UAE Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Domestic Workers — Complete 2026 Guide

UAE Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Domestic Workers — Complete 2026 Guide

📢 MOHRE Update — April 2026: The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), together with the Ministry of Interior (MOI), has made the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) mandatory for new domestic worker visa applicants from 16 nationalities — including Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Uganda, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and others. This guide is written for the worker — with a short section for the sponsoring family at the end.

✅ Good news for sponsors (madam/sir): You do NOT need to bring your own police clearance. The new rule applies only to the worker. Your usual sponsor papers stay the same — Emirates ID, passport, salary certificate, Ejari, insurance.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — also called a Good Conduct Certificate (شهادة حسن السيرة والسلوك) — is one official paper from the police that says:

"This person has no criminal case. They are clean."

In some countries it has different names:

It is one paper only — but it must be stamped many times before the UAE accepts it. This guide shows you every stamp.

Why MOHRE Made This Change in 2026

The UAE government announced three reasons for the new rule:

1. Family safety — every worker living inside a UAE home with children or elderly must have a clean background.
2. Worker protection — workers with clean records can no longer be falsely accused later because the paper trail is official.
3. Global standards — match international labour rules (ILO, GCC bilateral agreements, source-country protection laws).

The rule is enforced through MOHRE's Tadbeer centres — the only legal channel to recruit a domestic worker in the UAE — and through GDRFA when the visa is stamped.

Important: This applies to new visa applications only. If a worker already holds a valid UAE residence permit, she is not affected and continues working as normal.

The 16 Nationalities That Now Require a PCC

As of April 2026, the following 16 nationalities require a Police Clearance Certificate for a new UAE residence visa — including domestic worker visas:

The 7 highlighted countries are the main domestic-worker source nationalities for the UAE. If a worker is from one of these, the PCC must be on her file before MOHRE issues the visa.

For nationalities NOT on the list (Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ethiopia as of writing), confirm with your licensed Tadbeer centre before paying any fees — the list is reviewed by MOHRE quarterly.

🇵🇭 Special Case — Filipina Workers and the NBI Clearance

Filipina maids, nannies and cooks are one of the largest and most-requested groups in the UAE — so this question comes up constantly: does a Filipina worker need the UAE Police Clearance Certificate?

Short answer: No — not the UAE MOHRE PCC. The Philippines is not on the 16-nationality MOHRE list, so a Filipina worker does not need a UAE-issued Good Conduct Certificate for her visa.

But she does need her own home-country clearance — the NBI Clearance. This is the Philippines' equivalent police clearance, and it is a standard part of every legal overseas deployment handled by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW — formerly POEA). UAE employers and licensed agencies routinely ask to see it.

What is the NBI Clearance?

The NBI Clearance is issued by the Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation. It certifies the worker has no criminal record in the Philippines and is the document embassies, recruiters and foreign employers rely on for overseas hiring.

How a Filipina worker gets it

If she is still in the Philippines:

1. Register and book an appointment online at clearance.nbi.gov.ph.
2. Pay the fee and bring a valid government-issued ID to the NBI branch.
3. Complete photo and fingerprint biometrics.
4. "No Hit" → released the same day. A "Hit" (her name matches another record) means a short verification wait.

If she is already in the UAE:

• She can apply online and have the clearance couriered to her, or process it through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai / Embassy in Abu Dhabi using NBI Form No. 5 (fingerprint card), a 2×2 white-background photo and a copy of her passport bio-data page — the form is then submitted to the NBI main office in Manila through an authorised representative.

Good to know

• Delivery to the UAE / Gulf is fast — usually about 1–2 weeks.
• First-time job seekers can get the NBI Clearance free once under Republic Act 11261.
• Some employers require the clearance to be apostilled by the Philippines' DFA — confirm the exact format with your agency before you pay.
• Most agencies expect a clearance issued within the last 6 months.

✅ Bottom line for families: your Filipina worker won't carry a UAE PCC — she'll carry an NBI Clearance. A licensed agency will already have it on file. If an "agent" can't show it, treat that as a red flag.

You Have Two Situations

👉 Most workers are Situation A. Read that part carefully.

🌍 SITUATION A — Apply From Your Home Country

This is the long way. Take your time. Don't skip any step or your paper will be rejected at the UAE airport.

