PCC Translation for Entry Permit Applications

In April 2026, ICP introduced a new requirement: applicants from 16 nationalities must submit a police clearance certificate as part of their UAE entry permit application. The requirement applies to new entry permits processed through the Northern Emirates.

The 16 Affected Nationalities

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.

If you hold a passport from one of these countries and are applying for an entry permit, a PCC is now mandatory.

Why Translation Matters Here

Most PCCs from these countries arrive in a language other than Arabic or English:

• French: Algeria, Cameroon
• Spanish: Cuba, Mexico
• Bahasa Indonesia: Indonesia
• Sinhala: Sri Lanka
• Nepali: Nepal
• Amharic / local languages: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda
• Bulgarian: Bulgaria
• Dari / Pashto: Afghanistan

ICP processes documents in Arabic or English. If your PCC is in another language, it needs certified translation before you begin the attestation chain.

The Sequence That Most People Get Wrong

The attestation chain for a PCC going to ICP is:

1. Obtain PCC from your home country authority
2. Translate into Arabic or English (certified, by an MOJ-licensed translator)
3. UAE Embassy attestation in your home country
4. UAE MOFA attestation

Step 2 must happen before step 3. Attestation stamps apply to the document as it exists at the time of stamping. If you attest first and translate later, the translation is not covered by the attestation seal. You will need to restart.

Two Paths Depending on Your Location

Outside the UAE (or on a tourist visa inside the UAE)

You need the full chain: home country PCC → translation → UAE Embassy attestation → MOFA attestation. Plan for 2-4 weeks. Embassy processing times vary by country. Some embassies require appointments.

Inside the UAE on a cancelled residence visa

You can obtain a PCC directly from UAE authorities — Dubai Police or the Ministry of Interior. UAE-issued certificates come in Arabic and English, so no translation is needed. This is significantly faster.

What We Handle

• Pre-check: Send your PCC via WhatsApp. We confirm the language and whether translation is needed before attestation.
• Certified translation: MOJ-licensed translator produces the Arabic or English version. Same-day service available.
• Attestation guidance: We advise on the specific chain for your issuing country. Requirements differ between Hague Convention and non-Hague countries.

For HR Teams and PROs

If you sponsor staff from any of the 16 affected nationalities, every new entry permit file now requires a PCC. For employees being recruited from abroad, factor the PCC timeline into your onboarding schedule. For candidates already in the UAE on cancelled visas, the UAE-issued PCC path is faster — but confirm with your freezone authority which format they accept.

We work directly with PROs and HR departments on batch translation for multiple candidates.

Countries With Arabic-Language PCCs

Egypt, Iraq, and Algeria typically issue PCCs in Arabic. If your certificate is already in Arabic, you can skip translation and proceed to attestation. However, verify carefully — some Algerian documents include French-language sections, and some Egyptian documents from certain governorates may require review. Send us the document and we confirm in minutes.

Timeline

Start early. A delayed PCC holds up the entire entry permit application.

If you have a PCC that needs translation for an entry permit application, send it via WhatsApp. We confirm language, translate same-day, and advise on your attestation chain.