The United Arab Emirates has entered into a visa-free agreement with the Ghanaian government, following an approval by the parliament. (Read More Here).
The agreement between governments of Ghana and the UAE was signed on Thursday, August 5, 2021, following the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding by both parties.
The MOU is restricted to holders of diplomatic and other official passports whose background and conduct are in line with the public and state security apparatus. (Read More Here).
According to reports, the agreement approved was on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements in respect of diplomatic, service/special, and ordinary passport holders.
The Agreement was executed on November 18, 2019, with the object of waiving the visa requirements for these particular passport holders in Ghana and the UAE before entering into each other’s territories where they can stay for a period not exceeding 90 days.
Ghanaians seeking to travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now do so with ease following the approval of visa free deal between the two countries.
An agreement to offer visa free entry to Ghanaians and UAE passport holders has been approved by Parliament.
The visa waiver agreement, which was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Ghana and the UAE on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements, is in respect of diplomatic, service/special and ordinary passport holders.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, presented the MoU to the House on May 26, 2021, which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration and report in accordance with Order 140(4) and 183 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
Chairman of the Committee, Bryan Acheampong indicated that during a presentation of their report that Ghana/UAE had had fruitful cooperation, indicating that the two countries were desirous to take the bilateral relations to another level.
According to him, the agreement constitutes a comprehensive framework on visa regimes for both countries and does not impose obligations on the two parties to admit people who are considered to be of questionable character into their territories.
He reported that neither did the MoU impose any financial obligation on the two countries nor provided direct financial gains from its implementation.
The Abetifi MP said the agreement had been fashioned in a way to create a win-win situation for both countries, and added that relaxed visa entry requirement is expected to yield tremendous benefits to citizens of Ghana and UAE through improved relations, trade and bilateral co-operation.
Mr. Acheampong stated that visa waiver arrangements to facilitate the movement of diplomats and government officials are common, except that this one makes ordinary passport holders beneficiaries.
