Expat Good Conduct Certificate Not Mandatory For UAE Residents Job Switch

The news that the UAE’s new good conduct certificate isn’t now required for expat residents switching jobs is a relief for many expat professionals.

According to a source in the UAE’s General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs, the somewhat controversial new certificate will not be required when expats apply for a new visa after switching jobs within the emirates. The directive was delivered to Khaleej Times, and follows on from a previous announcement last week of the suspension of the requirement for new Indonesian and Filipino domestic workers.

Diplomatic missions representing a large number of expats had already published guidelines on how to get the required certification in response to a flood of calls, and the law and its new relaxation will not be an issue for applicants seeking student or tourist visas. For those to whom it does apply, it should be noted that dependents will not be required to present the certificate.

According to the Dubai Police assistant commander, the rationale of the new requirement is to ensure the UAE is a more sustainable and safe society as required by its leaders. It’s expected to discourage criminals from attempting to enter the emirates, and demonstrates the right of the state to protect members of its society from crime and violence.

In the meantime, expatriate demand for second passports is booming amongst affluent individuals in Dubai. Most popular are documents from Malta, Cyprus and other EU member states as the passports offer visa-free travel between the European Union member states as well as access to the Schengen countries. Double taxation agreements, family security, business interests and freedom to travel are the most popular aspects of second passports, with most processes taking around six months to complete.