Fingerprints in Abu Dhabi
You may be requested to obtain a police clearance while abroad. You can obtain a U.S. police clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) or through your city or county law enforcement agency. In both cases, the clearance will be run against the National Crime Information Center, which contains all federal, state and local criminal information.
Important Note: The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi does not provide fingerprinting services and strongly recommends that you obtain a U.S. police clearance prior to traveling overseas if one is necessary.
Naturalization and Adoption
The U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi does not have a USCIS office and does not typically capture fingerprints for naturalization. If you qualify for naturalization, or you have adopted a child, and you are unable to travel back to the United States, you should contact USCIS to request alternative options.
How to obtain fingerprints in Abu Dhabi:
- Fingerprints can be taken by the Ministry of Interior, located at Abu Dhabi st1(opposite to Mediclinic Hospital – previously Alnoor Hospital on Airport road) – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
- Fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-258) commonly used for applicant or law enforcement purposes. The FBI will accept FD-258 fingerprint cards on standard white paper stock
Fingerprints in Dubai
The U.S. Consulate General Dubai does not issue Certificates of Good Conduct. Instead, you will need to apply for an Identity History Summary Check directly through the FBI. For more information on how to initiate an Identity History Summary Check, please visit the following website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/criminal-record-checks.html
The FBI will require fingerprints for this purpose; the Consulate does not provide this service. The Dubai Police will generally take fingerprints at their headquarters. You may reach the Dubai Police Headquarters’ Fingerprint Division at +971 04 609 6841 and +971 04 609 6843. More information is available on the Dubai Police website. Please be sure to bring your ID card and passport with you. For more information on the FBI’s requirements for fingerprint card submissions, including the option to print out the FBI’s standard FD-258 cards, please see the FBI’s Fingerprints and Biometrics website.
The UAE government requires the Identity History Summary Check to be authenticated. Applicants must request a certified copy of their Identity History Summary Check from the FBI so that it can be authenticated by the Department of State’s Office of Authentications, the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., and finally the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai. A list of companies in Dubai who will perform this entire service on your behalf can be found here under the “Authentications/Attestations of Documents” tab.
To assist U.S. citizens who have questions about the Certificate of Good Conduct requirement, our office has confirmed the following details with UAE officials:
- The certificate requirement applies to all new employment-based residency permit applications. It does not apply to renewals of existing permits.
- The certificate is only required for the principal residency permit applicant. Certificates are not required for spouses and children.
- A certificate will be required from every country in which the applicant has resided during the previous five years. For more information on how to obtain certificates from other countries, please visit the Department of State’s webpage on Reciprocity and Civil Documents.
- The certificate must be issued within three months of the application for the residency permit.
- The certificate must be authenticated by the UAE embassy in the country that issued the certificate and subsequently authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can find more information on the authentication process on our website.
- Students are exempted from the certificate requirement.
For further information regarding UAE residency permit requirements, please contact the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs directly.
The U.S. Consulate General only offers fingerprinting services in conjunction with applications or petitions for certain immigration benefits from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as green cards, adoption, or naturalization. If you require fingerprints for one of these purposes, please reply to this message and attach a copy of the USCIS notice instructing you to appear at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas for fingerprinting. Only after receiving this notice will we be able to schedule an appointment date for you.
If you require fingerprints for any other purpose, including a local police check or for other employment or school purposes, you may request them from the Dubai Police at Dubai DXB Airport Gate 3 (staff entrance) from 0700-1200, Sunday to Thursday. The requirements are as follows:
- Must provide a proof of residence i.e. Emirates ID and valid U.S. Passport
- FBI Fingerprint form – you must bring this; they are not available at the fingerprinting facility
- Fingerprinting fee of 110 Dirhams. Cash only, and exact change required
The completed fingerprints will be ready to pick up on the following business day. Please note, parking is not available in the area. The nearest parking lot is about 10 minutes walking (one way). Directions are as follows:
Direction: https://maps.google.com/?q=25.270355,55.351139
Driving Directions:
- Take Sheikh Zayed Road/Al Sharjah (toward Dubai Airport)
- Take exit 62 toward Hor Al Anz East/Al Wuheida/D91/Al Twar/DXB Airport
Terminal 2 - About 350 meters, slight right
- About 110 meters, turn right
- About 550 meters the building on the right for fingerprinting.
The U.S. Consulate and the fingerprint facility do not have fingerprint cards available. If you do not have fingerprint cards, you may be able to obtain cards from the FBI. For more information on the FBI’s requirements for fingerprint card submissions, including the option to print out the FBI’s standard FD-258 cards, please see the FBI’s Fingerprints and Biometrics website.
Some U.S. states may require you to notarize your signature on the fingerprint card. A Consular Officer can notarize your signature at the Consulate; please make an appointment online for a notary service. In a small number of cases, the U.S. state or agency or company requiring the fingerprints will ask you to have the signature or seal of the Dubai Police on your cards authenticated or “legalized” by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please visit the Ministry’s Consular Services website for more information and to make an appointment. Following this step, if required, you may then bring the authenticated document to the U.S. Consulate for final authentication.