Do You Need a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from United Arab Emirates?

If you are living in United Arab Emirates and have previously lived, worked, or studied in Canada, you may need a Canadian RCMP Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) or a Canadian Criminal Record Check. This guide explains exactly who needs one, why, and the complete step-by-step process for getting it done from United Arab Emirates — without travelling to Canada.

Why Would Someone in United Arab Emirates Need a Canadian RCMP PCC?

A Canadian RCMP Police Clearance Certificate is an official document showing your Canadian criminal record — or confirming that no record exists. It is required in several situations:

• Canadian Immigration (IRCC): If you are applying for Canadian Permanent Residency, citizenship, or certain work or study visas and have previously lived in Canada, IRCC requires an RCMP PCC as part of your application.
• Immigration to a third country: If you are immigrating to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or other countries and have a history of living in Canada, those countries require a Canadian police clearance as part of their character check requirements.
• Employment background checks: Many regulated industries — healthcare, education, finance, government, and security — require a Canadian background check if you have worked or lived in Canada.
• Visa applications: Some countries require a police clearance from every country you have lived in for 6 months or more in the past 10 years.

Specific to United Arab Emirates: The UAE hosts one of the largest communities of former Canadian residents. South Asian expatriates who lived in Canada and are now working in the UAE frequently need RCMP PCCs for iqama renewals, Canadian immigration processing, and employment background checks.

How the RCMP Card Scan Process Works from United Arab Emirates

Because electronic fingerprint submission to the RCMP is only available from within Canada, people outside Canada must use the card scan method — you have your ink fingerprints taken in United Arab Emirates, mail the original card to an RCMP accredited agency in Canada, and they submit it electronically to the RCMP on your behalf.

Getting Your Fingerprints Taken in United Arab Emirates

Visit an AMER Centre or a General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) office in Dubai, or the Abu Dhabi Residence Office (ADRO), to request ink fingerprinting for a Canadian government (RCMP) background check. Local police stations (shurta) in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates also assist. Bring your Emirates ID and passport. The officer must stamp the card with the official government seal and sign it.

What to Send Us — Complete Checklist

Critical Rules — Avoid Rejection

• Black ink only — no blue, red, or other colours
• All ten fingers rolled individually from nail edge to nail edge — partial impressions are rejected
• Flat impressions required — four fingers flat together for each hand, and both thumbs in the designated boxes
• All personal information fields must be completed — cards with blank required fields are returned unprocessed
• Official stamp and signature required — the fingerprinting officer must stamp with their agency’s official seal and sign the card
• Do not sign the card before your appointment — your signature must be witnessed by the official
• Do not photocopy the card after fingerprinting — only original cards with original ink are accepted