Effective 16 June 2026, applicants from 23 nationalities must submit a UAE Police Clearance Certificate (Good Conduct Certificate) as part of their UAE visa application process.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has officially introduced the first phase of its new UAE Good Conduct Certificate requirement for visa applicants from selected nationalities, marking a significant change in UAE immigration rules 2026.
For business owners, investors, employers, and entrepreneurs planning company formation in the UAE, this update to the UAE immigration rules 2026 is important because it may affect visa processing timelines for shareholders, partners, and employees.
What Is a Good Conduct Certificate?
A Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a UAE Police Clearance Certificate, is an official document issued by police or judicial authorities confirming that the applicant has no criminal record. Under the new ICP requirements, the certificate must also be attested by the relevant UAE Embassy or Consulate before it can be used for visa processing.
The introduction of the UAE Good Conduct Certificate requirement is aimed at strengthening security and enhancing compliance within the UAE immigration system.
Nationalities Affected in Phase 1
The following nationalities are included in the first implementation phase:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bhutan
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- India
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Syria
- Tonga
Several applicants will need embassy attestation in neighbouring countries where UAE diplomatic missions are located. For example, Cameroonian applicants must obtain attestation through Abuja, Nigeria, while Bhutanese applicants must complete attestation through India.
Impact on UAE Businesses
Employers recruiting staff from the affected nationalities should expect additional preparation time before visa applications can be submitted under the updated UAE immigration rules 2026.
The same applies to:
- New company shareholders
- Foreign investors
- Business partners
- Family sponsorship applicants
Obtaining, legalizing, and attesting the UAE Police Clearance Certificate can add several weeks to the process depending on the applicant’s home country.
How to Prepare
Applicants should begin obtaining their UAE Good Conduct Certificate as early as possible and ensure that embassy attestation requirements are completed before starting the UAE visa process.
Businesses should also review upcoming visa applications and workforce planning to accommodate any delays caused by the new documentation requirements.
At Netri Corporate Services Provider LLC, we recommend reviewing all planned visa applications involving affected nationalities to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure compliance with the latest UAE immigration rules 2026.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of the UAE Good Conduct Certificate and UAE Police Clearance Certificate requirement represents a major update to UAE immigration rules 2026. Investors, employers, shareholders, and visa applicants should prepare in advance to ensure smooth processing and avoid disruptions to business operations and relocation plans.
