A Dubai Police Clearance Certificate—formally known as the “Criminal Status Certificate”—is required for immigration, licensing, corporate onboarding, and regulatory filings. When applying from the UK, applicants operate outside UAE jurisdiction, meaning every identity and authentication step must meet UAE verification thresholds to avoid non-issuance.
The Dubai Police Clearance Certificate is issued to two groups: people currently living in the UAE and former residents applying from overseas. In both cases, the certificate is requested for official uses such as employment, visa applications, or immigration checks. Its validity is short—only three months from the date of issue—so applicants need to plan their steps carefully to make sure the document is still valid when they submit it.
Competent Authorities and Strategic Application Channels
For an applicant residing in the United Kingdom, processing the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate application requires engagement with both federal and local UAE administrative and police services. The primary channels available for submission are digital: the federal Ministry of Interior (MOI) website or its smart application (MOI UAE, available on Google Play and iTunes), and the local Dubai Police website or its associated smart application.The Dubai Police service is also accessible via the Dubai Now platform.
The Basic Requirement for Non-Residents: The Attested Fingerprint Card
For individuals applying from the United Kingdom who are not current UAE residents, the application’s foundational requirement shifts from the submission of an Emirates ID to the provision of verifiable, UK-sourced biometric data. If the applicant lacks a digital (decimal) fingerprint scan on file with UAE authorities, they must obtain a physical fingerprint card from the country of residence. A fingerprint card is defined as an official police department report verifying the individual’s identity based on biometrics.
This document further undergoes a rigorous diplomatic legalisation process, culminating in its approval and attestation by the UAE Embassy in the UK. The attested fingerprint card, coupled with a copy of the applicant’s valid passport, two recent photographs, a copy of the last UAE visa (if applicable), and a written statement detailing the reason for the application, forms the complete package required for the formal PCC submission to the Dubai Police or MOI.
Phase One: UK-Based Biometric Data Capture and Authentication (The Input Document)
Securing the Biometric Data and Technical Standards
The process requires the applicant to obtain the fingerprint card from a competent authority or specialized service within the UK. Given the stringent quality control standards mandated by UAE police authorities, utilizing professional, authorized private fingerprint agencies in the UK is highly recommended. Many such agencies inluding fingerprint specialists at the Metropolitan Police , ensures that the biometrics are captured using internationally recognized standards .The use of such expert services is a crucial risk-mitigation strategy designed to minimize the likelihood of technical rejection by UAE authorities.
Technical compliance extends to the documentation standards on the card itself. Data fields such as Name (NAM), Date of Birth (DOB), Sex (SEX), Date fingerprinted, and Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) Number must be accurately completed. All required data must be typewritten or legibly printed using black or blue ink and must remain within the boundaries of the designated block areas. Impressions must be rolled completely from nail to nail and placed in the correct sequence, with clear notations made for any missing impressions due to amputation.
Solicitor Authentication for Dubai Police Clearance Certificate Issuance
Once your fingerprint card is filled out correctly, gather the full document set: the original fingerprint card, passport copy, any old UAE visa, two passport photos, and a short statement explaining why you need the certificate.
Before the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will legalise the fingerprint card, it has to be authenticated inside the UK. The FCDO normally accepts only official documents signed by a UK Registrar, so anything issued by a police station or private biometric centre—like a fingerprint card—must first be notarised by a UK Notary Public or verified by a UK Solicitor. This step is not optional. The Solicitor or Notary confirms the document’s authenticity, and that verification is what allows the FCDO to process it and begin the full cross-border legalisation chain for UAE acceptance.
Phase Two: The Diplomatic Legalisation Chain (FCDO and UAE Embassy Attestation)
This phase is critical for non-resident applications, as it transforms the UK-sourced biometric document into a legally recognized instrument acceptable to UAE authorities.
Step 1: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation
The authenticated fingerprint card must first be submitted to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for legalisation. This process involves the FCDO verifying the authenticity of the signature and seal of the preceding UK Solicitor or Notary Public, and then affixing the UK’s legal endorsement, or Apostille, to the document.
It’s important to note that that documents that have been apostilled in a bundle will not be accepted.The fingerprint card must be processed and apostilled as a standalone document, separately from any other records the applicant may need legalised, such as academic certificates or other personal documents.
Step 2: UAE Embassy in London Attestation
Upon receiving the FCDO Apostille, the document must then be submitted to the Legalisation Department of the UAE Embassy in London. This secondary attestation step is mandatory, confirming the legal recognition of the document for submission to the UAE MOI or Dubai Police. The UAE Embassy in London provides legalisation services for documents originating from the UK, the UAE, and Iceland.
