SAPS Clearance Express
SAPS Clearance Express
A SAPS police clearance certificate is a mandatory requirement for most UAE employment and residence visa applications. The South African Police Service issues these certificates from their Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria, and the process can be time-consuming when handled independently from abroad.
Our express service covers the entire workflow: we coordinate the SAPS application, track processing at the Criminal Record Centre, collect the certificate on your behalf, and immediately route it through DIRCO, the UAE Embassy, and MOFA attestation. This end-to-end approach eliminates the delays that come from handling each step separately.
For South Africans already in the UAE who cannot provide fingerprints at a SAPS office, we advise on alternative fingerprinting arrangements and ensure your application meets all current requirements. Our Pretoria-based team monitors your clearance daily to act the moment it is ready.
Documents Required
- Completed SAPS 91(a) application form
- Full set of fingerprints taken on official SAPS fingerprint form
- Clear colour copy of your South African ID or passport
- Proof of current address (utility bill or bank statement)
- Clear colour copy of UAE visa or Emirates ID (if applicable)
- Power of Attorney authorising Green Apple Attest to collect on your behalf
Special Requirements
- • Fingerprints must be taken on the official SAPS fingerprint form. Prints on generic forms will be rejected.
- • Applicants outside South Africa must have prints taken at a South African diplomatic mission or approved facility.
How It Works
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1Submit your fingerprints and identification documents to Green Apple Attest.
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2We file your SAPS application at the Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria and track daily progress.
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3Upon issuance, we collect the clearance certificate and initiate DIRCO authentication immediately.
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4The certificate proceeds through UAE Embassy legalisation in Pretoria.
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5Final MOFA attestation is completed in the UAE and the document is delivered to you.
Insider Tips
Insider Tips
- Have your fingerprints taken at a professional fingerprinting service rather than a police station. Cleaner prints reduce the chance of rejection and resubmission at the Criminal Record Centre.
- Begin the SAPS clearance process as soon as you receive a UAE job offer. The combined SAPS issuance and authentication chain can take four to six weeks.
- If you are in the UAE, visit the South African Consulate in Dubai for fingerprinting. Book an appointment in advance as walk-ins may face long waits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard SAPS processing takes 10 to 15 working days from the date fingerprints are received at the Criminal Record Centre. Our express collection service means we pick up the certificate the day it is ready, saving additional postal delays.
Yes. You can have fingerprints taken at the South African Embassy or Consulate in the UAE, or at a licensed fingerprinting service. The prints must be on the official SAPS fingerprint form. We can provide the correct form and advise on locations near you.
UAE authorities generally accept police clearance certificates that are less than six months old from the date of issue. We recommend starting the process early but not so early that the certificate expires before your visa application is submitted.
A clearance certificate showing a record can still be authenticated. Whether it affects your UAE visa application depends on the nature and severity of the record. We recommend consulting with your UAE immigration advisor before proceeding.
Quick Facts
- Processing Time
- 8-12 business days
- Pricing From
- AED 500
- Country
- South Africa
- Delivery
- Free across the UAE
Questions About This Service?
Our specialists know South Africa requirements inside out — call or message for free guidance.
Other South Africa Services
DIRCO Full Authentication
Complete processing through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, including prior notarization and High Court verification, for all personal and educational documents.
DHA Certificate Authentication
End-to-end authentication of Department of Home Affairs certificates (birth, marriage, death) including request for unabridged versions, notarization, DIRCO processing, and UAE attestation.
South African Degree Attestation
Full attestation of university degrees and diplomas including institutional verification, SAQA evaluation coordination, notarization, DIRCO authentication, and UAE embassy legalization.
CIPC Corporate Document Service
Authentication of Companies and Intellectual Property Commission documents including company registration certificates, memoranda of incorporation, and director resolutions for UAE business setup.
Not Sure What Your Documents Need? We Are.
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish — visa, job, university, business setup — and we will map out every step. No obligations.