On 4 August 2026 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public statement, following formal notice from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Accra, confirming a new documentary requirement for Ghanaians seeking employment in the UAE. The requirement flows from UAE Cabinet Decision No. 1/36 of 2026 and Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship Decision No. 1/36 of 2026.
The requirement
All Ghanaian applicants for UAE employment visas must present a Good Conduct Certificate — in Ghanaian terms, a Police Clearance Certificate — as part of the application. The measure was introduced in two phases. From 30 March 2026 it applied to all worker categories applying for employment visas from Ghana. From 20 July 2026 it was extended to all worker categories arriving in, or already present in, the UAE. Ghanaians already in the UAE on visit visas who wished to convert to employment status were given a 45-day grace period from the date the directive took effect.
The three-step chain
The certificate is only accepted by the UAE authorities once it has passed through three stages, in order. First, the certificate is obtained from the Ghana Police Service by the applicant personally. Second, it is authenticated by Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Third, it is legalised by the Embassy of the UAE in Accra. A certificate that skips the second or third stage will not be recognised, and the employment visa cannot be finalised until a compliant certificate is produced.
What it does not cover
The Ministry's statement addresses employment visas and changes of status from visit to work. It does not impose the requirement on tourist or visit visas. Anyone intending to travel on a visit visa and seek employment after arrival should understand that the conversion of status now requires the same authenticated certificate, and that the grace period for people already in the UAE has passed.
A note on agents
The certificate is issued to the individual on the basis of their own attendance and biometrics. An agent who offers to "handle the police clearance" as part of a packaged job offer, without the applicant attending the Police Service, is either misinformed or selling something else. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has separately warned, in July 2026, about fraudulent overseas job offers demanding large upfront fees. Verify the employer, verify the offer, and obtain the certificate yourself.
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana — public statement of 4 August 2026 (as reported)
- Graphic Online — Police clearance now required for Ghanaians applying for UAE work visas
- Citi Newsroom — Ghanaians seeking UAE jobs must obtain police clearance certificate
- MyJoyOnline — UAE introduces police clearance requirement for Ghanaians seeking employment visas
West Side Travel Ltd is a private travel document advisory consultancy and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government department, embassy, consulate or visa-issuing authority. The above is drawn from official published sources and is general information only; requirements change and every application turns on its own facts. Talk to us before you file.