What you need before you start

• ✅ Your passport (valid more than 6 months)
• ✅ Two passport-size photos (white background, recent)
• ✅ Your birth certificate (some countries ask for it)
• ✅ Address proof (where you live)
• ✅ Money for police, MoFA, UAE Embassy, courier — total around USD 200 – 400
• ✅ Patience — full process takes 3 to 6 weeks

Step 1 — Go to your home country police

What you do there: fill the form → give your fingerprints → pay the police fee → take the receipt. Time: 1 day to 3 weeks.

Step 2 — Collect the certificate and CHECK it

Before you leave the police office, check carefully:

• ✅ Your name spelling — letter by letter, same as your passport
• ✅ Your passport number — correct
• ✅ Your date of birth — correct
• ✅ The police signature and stamp — clear
• ✅ The issue date — recent

🚨 One wrong letter = rejected. If your name on the PCC is "Aisha" but your passport says "Ayisha", the UAE will reject it. Fix it before you leave.

Step 3 — Notarize it (some countries only)

If yes, take it to a licensed notary, they put their stamp, you pay a small fee.

Step 4 — Stamp from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)

Go to your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). They put one big official stamp saying "the police signature on this paper is real."

You bring: PCC original + passport (original + copy) + form + fee (USD 20 – 50). Time: same day to 5 working days.

Step 5 — Stamp from the UAE Embassy in your country

This is the most important step. Without it, the UAE will not accept your paper. No exceptions.

Go to the UAE Embassy or Consulate in your capital city (Addis Ababa, Manila, Nairobi, Colombo, Kathmandu, Jakarta, etc.).

You bring: PCC (already MoFA-stamped) + passport + copy + 2 photos + UAE visa offer letter + fee USD 50 – 150. Time: 1 to 5 working days.

🎉 After this step, your PCC is ready to go to the UAE.

Step 6 — Hand the certificate to your agency

Give the original stamped PCC to your licensed home-country agency. The agency will:

1. Send it to the MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre in the UAE
2. Tadbeer gets the final MOFAIC stamp in Dubai (AED 300)
3. Attach it to your visa file
4. MOHRE approves your entry permit
5. You get your UAE visa ✈️

✅ You don't go to MOFAIC yourself. The Tadbeer centre in the UAE handles that final step for you.

How much does it all cost?

💡 Who pays? By UAE law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022), the sponsor (your future employer) must pay all recruitment costs — including this PCC. Many workers pay first and get reimbursed in the UAE. Keep all your receipts.

How long does it take?

• Fast countries (Philippines, Kenya): 2 weeks
• Normal countries (Ethiopia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal): 3 – 5 weeks
• Slow countries (with police backlog): 6 – 8 weeks

🇦🇪 SITUATION B — Apply From Inside the UAE

If you are already in the UAE (tourist visa, finishing old visa, or changing to a new sponsor), the process is very short and very cheap. You do not need any home-country paper.

Step 1 — Open the MOI app on your phone

Download "MOI UAE" (free, from App Store / Google Play). Or open moi.gov.ae in your browser.

Step 2 — Login with UAE Pass

If you don't have a UAE Pass account, ask your sponsor or agency to help. It is free and uses face or fingerprint.

Step 3 — Tap "Good Conduct Certificate"

Inside the app, go to: Police Services → Issuance of Clear Criminal Record Certificate

Step 4 — Fill in the request

• Use of certificate: Inside the UAE
• Purpose: Employment / Visa Application
• Language: Arabic or English

Step 5 — Upload photo and pay

• Upload your photo and passport copy
• Pay AED 50 by debit or credit card
• (AED 100 if for use outside UAE)

Step 6 — Receive the certificate in minutes

The PDF arrives in your MOI app within minutes, with a QR code. Save it on your phone. Email to your agency or Tadbeer centre the same day.

Cost — Inside UAE

For domestic worker visas, any of these is accepted by MOHRE.

Documents needed (Inside UAE)

• ✅ Emirates ID (front + back) — if she's already a resident
• ✅ Passport copy (bio-data page)
• ✅ Recent passport-size photo (white background)
• ✅ Fingerprints at the local police service centre (only for visitors / GCC nationals)

Pro tip — Do this BEFORE your current visa expires

If your worker is approaching visa expiry and needs to transfer sponsorship, get the local PCC issued at least 4 weeks before the old visa expires. Once the visa lapses, applying for a new PCC becomes more complicated.