Submission Protocol and Process
The submission and collection of documents at the UAE Embassy in London are strictly administered by postal service; in-person submissions are not permitted. The required postal package must contain the following components:
- The FCDO-legalised fingerprint card.
- The online payment confirmation receipt for the attestation service.
- A covering letter including the applicant’s contact details (email and mobile number).
- A self-addressed envelope affixed with a registered or recorded stamp for the return of the attested documents.
- A photocopy (front and back) of each document being submitted.
The standard processing time for documents submitted by post is estimated to take up to five working days. To expedite this timeline, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) offers a Digital Attestation Service. Facilitated through approved service providers like Wirestork, the process involves the courier collection of the original physical document and the subsequent issuance of a digitally attested copy by the UAE Embassy and MoFA, which is legally recognized within the UAE. This is usually faster and takes upto three working days to complete.
Fee Structure for Legalisation
The payment for the UAE Embassy attestation service must be made online via the attestation section of the MoFA website. Cash, personal cheques, or postal orders are not accepted.During the online payment process, the applicant must specify the location for Attestation as “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” and select the attestation type as “Certificate,” as this classification applies to individual personal documents like the fingerprint card.
The estimated fee for attestation of a personal certificate (such as the Police Report/Fingerprint Card) is 150 AED, in addition to transaction fees of 3 AED plus 2% per transaction.
| Phase | Document | Jurisdiction/Location | Action Performed | Authority/Entity |
| I (Biometric Capture) | Fingerprint Card | UK (Private Agency/Police) | Biometric Data Collection and Report Generation | UK Private Agency/Police |
| I (Authentication) | Fingerprint Card | UK (Solicitor/Notary) | Authentication of Signatory/Document Integrity (Necessary for FCDO) | UK Solicitor/Notary Public |
| II (Primary Legalisation) | Fingerprint Card | UK (FCDO) | Verification of Solicitor/Notary Signature (Apostille) | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) |
| II (Secondary Attestation) | Fingerprint Card | UK (UAE Embassy London) | Legalisation and Attestation for UAE Submission | UAE Embassy in London |
| III (Application Submission) | All Documents | Online (UK) | Submission of Digitally Attested Card and Application | Dubai Police / MOI Portal |
Phase Three: Formal Application Submission to UAE Authorities
Digital Application and Identity Verification
Once the fingerprint card is fully attested in the UK, you can move to the digital application stage through the MOI or Dubai Police portals. For applicants outside the UAE, this attested fingerprint card replaces the biometric validation that would normally come from a current Emirates ID.
Your online submission must include: a scanned copy of the attested fingerprint card, your passport, your last UAE visa (if you had one), two recent passport photos, and a short statement explaining why you need the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate.
Fee Structure and Financial Risk
The Federal Fee Components for overseas applications submitted through the MOI channel are:
- Service Request Fees for Use Outside the Country: 100 AED.
- Fingerprinting fees (applicable to visitors and GCC citizens): 50 AED.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFAIC) attestation fees, which are mandatory for international use: 300 AED.
Deficiency Resolution and Strict Time Limits
UAE rules give applicants a strict three-month window to fix any missing information in their Dubai Police Clearance Certificate application. If you don’t respond to the request for additional documents within that timeframe, the system cancels your application automatically. The fees you paid are not refunded. In short: you must track your application closely and reply quickly to any requests, or you lose both the application and the money.
V. Compliance Risk and Legal Grounds for Rejection
Getting a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate requires two things: completing every procedural step correctly and having a clean legal record in the UAE. Any criminal history or unresolved case will cause the application to fail. Checking your UAE legal status thoroughly is essential before you apply—it’s the foundation for a successful PCC request.
Serious Legal Issues That Block Your PCC
The primary legal basis for the denial of a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate application relates to the applicant’s existing judicial status. A PCC is proof of the lack of a criminal record and the absence of criminal precedents.
- Criminal Charges or Active Cases: The existence of any current criminal charges against the applicant in Dubai or an active legal case under a similar name constitutes a substantive barrier leading directly to rejection. You can check for a criminal case in Dubai here.
- Outstanding Travel Bans: Any remaining travel ban imposed by UAE authorities, regardless of whether its origin is a criminal case, a financial dispute, or another legal matter, will prevent the issuance of the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate. Check for a UAE Travel Ban here.
Even though the UAE now lifts travel bans automatically once the related case is settled, applicants still need to double-check that the ban is truly removed. This is not something to assume. Legal counsel should verify it, and applicants can also use tools like the Dubai Police portal (for financial cases linked to an Emirates ID) or Abu Dhabi’s Estafser service to confirm full clearance. Making sure there are no remaining warrants or travel bans is the safest way to avoid a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate denial and the loss of non-refundable fees.
