UAE suspends ‘character certificate’ rule for working Pakistani expatriates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has decided to indefinitely suspend the provision of ‘good conduct certificate’ for job-seeking Pakistani expatriates. The decision was taken by the UAE cabinet and conveyed to the Pakistani diplomatic missions in UAE on March 29.

On February 4, the UAE government had announced that those aspiring to work in the country would have to provide a good conduct certificate, also known as ‘police clearance certificate’, to be able to legally work in the country.

The decision was warmly received by the Pakistani diplomatic missions. Pakistan Consulate in Dubai Head of Chancery Rana Samar Javed termed the news as “a great progress”.

He said, “We welcome the decision and would continue our close working relations with the UAE authorities to devise a proper mechanism of recruitment for Pakistani workers and professionals in UAE.”

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFA) had confirmed the decision to suspend the provision through letters sent to all embassies and consulates across the country.

The letter read: “The UAE suspends requesting certificates of good conduct from foreign employees.”

It also stated that Pakistani citizens would not be required to submit character certificates with effect from April 1.