Abu dhabi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Ghanaians applying for employment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must now obtain a Good Conduct Certificate before they can secure work visas. The new requirement follows a directive from the UAE Embassy in Accra and instructions from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
According to Ghana Web, the Ministry stated in a release dated August 4, 2026, that the Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate, is now mandatory for all categories of workers applying for employment visas in the UAE. The implementation of this requirement has been rolled out in two stages. The first phase, effective from March 30, 2026, targeted workers applying for employment visas from Ghana. The second phase, which began on July 20, 2026, extended the requirement to all workers entering the UAE.
The Ministry further explained that applicants must have their certificates authenticated by Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Accra before submission to UAE authorities. Additionally, Ghanaians currently in the UAE on visit visas, who wish to change their status to employment visas, have been granted a 45-day grace period from the decision's effective date to regularize their stay.
The Ministry emphasized its cooperation with the UAE Embassy to ensure a smooth implementation of the new visa requirement. Ghanaians planning to seek employment in the UAE have been advised to take note of the new procedures to avoid any complications in their visa applications.