If you’re living in the UAE, preparing to leave, applying for a job overseas, or simply need to renew your documents, you may be asked for a UAE police clearance certificate. This certification is to ensure that you have not been convicted of any crime in the country where you are staying. It has been modernised so that both online and offline applicants are taken care of, whether it is in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other part of the Emirates, or even outside of the UAE.
Herein, this guide will assist you on what is required, how to apply, the documents, payment fees and some important tips to ensure a smooth process.
What Is a UAE Police Clearance Certificate & Who Needs It
A police clearance certificate, also known as a good conduct certificate or criminal record certificate, is an official certificate by either the Dubai Police or the Ministry of Interior (MOI) that certifies that you have no unresolved criminal records with the UAE at the time of your stay.
You may need it if you are:
- Applying for employment overseas or in sensitive sectors.
- Relocating to a foreign country to study or live.
- Applying for visa applications, immigration, or citizenship in foreign countries.
- Licensing or other professional accreditation, Government contract registration.
PPC Online Application Process
To apply for your PPC online, you have to:
- Select the Issuing Authority: Dubai residents can opt for the Dubai Police website/app. For other emirates, visit the MOI portal or the MOI UAE mobile app.
- Login / Authenticate: Present UAE Pass or other valid credentials.
- Fill in the Form: Complete personal information, certificate objective (local or international) and mention address, contact, etc.
- Upload Documents: This includes your Passport, Emirates ID (where necessary), residency visa page, photo, and fingerprint card, where the applicant is outside the country.
- Pay Fees: The charges are dependent on the nationality, purpose, inside of UAE or outside. The price of nationals is lower; foreign applications are more expensive.
- Receive Certificate: After approval, the digital certificate can be downloaded or received via email. Most local applications usually require 1-2 working days; more (approximately a week) in case fingerprint attestation, embassy procedures are required.
Offline & From Abroad Options for PPC Application
In case you would like to do it physically, or because you cannot upload your documents
- Go to a police station or service centre in your emirate
- Physically hand over the application form with documents.
- Pay fees at the counter
- Obtain the certificate personally
For those outside the UAE:
- Acquire a fingerprint card locally.
- Attest it by the UAE embassy/consulate.
- The application is to be submitted either using MOI or through the Dubai Police GHQ, based on your last place of residence in the UAE.
In case you want to avoid hassle, you can count on professional assistance. Consulting.ae is a multilingual firm that offers assistance with the UAE police clearance certificate service as part of its corporate services. They do not simply seek to be a service provider but a partner whom you can trust to deal with all the regulatory aspects, allowing you to pursue your objectives.
Conclusion
Applying for a police clearance certificate in the UAE no longer needs to be a confusing, drawn-out process. Regardless of where you are, in the UAE or elsewhere, it can be done with online portals, such as the portal of Dubai Police or the MOI app. All you need to do is get your documents right, select the appropriate authority and take the appropriate path.