⚠️ The 3-Month Rule — VERY IMPORTANT

Your PCC is only valid for 3 months from the day the police issued it.

If 3 months pass before your UAE visa is stamped, the paper expires and you must:

• ❌ Start the whole process again
• ❌ Pay everything again
• ❌ Wait 3 – 5 more weeks

How to protect yourself:

1. Don't start too early. Wait until your agency confirms your contract is ready.
2. Once you have it, move fast. Hand it to the agency the same week.
3. Keep the original safe. Use a plastic folder. Don't fold it. Don't write on it.

Validity at a glance

🚫 Common Mistakes Workers Make (Don't Be This Worker)

1. ❌ Spelling mistake on the certificate. Check name + passport number + date of birth before leaving the police office.
2. ❌ Forgetting the UAE Embassy stamp. Without it, the paper is useless. Don't believe anyone who says "MoFA alone is enough."
3. ❌ Translating it yourself. Only Ministry of Justice-approved legal translators are accepted.
4. ❌ Giving a photocopy. The original + QR code is what Tadbeer needs.
5. ❌ Paying an unlicensed broker. Only MOHRE-licensed agencies at home and Tadbeer centres in UAE. Anyone else is illegal — you will lose your money.
6. ❌ Sitting on the paper. The 3-month clock starts from the issue date. Move fast.
7. ❌ Throwing away receipts. By UAE law, the sponsor must reimburse you — keep every receipt.
8. ❌ Using an old PCC from a previous UAE job. Each new visa needs a fresh certificate.
9. ❌ Hiding a previous case. It will show on the PCC. Hiding it = ban + deportation when discovered later.

🏠 A Short Note for the Sponsor (Madam / Sir)

If you are the UAE family hiring the worker, here is what the new MOHRE rule means for you:

✅ You do NOT need a police clearance for yourself. The rule is only on the worker.

✅ Your usual sponsor papers stay the same:

• Emirates ID (original + copy)
• Passport (original + copy)
• Salary certificate (minimum AED 25,000/month for expat sponsors)
• Tenancy contract (Ejari)
• Insurance policy

✅ Your role in the worker's PCC process:

• Pay the worker's PCC fees (your responsibility by UAE law)
• Send the worker's contract draft so the UAE Embassy abroad accepts the application
• Use only a MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre — never an unlicensed broker

✅ Ask your Tadbeer centre these three questions:

1. "Is the worker's PCC ready and attested by the UAE Embassy in her country?"
2. "What is the issue date?" (must be less than 3 months old)
3. "Has MOFAIC stamped it in Dubai?"

If your Tadbeer centre cannot answer these three questions clearly — change Tadbeer. We at GCC Domestic verify every Tadbeer centre on our platform before recommending. Message us if you need help.

How GCC Domestic Helps You Through the PCC Process

We don't issue PCCs (only governments do). But we make the process easier:

🇦🇪 Browse 134+ verified Tadbeer centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE — all of which handle PCC paperwork for the worker as part of the visa package. → /agencies?country=uae

🤖 Hayat — your AI domestic helper answers PCC questions in native Gulf Arabic on WhatsApp, free, 24/7. Ask things like "How long does Indonesian SKCK take?" or "Which emirate is fastest for local PCC?" → /en/hayat/

📜 Free worker advice on WhatsApp — Nadia handles general "how do I apply" questions. Worker- and family-friendly tone.

⚖️ Compliance-first listings — every agency on our platform is cross-verified against MOHRE's establishment search. Hire safely, with the right paperwork from day one.

How This Affects the Hiring Timeline

If you're bringing a domestic worker from one of the 16 affected nationalities, add the PCC step into your timeline:

Week 0:   Choose worker → sign Tadbeer pre-contract
Week 1:   Worker applies for PCC in home country
Week 2:   PCC issued + UAE Embassy attestation
Week 3:   Documents arrive in UAE
Week 4:   MOFAIC UAE attestation + MOHRE entry permit
Week 5:   Worker travels → arrives in UAE
Week 6:   Local medical, EID, residence stamping

Compared to the previous 3-week timeline for non-PCC nationalities, hiring from PCC-required countries adds 2 – 3 extra weeks. Plan accordingly.

