Ghanaians who are seeking employment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will now be required to obtain a Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), before applying for employment visas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the new requirement in a statement issued on August 4, 2026.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that it has received official notification from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Accra on the introduction of a new requirement for Ghanaian nationals seeking employment in the UAE,” the Ministry stated.

According to the Ministry, the new measure was introduced under UAE Cabinet Decision No. 1/36 of 2026 and regulations by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

The implementation of the requirement is being rolled out in two phases.

The first phase, which took effect on March 30, 2026, applies to “all worker categories applying for employment visas from Ghana.”

The second phase, which commenced on July 20, 2026, extends the requirement to “all worker categories arriving in the UAE.”

The Ministry explained that the Good Conduct Certificate is an additional requirement for employment visa applications.

“The Good Conduct Certificate constitutes an additional requirement for employment visa applications and must be duly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and the Embassy of the UAE in Accra before it can be accepted by the UAE authorities,” it said.

The Ministry also addressed Ghanaians currently in the UAE on visit visas who intend to change their status to work visas.

“Ghanaians who are currently in the UAE on visit visas and intend to convert their status to work visas have been granted a forty-five (45)-day grace period from the effective date of the decision to regularise their immigration status,” the statement noted.

The Ministry urged prospective applicants to take note of the new requirement and ensure compliance before making employment visa applications.

“The Ministry urges members of the public to seek further clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Police Service, or the Embassy of the UAE in Accra, where necessary,” it added.

See the full statement below:



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