UAE says no need for good conduct certificates for now, job seekers relieved

Ending the confusion over the good conduct required to get a job in the United Arab Emirates, a new circular issued states that this requirement has been suspended until further notice.

The circular, which TNM has possession of, was issued on 29 March, 2018. It says, “The UAE suspends requesting certificates of good conduct from foreign employees”. It adds that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation took the decision to suspend the requirement to produce these certificates following a “Cabinet decision”. It adds that the move comes into effect from April 1, 2018.

According to data available from 2009, there are 2 million Indians who work in the UAE.

This circular has been shared with embassies and consulates across the UAE.

The Indian Consul General of Dubai also confirmed that this certificate is no longer necessary for those looking to work at UAE.

“It is confirmed that we have received communication from Government of UAE, that good conduct certificate for employment visas is temporarily suspended,” the Indian Consulate General tweet read.

It is confirmed that we have received communication from Government of UAE, that good conduct certificate for employment visas is temporarily suspended.

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) April 1, 2018

“I just got a job in Dubai. I was told by the recruitment agency that I need a good conduct certificate from the Kerala police. So I was just processing the papers, but now it seems it is not needed,” said Ashok Kumar, an engineer from Thiruvananthapuram.

In February, the UAE had announced that job seekers would need to provide a good conduct certificate or a police clearance certificate in order to live and work there.

The move was allegedly created in a bid to create a “safer and more sustainable society”.

Rafeek Ravuther, a migrant rights activist in Kerala, told TNM, “Just getting this certificate was very time consuming and required a lot of paperwork. So this move, suspending this need, is a blessing for people looking to work in the UAE.”

In order to get the certificate, the job seeker first had to pay Rs 1,000 to the district police headquarters. Once they receive the certificate, the job seeker can then apply for their visa.

According to Rafeek, the pressure put on the UAE by the Kerala government played a vital role in removing the need for this certificate.