Administrative and Technical Grounds
EA PCC can still be rejected even when there are no legal issues—simple procedural mistakes are enough to stop the application.
- Incomplete Submission:
If any required document is missing—especially the attested fingerprint card—the application is treated as incomplete and will be rejected. - Data Mismatch:
All personal details must match UAE records exactly. Even small differences in your name, passport number, or past residency information can cause the system to fail identity verification and reject the application. - Payment Errors:
If the required fees aren’t paid correctly, the application won’t move forward. This is usually easy to fix, but only if caught quickly.
Because the application depends on a UK-issued document that must pass through several layers of legalisation (Solicitor → FCDO → UAE Embassy), any break in that chain—such as submitting a laminated fingerprint card or an apostille issued as part of a bundled set—will cause an automatic rejection. When that happens, the fees are lost, because they are non-refundable.
Official Fee Structure (UAE Dirhams) and Legal Denial Factors
| Service Component | Jurisdiction | Fee (AED) | Notes on Legality/Source |
| Service Request Fees (Use Outside UAE) | Federal/MOI | 100 | Service request fee |
| Fingerprinting Fees (Visitors/GCC) | Federal/MOI | 50 | Biometric processing fee |
| MoFAIC Attestation (for Overseas Use) | Federal/MOI | 300 | Mandatory final legalisation fee |
| UAE Embassy Attestation Fee (London) | Federal/MoFAIC | 150 (Personal Certificate Estimate) | Required for the input document (fingerprint card) |
| Total Mandatory Dubai Police Clearance Certificate Cost (Excluding UK Legalisation): | Minimum | 600 AED | Represents the core UAE administrative and legalisation costs. |
| Legal Grounds for Dubai Police Clearance Certificate Denial | Associated Risk |
| Active Criminal Charges / Ongoing Cases | Substantive legal status barrier |
| Outstanding Travel Ban (Criminal or Financial) | Judicial impediment to clearance |
| Missing or Non-Attested Fingerprint Card | Administrative procedural failure (Phase I/II incomplete) |
| Data Mismatch (Name/Passport/Residency) | Failure of identity verification against records |
Phase Four: Post-Issuance and Final International Legalisation (MoFAIC Attestation)
Mandatory Requirement for Cross-Jurisdictional Recognition
The last step for making the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate valid outside the UAE is the mandatory attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MoFAIC). This confirms that the seal and signature on the certificate—whether issued by Dubai Police or the MOI—are genuine. Immigration offices, foreign employers, and other authorities won’t accept the document without this step.
For overseas applicants, the 300 AED MoFAIC fee is usually paid upfront through the MOI system. That built-in payment triggers the attestation process automatically as soon as the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate is issued, so there’s no delay in getting the final, internationally usable version.
Validity and Legal Perishability
A Dubai Police Clearance Certificate is only valid for three months from the date it’s issued. That short window makes the document highly time-sensitive. If the overall process—especially the long UK legalisation steps or any delays fixing missing documents—drags on too long, the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate can expire before you’re able to use it for things like visa applications or employment checks. To avoid wasting the certificate, each stage of the process has to move quickly and in order, with no gaps.
Detailed Procedural Checklist and Compliance Management
Mandatory Documentation Checklist for UK Non-Residents
| Document Type | Requirement | Status/UK Action | UAE Requirement Fulfilled |
| Fingerprint Card | Original, complete, legible decimal fingerprint impressions | Obtained in the UK (specialized agency advised) | Mandatory biometric identity verification |
| Attested Fingerprint Card | UAE Embassy-approved | FCDO Legalisation followed by UAE Embassy London attestation 10 | Ensures card’s authenticity for application submission |
| Passport Copy | Valid passport copy | Colour copy of current passport or travel document | Identity and nationality confirmation |
| Previous UAE Visa Copy | Copy of last UAE visa (if applicable) | Copy of visa/residence stamp (if prior resident) | Verifies previous residence history in the UAE |
| Passport-Size Photographs | Two recent passport-sized photographs | Must meet standard passport photo requirements 16 | Personal identification requirement |
| Reason for Application | Statement outlining the purpose of the Dubai Police Clearance Certificate | Clear statement (e.g., employment, immigration) | Administrative requirement |
These UK steps for processing a Dubai Police Clearance Certificate relies on sequential processing and postal turnaround times, you need to plan the timeline carefully. Stay in active contact with the legalisation offices handling your documents. For updates or guidance on UAE attestation requirements, you can reach the UAE Embassy Legalisation Department in London by email at LondonEMB.legal2@mofaic.gov.ae or by phone at +44 20 7581 1281 (available only from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
