certificate, three names
The same type of document appears under different names. Do not let this confuse you.
- Criminal Clearance Certificate or Clear Criminal Record Certificate: issued by the federal Ministry of Interior (MOI).
- Police Clearance Certificate: issued by Dubai Police and other emirate police services.
- Good Conduct Certificate: the name many embassies and agencies use.
Canada’s immigration department accepts a UAE certificate under any of these names. Most other countries ask for a police certificate from the UAE without naming a specific version.
Choose the right service. The MOI website also has a service called “Issuance of a clearance certificate” that confirms you have no unpaid traffic fines or black points. It is not a police certificate for immigration. The service you need is called Issuance of Criminal Clearance Certificate.
MOI or Dubai Police: which to choose
| Ministry of Interior (MOI) | Dubai Police | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | The UAE as a whole, for your period of residence | Issued by Dubai Police |
| Who can use it | Residents of every emirate, including Dubai | Mainly people who live or lived in Dubai |
| How to apply | MOI UAE app or moi.gov.ae with UAE PASS | Dubai Police app or website |
| Fee for use abroad (resident) | AED 100 | AED 200 plus AED 20 |
For most people the MOI certificate is the simplest choice. It is federal, it is cheaper, and residents of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates apply this way anyway. If you live in Dubai, either works. Follow any specific instruction from the country you are applying to.
Fees
Ministry of Interior
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Certificate for use inside the UAE | 50 |
| Certificate for use outside the UAE | 100 |
| Fingerprinting, for visitors and GCC citizens | 50 |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, optional | 300 |
The MOI fee is not refunded after you submit, even if you choose the wrong option, so check your choices before paying.
Dubai Police
| Applicant | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| UAE citizen | 100 |
| UAE resident | 200 |
| Applicant outside the UAE | 300 |
| Knowledge and innovation fees, added to each | 20 |
How to apply through MOI
- Open the MOI UAE app or moi.gov.ae and log in with UAE PASS.
- Choose Issuance of Criminal Clearance Certificate.
- Select for use outside the UAE. This matters: the inside-UAE certificate is meant for local use.
- Enter the purpose, such as immigration, and choose English as the language.
- Pay AED 100 by card. Add attestation only if you need it (see below).
- Download the certificate from the app or your email when it is issued.
You will need a valid Emirates ID linked to your UAE PASS. The certificate covers the period of your residence in the UAE. It is issued in Arabic and English, and it cannot be changed after it is issued: if a detail is wrong, you must apply again.
How to apply through Dubai Police
- Open the Dubai Police app or website and log in with UAE PASS.
- Choose the Police Clearance Certificate service.
- Enter the purpose and who the certificate is for.
- Upload anything requested, such as a passport copy or photo.
- Pay the fee and submit.
If you do not have an Emirates ID, or your fingerprints are not on record, Dubai Police may ask you to visit a police station for fingerprinting.
What each country asks for
The country you are applying to decides who needs a certificate and how old it may be. Check your own document checklist, because rules differ by visa type.
| Country | Who needs a UAE certificate |
|---|---|
| Canada (permanent residence) | Each applicant and family member aged 18 or over, for every country lived in for 6 months or more in a row, in the last 10 years |
| Australia (most visas) | For every country lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years, since age 16, when asked |
| New Zealand (residence) | For every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Certificates must be less than 6 months old when you apply |
| United States (immigrant visas) | Applicants who live, or lived, in the UAE, as listed for the UAE on the State Department’s country page |
The 12-month rule adds up. For Australia and New Zealand, the time does not have to be one stay. Several shorter periods in the UAE that add up to 12 months still count.
You will usually need certificates from other countries too, especially your home country. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and other residents can usually request their home-country certificate through their embassy or consulate in the UAE or an appointed service provider. Start that early, because it often takes longer than the UAE certificate.
For the full immigration process, see our guides to Canada PR from the UAE and Australia PR from the UAE.
When to apply
Do not get the certificate too early. Many immigration authorities want a recent certificate, and some set a maximum age. New Zealand, for example, wants certificates less than 6 months old when you apply.
- Canada: get it after you receive an Invitation to Apply, so it is fresh when you submit.
- Australia: get it after you are invited, or when Home Affairs asks.
- Any country: get it before you leave the UAE if you are about to move. Applying from abroad is much harder.
If you have already left the UAE
Former residents can still apply online through MOI or Dubai Police, but you must prove your identity first. The UAE government says you need:
- A fingerprint card taken by the police in the country where you now live
- That fingerprint card attested by the UAE embassy in that country
- A copy of your last UAE residence visa
- A copy of your passport
Dubai Police charges AED 300 for applicants outside the UAE. The full process, including embassy attestation and courier, can take several weeks. This is why getting the certificate before you leave saves time and money.
Attestation: do you need it?
MOI offers Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation for certificates used abroad, for AED 300. It is optional. Only pay for it if the country, employer or authority asking for your certificate requires attestation. Check your document checklist first. If it only asks for a police certificate from the UAE, the attested version is usually not needed.
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying for the traffic clearance certificate. It has a similar name on the MOI website. You need the criminal clearance certificate.
- Choosing “for use inside the UAE”. For immigration, choose use outside the UAE.
- Getting it too early. It may be too old by the time your file is checked.
- Leaving the UAE first. You will then need an attested fingerprint card.
- Forgetting family members. Your spouse and adult children may each need their own certificate.
- Paying an agent for a simple online service. If you live in the UAE and have UAE PASS, you can apply yourself in a few minutes.
Questions people ask
How much is a police clearance certificate in the UAE?
Through the Ministry of Interior, AED 100 for use outside the UAE and AED 50 for use inside. Dubai Police charges AED 200 for residents plus AED 20 in extra fees. MOFA attestation, if you need it, is AED 300 more.
How long does a UAE police clearance certificate take?
For residents applying online with UAE PASS, often the same day or within a day or two. For people outside the UAE, several weeks, mostly because of the fingerprint card and embassy attestation.
Which UAE police certificate does Canada accept?
Canada accepts a Police Clearance Certificate from an emirate, a federal Criminal Clearance Certificate, or a Good Conduct Certificate. One certificate covering your UAE residence is enough.
Do I need a separate certificate for each emirate?
No. The MOI criminal clearance certificate is federal and covers your period of residence in the UAE.
Can I get a UAE police certificate after leaving?
Yes. You need a fingerprint card from the police where you now live, attested by the UAE embassy there, plus a copy of your last UAE visa. It takes longer and costs more.
How long is a UAE police certificate valid?
It depends on the country receiving it, not just the UAE. New Zealand wants certificates under 6 months old. Others accept older ones or tell you in your checklist. Check your destination’s rules.
Related guides
- Canada PR from the UAE: Express Entry step by step
- Australia PR from the UAE: 189, 190 and 491 visas
- UAE employer NOC letter templates
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Interior — Issuance of Criminal Clearance Certificate: moi.gov.ae
- UAE Ministry of Interior — Authentication of Criminal Clearance Certificate for use Abroad: moi.gov.ae
- UAE government portal — Police Clearance Certificate: u.ae
- Immigration New Zealand — police certificates: immigration.govt.nz
- Australian Government — character requirements and penal clearance certificates: Department of Home Affairs and Australian embassies
- IRCC — police certificates for the United Arab Emirates: canada.ca
- US Department of State — Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents: United Arab Emirates: travel.state.gov
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa and residence rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 October 2026. Fees and procedures are rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email [email protected] — it gets fixed and logged.