Ghana-UAE jobs: New police clearance rule introduced for workers seeking employment visas

Ghanaians seeking employment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will now have to provide a police clearance certificate before they can obtain work visas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the new requirement follows a decision by UAE authorities requiring all foreign nationals applying for employment visas to obtain a Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

The measure affects all categories of workers applying for UAE employment visas from Ghana.

The first phase of the policy took effect on 30 March 2026, covering workers applying for employment visas from Ghana.

A second phase, which began on 20 July 2026, extends the requirement to workers already arriving in the UAE.

The ministry said the certificate must be authenticated by both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and the UAE Embassy in Accra before it will be accepted by UAE authorities.

Why the new requirement matters

The UAE has long been one of the most popular destinations for Ghanaian workers, particularly in sectors such as security, hospitality, construction, healthcare and domestic services.

The new rule means prospective workers may need to factor in additional time and costs before travelling, as obtaining and authenticating the certificate will become part of the visa process.

The Foreign Ministry has advised Ghanaians intending to seek employment in the UAE to comply with the new requirement to avoid delays in their applications.

Grace period for Ghanaians already in UAE

Ghanaians currently in the UAE on visit visas who want to change their status to employment visas have been given a 45-day grace period from the effective date of the decision to regularise their immigration status.

The ministry said it will continue working with the UAE Embassy in Accra to support the implementation of the new measures.