The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana has informed its citizens about the introduction of new conditions for those planning to find employment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana has informed its citizens about the introduction of new conditions for those planning to find employment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the ministry's statement, these new requirements were established by a decision of the UAE Cabinet. Now, all individuals applying for work visas in the UAE are required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct, also known as a Police Clearance Certificate.
The implementation of this new requirement will occur in two stages within Ghana, and both stages are currently in effect.
The first stage came into force on March 30, 2026, and applies to all categories of workers applying for work visas from Ghana.
The second stage, which began on July 20, 2026, stipulates that this requirement will also apply to all categories of workers arriving directly in the UAE.
Furthermore, the department informed potential applicants that Ghanaian citizens currently in the UAE on visit visas who wish to change them to work visas have 45 days to meet the new conditions.
The authority urged citizens to seek assistance if they encounter any questions or problems.
A Kenyan woman who found herself in Dubai after traveling to the UAE in search of work is receiving assistance to return home with her newborn baby.
The woman arrived in the UAE hoping to find employment and support her family in Kenya. However, a number of complex circumstances prevented her from finding a job or paying for her trip home. While she was in the UAE, she gave birth to a child, which left her without housing, income, and the necessary travel documents.
She and her infant are currently residing at the Dubai Accommodation Center, managed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). This center is intended for individuals who have overstayed their visas or are in vulnerable situations. Staff are working with Kenyan authorities to process all documents required for the mother and child's return.
While at the center, they are provided with temporary accommodation, food, medical care, clothing, and other necessities. Furthermore, the center offers psychological counseling and social support, and specialized teams coordinate with embassies to obtain emergency travel documents and arrange flights.
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, noted that many people who end up in this facility were deceived by recruiters in their home countries. He emphasized that they came to the UAE with the goal of earning money to support their families but were misled even before leaving.
Al Marri stated that staff view these individuals not merely as immigration cases, but as human beings needing support during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. He added that the personnel strive to understand the circumstances of each resident and help resolve the legal and practical problems preventing them from returning home, stressing that they listen to and support the people.
The situation of the Kenyan mother is one of thousands of cases processed by the center annually. These include people who have lost their jobs, overstayed their visas, or become victims of recruitment fraud. The mother and child will remain at the center until the documentation is complete and the trip is arranged. For the mother, this assistance means the opportunity to finally put an end to months of uncertainty and start a new chapter in life with her child back home.
Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who hold a valid residence permit that has been active for at least three consecutive years can now visit Montenegro without obtaining a prior visa. This measure is a temporary exception announced by the government of Montenegro.
This visa exemption came into effect on May 1 and will be valid until October 1, 2026. During this period, eligible UAE residents can stay in Montenegro for up to ten days without needing a visa.
Visa-free entry is available to individuals with foreign passports who meet the established criteria. The decision was made by the Government of Montenegro in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 14 of the Law on Foreigners. To qualify for this exception, travelers must:
It is important to note that this exemption applies only to visitors arriving in Montenegro directly from the UAE and does not cover those traveling through other countries.
This provides UAE residents with an opportunity to visit Montenegro, known for its Adriatic coast, historic towns, and mountain landscapes. UAE residents can take direct flights from Dubai to Tivat in Montenegro. Flydubai offers four such flights every week, each lasting approximately five hours and fifty-five minutes. Ticket prices depend on travel dates and availability.
The Government of Montenegro stated that this temporary exception is intended to stimulate tourism and simplify travel between Montenegro and the UAE, allowing eligible residents to visit the country without applying for a visa in advance. Nevertheless, travelers are advised to check the current entry requirements from official sources before departure, as immigration rules may change.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its openness to individuals looking to improve their lives through the simplicity of obtaining visas, as well as its broad opportunities in career and lifestyle. One of the most attractive permits for tourists is the five-year multiple-entry visa.
This document allows travelers to enter the country for up to 90 days within five years, eliminating the need to apply for a new visa with each visit. The visa permits a stay of three months per entry, which can be extended by another 90 days within one year. This permit is available to citizens of all nationalities, reflecting the diversity of the UAE.
