The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is asking the general public to disregard publications regarding claims that Ghanaians can now enter into the UAE without a visa.
In a statement by the Embassy, it stated that even though the agreement has been ratified by Parliament of Ghana, the process for its implementation has not been completed.
“It has come to the attention of the Embassy that some publications on the internet and on social media seem to suggest that Ghana passport holders can now travel visa-free to the United Arab Emirates following the ratification by the Parliament of Ghana of the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Embassy urges the public to disregard all such publications and messages.”
Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in UAE
According to the Embassy,; it will officially communicate any changes to the current entry visa regime between;Ghana and the United Arab Emirates when the agreement comes into force.
The statement comes on the back of reports suggesting that;Ghanaians seeking to travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates no longer required visas following the adoption of the MoU between the two countries by Parliament.
Visa waiver agreement contained in MoU
The visa waiver agreement,;which is 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.
The MoU when completed and approved will have Ghanaians traveling to the UAE without having to go through the normal visa requirement process.
The MOU which was signed was presented to Parliament on May 26, 2021 by;Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway,;for consideration in accordance with Order 140(4) and 183 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
Also on the MoU,;the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs’ Committee, Bryan Acheampong indicated that the two countries have fruitful cooperation,;and as a result,;they are 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.
MoU doesn’t impose financial obligation
Mr. Bryan Acheampong added that neither the MoU impose any financial obligation on the two countries;nor provide direct financial gains from its implementation.
The Abetifi Member of Parliament (MP) further said;the agreement had been fashioned in a way to create a win-win situation for both countries. He also added that the 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 with the incoming arrangement, allows and makes ordinary passport holders in both countries’ beneficiaries.
