UAE Rolls Out Phase 2 of Police Clearance Certificate Requirement for Employment Visas from 45 Countries, Effective August 15

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security announced that Phase 2 of the police clearance certificate requirement for employment visa applicants will take effect on August 15, 2026, adding Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines, and eight other nationalities to the list of countries whose citizens must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate before applying for a UAE work visa. The requirement, also known as a Good Conduct Certificate, mandates that applicants from designated countries demonstrate they have no criminal record in their home jurisdiction. The policy was first introduced in April 2026 and initially applied to 16 countries; the August 15 expansion brings the total to 45 countries covered by the phased rollout. According to reporting by VisasUpdate on August 8, the policy has spread through internal advisories rather than a single public announcement, meaning many applicants learn of the requirement only when their visa applications are rejected. The ICP's phased approach reflects a risk-based strategy to screen employment visa flows while managing administrative capacity and diplomatic sensitivities. For affected workers, the new requirement adds processing time and cost, as certificates must be obtained from home-country police or judicial authorities before travel. The policy has implications for labor-intensive sectors in Dubai and across the UAE, where large expatriate workforces from South Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia form the backbone of construction, hospitality, and services industries. Employers and recruitment agencies are being advised to inform candidates early in the hiring process to avoid delays.