Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have always shared strong relations. Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, and the country is one of Pakistan’s biggest trading partners and a major source of remittances. But in the past few months, the visa situation has caused confusion and concern.
During a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry shared an important update:
The UAE has not been issuing regular visas to Pakistani citizens.
He explained that only holders of blue passports and diplomatic passports are currently receiving visas. He also warned that if a full ban were ever imposed on the Pakistani passport, lifting it could become very difficult.
Why Are UAE Visas Not Being Issued Now?
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who heads the committee, confirmed the interior ministry official’s statement.
According to her, UAE authorities had concerns about some visitors entering the country on visit visas and then getting involved in illegal or criminal activities.
She added that only a small number of visas had been approved in recent months, and even those were issued after great difficulty.
UAE Ambassador Shares New Visa Facilitation Steps
While one side highlights difficulties, the other side shows progress.
On the same day, UAE Ambassador Salem M. Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi met Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and shared encouraging news about new visa reforms.
According to the Ministry of Finance:
- Online visa processing is being expanded
- E-visas will be issued without passport stamping
- System-to-system verification will become faster
- Nearly 500 visas per day are being processed at the new UAE Visa Centre in Pakistan
The ambassador also appreciated the contribution of Pakistanis living in the UAE and discussed ways to improve trade, investment, technology, and cultural cooperation. Both sides expressed hope for stronger ties and more opportunities.
A Look at Past UAE Visa Issues
The UAE visa problem is not new. Here’s a quick recap of what happened earlier this year:
July
Many Pakistanis faced visa rejections. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi raised the issue with the UAE authorities, who assured him of support in speeding up visa approvals.
April
UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi announced that the visa issues had been resolved and that Pakistanis could apply for a five-year visa.
January
The Senate Committee on Overseas Pakistanis was informed that some UAE visas were “unofficially closed.”
Authorities said the UAE government had concerns about visitors who entered on visit visas and later resorted to begging or overstaying illegally.
However, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada clarified that there were no restrictions on work visas, and Pakistanis could still travel for employment legally.
What Does This Mean for Pakistanis?
Right now, the situation is mixed:
✔ What’s Working
- Work visas are still open
- UAE Visa Centre is processing around 500 visas daily
- New online systems may make visa processing faster
✘ What’s Limited
- Visit visas for ordinary Pakistani passport holders
- Only diplomatic and blue passports are receiving visas smoothly
Final Word
The UAE remains one of the most important destinations for Pakistanis. While visit visa issuance is currently restricted, work visas, long-term visas, and official travel continue. Officials from both countries are actively discussing ways to streamline the process.
For now, applicants should stay updated and follow official announcements, as the situation is still developing.
Reference: Dawn
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