Ghana Requires Police Clearance for All UAE Work Visa Applicants

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that all Ghanaian citizens applying for employment visas to the United Arab Emirates must now submit a Good Conduct Certificate, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). The requirement follows UAE Cabinet Decision No. 1/36 of 2026 and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship decision of the same year.

Implementation was staged in two phases. Phase 1 took effect on 30 March 2026, covering all categories of workers applying for UAE work visas from Ghana. Phase 2 began on 20 July 2026, extending the requirement to Ghanaian workers already residing in the UAE. Ghanaians on visit visas who wish to convert to work visas have a 45‑day grace period to obtain and authenticate the certificate through the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in Accra.

The ministry urged applicants to rely on official sources for guidance. The new measure aims to strengthen background verification for the large number of Ghanaian migrant workers employed in the UAE’s hospitality, construction, domestic and service sectors.