The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced a new requirement for Ghanaians seeking employment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making it mandatory for applicants to obtain a Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), before securing work visas.
In a public announcement issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Ministry said it had received official notification from the UAE Embassy in Accra regarding the implementation of the new requirement.
According to the Ministry, the measure is based on UAE Cabinet Decision No. 1/36 of 2026 and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship Decision No. 1/36 of 2026, which require all applicants for employment visas to the UAE to submit a Good Conduct Certificate.
The Ministry stated that the policy is being implemented in two phases.
The first phase took effect on March 30, 2026, and applies to all categories of workers applying for employment visas from Ghana. The second phase came into force on July 20, 2026, extending the requirement to all categories of workers already residing in the UAE.
The Ministry explained that the Good Conduct Certificate is an additional requirement for employment visa applications and must be authenticated by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Accra before it will be accepted by the UAE authorities.
It further noted that Ghanaians currently residing in the UAE on visit visas who intend to convert their status to work visas have been granted a 45-day grace period from the effective date of the decision to regularise their immigration status.
The Ministry advised Ghanaians planning to seek employment opportunities in the UAE to take note of the new requirement and ensure compliance to avoid delays in processing their visa applications.
It also urged prospective applicants to rely only on official sources for information and encouraged members of the public to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Police Service, or the UAE Embassy in Accra for further clarification where necessary.
The UAE remains one of the leading destinations for Ghanaian migrant workers, particularly in the hospitality, construction, domestic work, and service sectors. The new requirement is expected to strengthen background verification processes for foreign workers entering the Gulf nation.
