Key Takeaways
- The United Arab Emirates has mandated police character certificates for all Pakistani job seekers.
- The new requirement applies to work visa applications and came into effect on July 20, 2026.
- Applicants must obtain a good conduct certificate from Pakistan and have it attested by the UAE embassy.
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new policy requiring police character certificates for all Pakistani applicants seeking work visas. This change, which took effect on July 20, 2026, affects thousands of Pakistanis who travel to the UAE annually in search of employment opportunities.
According to officials from the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment in Islamabad, the new requirement applies universally to all Pakistani job seekers applying for UAE employment visas. The policy is designed to ensure that only individuals with a clean criminal record are granted work permits.
To comply with this new regulation, applicants must obtain a good conduct certificate from their local authority in Pakistan. This document then needs to be attested by the UAE embassy before it can be submitted as part of the visa application process. The Bureau emphasized the importance of this step in maintaining security and order within the UAE.
The move is seen as an additional layer of scrutiny for Pakistani workers, ensuring that only those with a verified good character are granted access to employment opportunities in the UAE. This requirement is expected to streamline the vetting process and reduce potential issues related to criminal backgrounds among expatriate workers.
While the new policy has been implemented, officials have assured applicants that the process remains straightforward. They encourage all job seekers to plan ahead and ensure they have all necessary documents ready before applying for a work visa. The Bureau also highlighted that this measure is part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and maintain high standards in the UAE.
The implementation of this policy has been welcomed by some, who see it as a positive step towards ensuring better working conditions and reducing potential risks associated with criminal backgrounds among expatriate workers. However, others have expressed concerns about the additional administrative burden on applicants and the potential impact on employment opportunities for Pakistani nationals.
