DUBAI – Many Pakistanis who are planning trip to UAE expected smooth visa process. But recent changes have turned things upside down for many Pakistani travelers.
As per latest update, UAE stopped issuing visas to common Pakistanis, leaving thousands of workers and families in turmoil. Once a destination where Pakistanis built Dubai’s iconic skyline and sent vital remittances home, the Gulf nation now appears to be closing its doors almost entirely, sparking fears of a total travel ban.
Pakistan’s Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry warned Senate that only diplomats and blue passport holders are currently being granted visas, while regular citizens face indefinite delays. Alarmingly, he revealed that both Riyadh and Abi Dhabi had even considered a full ban on Pakistanis.
UAE is home to one of largest Pakistani expatriate communities in world. Their remittances are a lifeline for Pakistan’s economy, meaning these sudden restrictions could devastate families and businesses overnight.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri confirmed that the clampdown is linked to concerns over criminal activity by some Pakistani visitors. “Visas are being granted only in rare cases, and even then, it requires extraordinary effort,” she said.
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met UAE officials after a wave of visa rejections, receiving assurances that the process would be expedited. Yet the latest reports suggest those promises may be falling flat.
UAE says No Ban on Visas
Earlier this year, UAE confirmed that Pakistanis are not facing any official visa ban, but stricter regulations are now in effect, leaving travelers on high alert.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), anyone applying for UAE visa must now submit round-trip flight tickets, confirmed hotel reservations, and a deposit of AED 3,000.
The move comes in response to a surge in fake degrees, fraudulent job contracts, visa overstays, and inappropriate social media activity, prompting authorities to increase scrutiny of visa applicants.
Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has raised these concerns with UAE officials, while MoFA continues to engage with the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to ensure smooth processing for legitimate travelers. The new rules signal a tougher, more cautious approach by the UAE, even as it reassures there is no blanket ban on Pakistani nationals.
More UAE visit visa choices now available for Pakistanis, others
