UAE Visas for Pakistan
The issue of UAE visas for Pakistan has come under intense public and political scrutiny after a senior Pakistani Interior Ministry official informed a Senate committee that the United Arab Emirates has “mostly stopped” issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. The revelation has triggered widespread concern, especially among families, workers, and businesses that rely heavily on travel between the two countries.
During a briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry explained that the UAE has halted the processing of most visa categories for Pakistanis. According to him, only holders of blue (official) passports and diplomatic passports are currently being issued visas, while regular applicants face rejections or indefinite delays.
He added that discussions within the UAE government had at one point included a complete ban on the Pakistani passport, though this option was not implemented. Still, Chaudhry warned that if such a ban were ever introduced, reversing it would be “extremely difficult.”
These remarks have intensified the debate surrounding UAE visas for Pakistan, a topic that has already been trending in public discourse due to rising reports of visa rejections in recent months.
Why the UAE Restricted Visas
The Interior Ministry official stated that the primary reason behind the restrictions is the alleged misuse of visit visas by some Pakistani travelers. According to him, the UAE has raised concerns about:
- involvement of certain Pakistani nationals in illegal activities,
- overstaying visit visas,
- exploiting loopholes in visa categories, and
- cases linked to human trafficking, begging rackets, and fake employment documents.
These issues have pressured the UAE authorities to rethink their immigration approach toward Pakistan, leading to a significant slowdown in approvals for Pakistani applicants.
The Senate committee chairperson, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, echoed these concerns. She noted that complaints had surged from Pakistanis unable to secure visit, work, or business visas. The committee stressed the need for Pakistan to address the root causes contributing to these restrictions, particularly the exploitation of ordinary citizens by human smugglers and fake agents.
Conflicting Statements Add to Confusion
The situation surrounding UAE visas for Pakistan remains confusing due to conflicting messages. While Pakistani officials assert that visa issuance has largely been halted, the UAE Embassy in Islamabad has repeatedly denied any formal ban.
The UAE diplomatic mission claims:
- no official ban exists,
- visa applications continue to be accepted, and
- processing time is slower due to high demand.
This contradiction has left thousands of applicants uncertain about whether to trust local statements or wait for clarity from UAE authorities.
Travel agents, however, have confirmed a significant drop in visa approvals. Many report that only a small percentage of applications submitted in recent weeks have been approved—and those approvals are limited to special categories.
Impact on Workers and Families
The decision has created widespread anxiety among Pakistanis, especially because the UAE is one of the country’s largest destinations for employment. Almost 1.7 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, making it a major source of remittances for Pakistan’s struggling economy.
A slowdown or halt in UAE visas for Pakistan affects:
- prospective job seekers,
- families intending to visit relatives,
- business travelers,
- tourism operators, and
- companies dependent on cross-border mobility.
Workers who were preparing to leave for the UAE now face indefinite delays, with many fearing they may lose employment opportunities. Families planning reunions during school holidays or holidays like Eid are similarly affected.
Diplomatic Consequences
The Senate committee called on Pakistan’s Foreign Office to take up the matter urgently with Abu Dhabi. Lawmakers stated that Pakistan must engage diplomatically to prevent further deterioration in mobility between the two countries.
Experts note that the UAE’s decision underscores a larger pattern of Gulf states tightening immigration controls, particularly after rising incidents involving illegal activities by foreign nationals. Pakistan, they argue, must strengthen its passport monitoring system and curb fraudulent practices by travel agents to restore confidence.
What Happens Next?
For now, UAE visas for Pakistan remain in a restricted state, though not officially labeled as a ban. The Pakistani government is expected to seek clarification and push for the restoration of visa services.
Until then, Pakistani applicants may continue to face delays, refusals, or uncertainty. Both countries continue to enjoy strong political, economic, and cultural ties, and analysts hope that the visa issue can be resolved diplomatically in the coming weeks.
