Ghanaians applying for jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate before their work visa applications can be processed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
The new requirement, according to the ministry, follows an official notification from the UAE Embassy in Accra and forms part of revised UAE immigration rules for foreign workers.
In a statement issued on August 4, 2026, the Ministry said the directive is based on two UAE regulations issued this year, which indicate that all applicants for UAE employment visas must obtain a Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate.
The Ministry said the requirement is being rolled out in two phases. The first phase, which began on March 30, 2026, covers all workers applying for employment visas from Ghana.
The second phase, which took effect on July 20, 2026, extends the requirement to all workers already in the UAE.
The statement stressed that the Police Clearance Certificate must be authenticated by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Accra before UAE authorities will accept it.
The Ministry also announced a 45-day grace period, running from the date the directive took effect, for Ghanaians currently in the UAE on visit visas who want to switch to work visas. This gives affected persons time to regularise their status.
The Ministry advised Ghanaians planning to work in the UAE to take note of the new requirement and comply with it, adding that it would work with the UAE Embassy in Accra to support the rollout.
