UAE introduces good behaviour requirement for foreign workers

Foreigners applying to work in the UAE will soon be required to obtain a good conduct and behaviour certificate to receive a work visa, state news agency WAM confirmed on Monday.

The new condition comes following the decision to execute cabinet resolution No. (1/8#) for 2017 by the UAE’s Coordination Committee, WAM said.

The certificate must be issued from the applicant’s home country or the country they have resided in for the last five years.

It must also be certified by UAE missions abroad or through the attestation centres at customer happiness centres for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The committee of government authorities said the new procedure, which comes into effect from February 4, was part of government efforts to improve security and make the country one of the most peaceful in the world.

A second cabinet resolution, No. (1/8#) for 2017, dictates that it is a key requirement for those wishing to enter the country for the purpose of work.

However, the new document will not be required of those registered as dependents of workers or for tourists.

The conditions of obtaining the certificate were not strictly specified but it must be provided by a police force or local government authority.

For long-term residents of the UAE this means applying to the Dubai or Abu Dhabi police forces.

Among the conditions for obtaining a certificate are expected to be that the applicant has no criminal record.

Late last year, UAE authorities introduced changes to the UAE’s worker classification system with a greater emphasis on employee qualifications.

According to the new law, companies that employ skilled workers will be offered lower governmental fees for the issuance of new work permits and for the renewal of work permits for existing employees.

Read: Explained: Changes to the UAE’s worker classification system