Can a criminal record be cleared?
Yes, through rehabilitation under the Federal Law No. 5 of 2022 (Rehabilitation). Every person convicted of a misdemeanour or felony may be rehabilitated under the law (Article 2). There are two kinds: legal rehabilitation and judicial rehabilitation (Article 3).
Rehabilitation ends all criminal effects of the conviction for the future and ends the consequences involving lack of legal capacity and deprivation of rights (Article 13). It does not affect the rights of third parties, such as refunds and compensation (Article 14).
How long does it take?
Legal rehabilitation is issued by the Public Prosecution for a non-peace-disturbing misdemeanour once the sentence has been executed or pardoned. For a recidivist or a penalty that lapsed by limitation, it follows six months after execution, pardon or lapse (Article 4).
Judicial rehabilitation is by court judgment after: six months for non-peace-disturbing felonies, one year for misdemeanours and felonies that disturb the peace or involve moral turpitude or breach of trust, and two years for felonies affecting State security. The periods double for recidivism or limitation (Article 5).
What are the conditions?
The applicant must meet financial obligations to the State and individuals unless unable to, must satisfy the conditions for each judgment if there are several, and must be residing in the UAE when applying (Article 7).
The application goes to the Public Prosecution where the applicant lives, with identification, residence history and the judgment and proof it was served, lapsed or pardoned (Article 8). If rejected for reasons of conduct it can be renewed after six months (Article 10).
Which convictions need no rehabilitation?
Offences the law says are not convictions, fines and non-custodial sentences, juvenile offences, crimes with a stay of execution, crimes dealt with by penal writ, and crimes ended by penal conciliation or reconciliation (Article 15).
Article 16 provides that the Police Clearance Certificate is regulated by a ministerial resolution. Check the current requirements before you apply for jobs or visas.
What should I do first?
Get a copy of the judgment and proof of execution
Needed for the application.
Settle financial obligations
Fines and compensation.
Note the waiting period for your offence
Counted from completion or pardon.
Ask about conciliation or a stay of execution
They may avoid a record entirely.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fine create a record that needs rehabilitation?
Crimes punished by a fine or a non-custodial sentence are listed as not requiring rehabilitation (Article 15).
How long before I can apply for a felony?
Six months for non-peace-disturbing felonies, one year for those involving moral turpitude or breach of trust (Article 5).
Do I have to live in the UAE?
Yes, at the time of the application (Article 7).
Does a plea bargain create a record?
A misdemeanour plea bargain is not deemed a criminal conviction that entails rehabilitation (Article 367 of the Criminal Procedures Law).
Related guides
Dubai Criminal Law overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewCriminal Penalties
The principal, accessory and complementary penalties in the Crimes and Penalties Law, and the ranges that apply unless a specific offence says otherwise.
Read the guidePlea Bargain
How the Public Prosecution can offer a reduced sentence in exchange for acceptance or confession, what the offer can contain and your right to a lawyer.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Law No. 5 of 2022 (Rehabilitation), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active, in force from 13 March 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations. Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.