New Visa Requirement: Good Conduct Certificate Now Mandatory for 15 Nationalities

What Has Changed

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), also known as a Good Conduct Certificate, is now mandatory for new entry permit applications submitted by nationals of 15 countries. This is a federal-level requirement issued by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), meaning it applies across the entire UAE — whether the visa is processed through a mainland company, a free zone, or as a family sponsorship. It is not limited to any specific economic zone or emirate.

The affected nationalities are: Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Iraq, Nepal, Afghanistan, Mexico, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cuba, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia.

Why This Matters for Business Setup

For companies and entrepreneurs operating in the UAE, this regulation has direct implications for workforce planning. Any new hire holding a passport from one of these 15 countries will now require a valid Good Conduct Certificate before a visa application can be submitted. This means that recruitment timelines for affected nationalities will likely extend, as obtaining and attesting the certificate involves additional steps that can take several weeks depending on the applicant's country of origin.

The requirement also affects family visa sponsorship. If a spouse, parent, or other dependent holds a passport from one of the listed countries and requires a new UAE residence visa, the same certificate will be needed.

How to Obtain the Certificate

The process depends on where the applicant is located at the time of application.

If the applicant is outside the UAE, the Good Conduct Certificate must be obtained from the relevant authority in their home country (typically the national police or ministry of interior) and then attested by the UAE Embassy in that country. The certificate must also be authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA) once in the UAE.

If the applicant is inside the UAE with a cancelled visa, the certificate must be obtained through UAE Police — either via the Dubai Police app, the Ministry of Interior portal, or at designated police service centres. Fees vary by residency status, with residents typically paying around AED 200. Processing usually takes between one and five working days for in-country applications.

In both cases, the certificate must be in Arabic or English. If issued in another language, an official translation will be required before attestation.

Practical Considerations

There are a few things businesses and individuals should keep in mind. First, certificates have a limited validity window. The MOI-issued certificate has a formal validity of 30 days from the date of issuance, though Dubai Police certificates may remain valid for up to three months. This means timing the application correctly is essential — obtaining the certificate too early could result in it expiring before the visa is processed.

Second, the attestation chain (home country authority → UAE Embassy → MOFA) can take several weeks, particularly for applicants from countries with less streamlined bureaucratic processes. Employers and sponsors should factor this into their hiring and relocation timelines.

Third, this requirement applies to new visa applications only. It does not appear to affect visa renewals for existing residents, nor does it apply to dependents who are being sponsored under a family visa by someone who is not from the listed nationalities.

What This Means for Businesses

The UAE continues to refine its visa and immigration framework as part of broader security and governance reforms. For businesses setting up in the UAE or expanding their teams, staying ahead of these regulatory changes is essential. Proactive planning — including early document preparation and working with experienced PRO service providers — can prevent delays and ensure a smooth onboarding process.

Takeaway

The introduction of a mandatory Good Conduct Certificate for 15 nationalities adds a new compliance layer to the UAE visa process. While the requirement is straightforward, the execution — particularly around attestation timelines and certificate validity — requires careful coordination. Businesses that plan ahead will avoid unnecessary disruptions to their operations.