UAE Work Visa for Pakistani 2026: Police Certificate Steps

Quick answer: If you are a Pakistani applying for a UAE work visa, you need a police character certificate (also called a good conduct certificate). According to a Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) advisory, it is mandatory for all Pakistani employment visa applicants from 20 July 2026. Get the certificate from your provincial or Islamabad police, have it attested by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and then by the UAE Embassy. Do all three steps before your employer files your visa.

This guide covers the full route from a job offer to an Emirates ID. It explains how to get and attest the certificate in each province, what the UAE side of the process looks like, and how to avoid the agents and fake offers that target Gulf job seekers.

What changed in 2026

The UAE first made a character certificate compulsory for foreign workers in February 2018. BE&OE published a notice on this at the time. In late July 2026, Pakistani media reported a fresh BE&OE advisory. It said the police character certificate is now mandatory for every Pakistani applying for a UAE employment visa, effective 20 July 2026. It must be attested by the UAE Embassy in Pakistan before you submit the visa application.

Who it applies to: Pakistani nationals applying for a UAE employment (work) visa.
What you need: an original police character certificate, attested first by MOFA Pakistan and then by the UAE Embassy.
When to get it: before your employer starts the visa. BE&OE has advised applicants and licensed overseas employment promoters (OEPs) to finish this early, because missing paperwork can delay or derail the application.
Exemptions: BE&OE's 2018 notice said the rule did not cover dependants, people already living in the UAE who change jobs there, or visit, tourist and student visas. The 2026 reports do not say clearly whether those exemptions still apply, so confirm with your employer or OEP.

Step-by-step: police character certificate for the UAE

Apply to the police in your province. The issuing office depends on where you live (see the list below). Use your original CNIC and passport. Say clearly that the certificate is for UAE employment.
Check the signature before you leave. MOFA attests police documents signed and stamped by the District Police Officer (DPO), or by the Political Agent in former tribal areas. A certificate without the right signature may be refused at MOFA.
Attest it at MOFA Pakistan. Take the original, a photocopy and your original CNIC to MOFA in Islamabad or a Foreign Affairs camp office in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar or Quetta. They are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. MOFA charges no attestation fee, but you must paste the required revenue stamps. Documents must be in English or Urdu.
Attest it for the UAE. The UAE Embassy in Islamabad now runs digital attestation through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You sign in with UAE PASS, choose Pakistan as the issuing country, apply and pay online. An approved courier then collects your MOFA-attested original. You get a digitally attested copy by email, and your original is returned. Older BE&OE guidance also names service providers such as Gerry's and Sasha International. Check the current route on the embassy's page before you pay.
Send it to your employer. Share the attested certificate with your employer or OEP. Keep the original and the attestation reference number safe. Anyone can check a UAE attestation at verify.mofa.gov.ae.

Already in the UAE? BE&OE's guidance says you can get the Pakistani police certificate, have it attested by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General in Dubai, and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Where to apply in each province

Punjab: any Police Khidmat Markaz (PKM) centre. You do not have to use one in your home district.
Islamabad: Islamabad Police character certificate service.
Sindh: Sindh Police online verification portal.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: KP Police, including the former FATA districts. You may have to visit the SSP office.
Balochistan: Balochistan Police Khidmat Markaz portal.

Fees and processing times are set by each police service and change often, so check the official page before you apply. In August 2026 the federal government approved, in principle, a single nationwide online police certificate system run through the National Police Bureau. Until a launch is announced, use your provincial service.

The rest of the UAE work visa process

The certificate is only one part of the process. Your UAE employer sponsors the visa and does most of the filing:

Job offer and contract: from a real UAE employer. Read the salary, hours, accommodation and leave terms before you sign.
Work permit: the employer applies through the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Protector of Emigrants (Pakistan side): before you fly, register with BE&OE and get the protector stamp or sticker, either directly or through a licensed OEP. See our protector fee guide for the current charges.
Entry permit: once the work permit is approved, you get an entry permit and must enter the UAE within 60 days.
Medical fitness test: at an authorised centre in the UAE, usually a blood test and chest X-ray.
Residence visa and Emirates ID: the employer applies for the residence visa after the medical, then you give biometrics for your Emirates ID. In Dubai a standard work residence visa is valid for two years and can be renewed. You also need health insurance.

Documents checklist

Valid passport, plus copies of its data pages
Original CNIC
Police character certificate attested by MOFA and the UAE Embassy
Signed offer letter or employment contract
Educational and experience certificates (attested if your job or employer needs them)
Passport-size photographs to the employer's specification
BE&OE protector registration and fee receipts

Avoid fake UAE job offers and agents

Use only BE&OE-licensed OEPs. You can check a promoter's licence on the BE&OE website, and the state-run Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) also lists Gulf vacancies.
Never pay cash, and never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed visa". Pay official fees through banks or approved channels and keep receipts.
Don't travel on a visit visa to look for work on the promise of a later conversion. Work in the UAE needs an employer-sponsored work permit.
Be wary of anyone selling ready-made or "fast-track" police certificates. A forged certificate can lead to visa refusal and a ban.

Frequently asked questions

Is a police character certificate mandatory for a UAE work visa from Pakistan?

Yes. A BE&OE advisory reported in July 2026 says it is mandatory for all Pakistani UAE employment visa applicants from 20 July 2026. It must be attested by the UAE Embassy before the visa is filed.

Who attests the police certificate for the UAE?

MOFA Pakistan attests it first, at Islamabad or a camp office in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar or Quetta. Then the UAE Embassy attests it, through its digital attestation service.

Does MOFA charge a fee for attestation?

MOFA says it charges no attestation fee, but revenue stamps are required. The UAE side charges a fee, which you pay online when you apply.

Do family members on a dependant visa need it?

BE&OE's 2018 guidance said dependants were exempt. The 2026 advisory refers to employment visa applicants, so dependants are probably not covered. Confirm with your sponsor before you apply.

How long does the whole process take?

Police processing time varies by province. MOFA attestation is often finished the same day, and UAE digital attestation plus courier delivery takes a few working days. Allow at least one to two weeks for the certificate before your employer files the visa.

Next steps

Ready to apply? Browse current jobs in Dubai and jobs in Pakistan on Jobsiz. Update your CV with our CV format guide. Comparing Gulf options? Read our guides to the Saudi work visa and Oman work visa for Pakistanis.

Sources

Updated 27 October 2026 by the Jobsiz Editorial Team. Visa rules change often. Check with BE&OE, MOFA and your employer before you apply.

UAE Work Visa for Pakistanis 2026: Police Certificate Guide