The UAE has temporarily suspended the requirement of a good conduct certificate for employment visas across the country until further notice. An official circular confirming the decision was shared with Khaleej Times.
On March 29, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFA) sent out a letter to embassies and consulates across the UAE confirming the news of the postponement.
Under the reference: ‘The UAE suspends requesting certificates of good conduct from foreign employees’, the letter stated that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – following a “cabinet decision” – will now be suspending the issuing of certificates of good conduct for persons whom arrive in the UAE for work purposes.
It added that starting on April 1, 2018, all embassies and consulates need not request the certificate for work applicants.
Last week, there was some confusion as to whether the certificate was still mandatory or not following rumors that the certificate was no longer a requirement for job seekers from nine countries: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria.
On February 4, the government announced that newcomers to the country would need to provide a good conduct certificate or police clearance certificate before seeking a job in the UAE.
