UAE govt makes 'character certificate' mandatory for expatriates applying for work permit

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

United Arab Emirates has made it mandatory for expatriates seeking jobs in the UAE to first obtain a certificate of good conduct before applying for a work permit, GulfNews reported on Monday.

The certificate would be issued by either the home country or the country where the candidate has lived for five years. The new regulations will take effect from February 4, 2018, a UAE government body announced.

As per the new rules, the certificate must then be attested by the UAE diplomatic missions or oversees Customer Happiness Centres at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The official news agency WAM reported that the UAE Coordination Committee, which consists of members representing relevant UAE government bodies, said the move comes as part of efforts to create a safer society.

The committee, however, made it clear that the certificate would not be required from those who come to the country on a visit or tourist visa.

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Husain

Jan 09, 2018 12:27am

Let's see if Nawaz still qualifies for Aqamma.

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Hassan (Karachi)

Jan 09, 2018 12:41am

Sadly UAE is not aware how things work in 3rd world nations. To us its basically, shelf out 1000-5000 Rs to make a fake report.

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saqib ghumman

Jan 09, 2018 12:45am

Good move, thats called DBS (crimnal record) in civilized world where one can not get a cleaner job without the certificate..

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SABER

Jan 09, 2018 12:54am

So, majority of Pakistani politicians will be banned..Zardari, Nawaz, Dar etc etc

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MONIER

Jan 09, 2018 01:21am

Pakistan should make the same law for UAE citizens coming for hunting trips and vacations to Pakistan.

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Farukh

Jan 09, 2018 01:38am

Faier enougth

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Shifu

Jan 09, 2018 01:48am

Who will decide the character? Common this is ridiculous.

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tuglaq

Jan 09, 2018 01:56am

Nor sure which department in US gives a good conduct certificate! Or do you just get it from someone you know?

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zorro

Jan 09, 2018 02:28am

Considering the current conditions, I think this is a justifiable requirement.

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Zak

Jan 09, 2018 02:54am

This should be applicable for new expatriates applying from 4th January 2018, not for those in the country already.

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Najum

Jan 09, 2018 03:10am

The madness of the Arabs just never ends.

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Jan 09, 2018 03:17am

What is considered a Good Conduct ? Any definition?

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Superman

Jan 09, 2018 03:30am

How will our labourers work

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Sheraz Ali

Jan 09, 2018 03:55am

Dont make life miserable for hard working asian people wants to come to UAE for work.... if the rules are too much then no one wants to come then who will clean toilets in malls, airports and do house hold for uae elites

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L.Ahmad

Jan 09, 2018 03:57am

Most Pakistani & Indians would fail the 'character' test.

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Abdulla

Jan 09, 2018 04:11am

Afew more hundred dirhams for the poor Sheiks.... whilst the world becomes generous our exemplary brethrens become more greedier.... May The almighty guide them & forgive them...

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deepur

Jan 09, 2018 04:41am

Another way to make money by politician and thier cronies

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Asad Rizvi

Jan 09, 2018 05:19am

Since the government is heavily dependent on Remittances, in National interest it has to make sure that those applying/offered jobs in UAE gets caracter certificate with comfort. The economy cannot afford delay that can be caused due to bad management. Foreign office is requested to coordinate with the interior ministry on urgent basis, as the matter is of serious nature. Ministry of Finance & SBP too is required to be vigilant.

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Crazyworld

Jan 09, 2018 06:42am

Is a character certificate also necessary for emiratis wanting to hire foreign workers considering their abysmal record in following basic tenets of humanity - respect for others and empathy

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Farooq Khan

Jan 09, 2018 07:07am

Good

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MYRESPONSE

Jan 09, 2018 07:43am

Who has the authority to issue character certificate acceptable to the UAE Immigration Department and the Ministry of Labor.

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Karachi Walla

Jan 09, 2018 09:57am

And who will issue character certificates when UAE national travel out of their respective emirates.

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Zak

Jan 09, 2018 12:25pm

@Asad Rizvi ...you are right. NADRA should be ready to respond within few days.

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Zak

Jan 09, 2018 12:32pm

Government cannot give character certificate, as they do not know personal circumstances or character of a person, like he/she has made fraudulent claims in court, domestic violence, etc. Only thing they can comment on is that person has no criminal record or he/she has one. Rather a meaningless exercise, but it will add revenue for foreign and interior ministry of UAE.

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Zeillie

Jan 10, 2018 07:12am

I live in uae for more than 6 years. Now im already 1 year in my country My papers are for processing together with my dubai police clearance... Now my local agency here in philippines asking me to take a local police clearance.. Do i still need it.. What is the sense of my dubai police clearnce then.

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Desi American

Jan 10, 2018 08:00am

Most of you here misunderstood this thing, in other words its call criminal record , Someone asked how you get that in the USA follow these steps, Go to local police station have them finger print you, send the finger print card to FBI , once you get it then send it to US department of state for authentication of the document and it cost $8.00 ,next take that to UAE consulate in the US have them do the authentication and finally mail that to UAE DUBAI or Abu Dhabi address. For Pakistan : got no clue, there is no such a thing unless the Police station could issue some kind of paper with lots of stamps and signatures. Shortly saying it going to complicate life for the poor South asian people . and I feel bad for them.

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