The visa was initially approved by the UAE Cabinet in 2021 during a meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The goal of this step was to position the UAE as an ideal destination for tourism and work. At the same time, the cabinet approved a remote work visa allowing employees from around the world to live and work in the UAE for a year.
In addition to these permits, there are other initiatives aimed at attracting people to develop in the country and strengthen its infrastructure. Recently, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism announced the launch of the 'A Dubai Invite' program, which runs from July 20 to October 31, 2026. Under this program, residents can receive various rewards, such as hotel stays, restaurant offers, and city attractions visits, if they successfully nominate friends or family members and confirm their visit.
To apply for the five-year multiple-entry visa, several basic requirements must be met to avoid legal consequences or refusal. The applicant's passport or other travel documents must be valid for at least six months and allow entry into the country, as well as return to the country of permanent residence or the issuing country. An airline ticket for continuing the trip or exiting the UAE is also required.
Furthermore, the applicant must have valid medical insurance in the UAE. Documentary proof of a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in other currencies must be provided six months prior to submitting the application. The applicant must not stay in the country continuously for more than 90 days; this period can be extended for a similar duration, provided the total number of days spent in the year does not exceed 180. A color passport-sized photograph is required. Family visas can be applied for children under 18. Depending on nationality, additional documents may be required, such as an Iraqi population pass, Iranian Censusnamah, or Pakistani or Afghan ID for beneficiaries.
Visa applications can be submitted through several channels: digital platforms such as the ICP and GDRFA websites, as well as physical customer service centers, printing centers, and GDRFA centers. Through any of these channels, processing the visa takes up to 48 hours.
Through digital channels, the applicant should log into the smart services system using UAE Pass or a login, find the application form for the five-year document, fill in the necessary details, and pay the service fee. If applying at customer service centers, GDRFA, or printing centers, one must visit the nearest such center, take an automatic ticket, wait in line, then submit the application with all information and documents, and complete the process by paying the fee.
The application fee amount may vary slightly depending on the submission location. When applying via the ICP website, clients must pay a fee of 3775 dirhams. If the application is submitted via the GDRFA website, the amount is 3713.5 dirhams. Additional fees include: application fee—100 dirhams, issuance fee—500 dirhams, guarantee deposit—3000 dirhams, guarantee service fee—21 dirhams, collection and return of guarantee fee—20 dirhams, plus 10 dirhams for Know Your Dirham and 10 dirhams for Innovative Dirham, and a total service fee of 52.5 dirhams.
To avoid fines or future refusals, it is important to follow specific rules after receiving the visa. The visa holder must enter the UAE within 60 days of the issue date. It is important to remember that the annual limit of 90 days is calculated from the date of the first entry into the UAE, not from the beginning of the calendar year or the visa issue date. Since this is a multiple-entry visa, re-entries are permitted as long as the stay does not exceed 90 days. The length of stay can be increased by an equal period if the total time in the year does not exceed 180 days. If the stay does not reach 90 days, the remaining days are not carried over to the next year. Violating the established length of stay invalidates the visa, and refunds are not issued. To track used time, the visa holder or their representative can request a travel report documenting entry and exit.
The application will be automatically rejected if the required data is not completed within 30 days of the return date, or if the application is returned three times due to missing information or incomplete documents. Usually, the reason for refusal is indicated if conditions are not met, but the authority reserves the right not to disclose the reason for refusal.
Unlike most cases where registration fees are non-refundable, the five-year multiple-entry visa provides for a refund in case of cancellation, expiration, or refusal. In case of refusal, the applicant receives a refund of the issuance fee, medical insurance fees, and paid financial deposits. Refunds for paid fees are made to the credit card used for payment within 180 days from the main application date. If the refund conditions are met, the applicant can request a refund by check or bank transfer to banks located in the UAE. If the main application date exceeds 180 days, the refund will only be made by check or bank transfer to UAE banks, and this process may begin within five years from the date the right to refund arises. It should be noted that financial deposits are collected directly in case of violation of rules regarding entry and stay in the country.
