The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made a police character certificate mandatory for Pakistani nationals applying for employment visas, with the requirement taking effect on July 20, 2026.
Under the new rule, every Pakistani applicant seeking a UAE work visa must first obtain a Good Conduct Certificate, commonly known as a Police Character Certificate, from the relevant authority.
The document must then be formally attested by the UAE embassy in Pakistan before it can be submitted as part of the visa application.
The Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment has advised prospective applicants to secure the certificate and its attestation well in advance of filing their visa paperwork, warning that failure to do so could result in processing delays or complications at the application stage.
The Bureau has also directed licensed overseas employment promoters and recruitment agencies to ensure their clients are fully aware of the new requirement and remain in compliance with it as the UAE tightens documentation standards for incoming foreign workers.
The move adds an additional verification step to the UAE work visa process for Pakistani nationals, who make up one of the largest expatriate workforces in the Gulf state.