For UAE-internal transfers (worker already in UAE), the PCC adds just 2 – 5 days because it's all online + same-emirate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Police Clearance Certificate really mandatory for UAE domestic workers in 2026?

Yes — but only for new visa applicants from the 16 specified nationalities (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Nepal, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Iraq, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, Bhutan, Mexico, Afghanistan). Workers already on valid UAE residence visas are not affected. The rule was introduced by MOHRE and MOI in April 2026.

Does the sponsor (madam) also need a police clearance?

No. The new MOHRE rule applies only to the worker. The sponsor's papers stay the same — Emirates ID, passport, salary certificate, Ejari, insurance.

Can the Tadbeer centre get the PCC for my worker?

Most reputable Tadbeer centres coordinate the home-country PCC through their partner agencies in the source country. They typically include attestation fees in the total visa package. Confirm in writing before paying.

How much does a UAE-issued Police Clearance Certificate cost in 2026?

Inside Dubai: AED 220 via Dubai Police app · Inside Abu Dhabi: AED 100 via TAMM · Other emirates / federal MOI: AED 50 – 150. Cheapest and fastest is Abu Dhabi.

How long is a Police Clearance Certificate valid in the UAE?

UAE-issued PCCs are valid for 3 months from issue. Foreign PCCs typically have 6-month validity (Egyptian PCCs are shorter — 3 – 6 months). Plan visa submission within the validity window.

Do I need a PCC for a Filipina maid?

No — not the UAE MOHRE PCC. The Philippines is not on the 16-nationality list. But every Filipina worker still needs her NBI Clearance — the Philippines' own police clearance — as part of standard DMW (formerly POEA) pre-departure documentation. See the Filipina / NBI section above for how to get it.

Do I need a PCC for an Indian or Bangladeshi maid?

No. Neither India nor Bangladesh is on the affected list as of May 2026. The list is reviewed quarterly — confirm with your Tadbeer centre at the time of hiring.

What if my worker's home-country PCC takes too long?

Some applicants apply for a UAE entry visa first (visit visa), travel to the UAE, then apply for the PCC locally inside the UAE. This is faster but requires the entry visa class to allow conversion to residence — confirm with your Tadbeer centre before pursuing this path.

Is the UAE Embassy attestation in my home country required?

Yes — for foreign PCCs only. The PCC must be attested by the UAE Embassy/Consulate in the issuing country, then by MOFAIC inside the UAE. Without both stamps, MOHRE will reject the document.

What's the difference between a PCC and a Good Conduct Certificate?

They are the same document under two different names. UAE government materials use "Good Conduct Certificate" (شهادة حسن السيرة والسلوك) interchangeably with "Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)."

My worker had a minor traffic violation 5 years ago — will the PCC be rejected?

Minor traffic offenses (parking, speeding) typically do not appear on PCCs and don't affect the visa. Major offenses, fraud, or violence will be flagged.

A Final Word

The April 2026 PCC rule is not a hurdle — it is a trust upgrade for the UAE domestic-work sector. It protects families. It protects workers. It brings the system in line with international standards.

The two paths are clear:

• Inside the UAE → MOI Smart Services → certificate in minutes → AED 50 – 220.
• Outside the UAE → Home police → MoFA → UAE Embassy → MOFAIC in UAE → USD 200 – 400.

The most important rule for both worker and sponsor: start through a verified, MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centre. Everything else falls into place once the right agency is on the file.

If you'd like help finding one — that's exactly what GCC Domestic exists for.

📱 WhatsApp Nadia: +971 55 663 5189 🌐 gccdomestic.com — The Gulf's largest platform for domestic workers.

May your journey be easy. 🌸

Sources & References

• UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP)
• Dubai Police Good Conduct Certificate Service
• Abu Dhabi Government Services Hub (TAMM)
• UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Attestation Service
• UAE Pass Federal Services
• How to Hire a Maid in Dubai 2026
• UAE Domestic Worker Scam Warning 2026
• Federal Decree-Law 9 of 2022 (Domestic Workers)

Last updated: May 2026. Verified against MOHRE and Dubai Police published rules. Next review: August 2026.