UAE Stops Issuing Regular Visas to Pakistanis, Senate Panel Told
Interior Ministry Briefs Senate Committee
A senior Interior Ministry official told a Senate committee that the United Arab Emirates has stopped issuing regular visas to Pakistani citizens. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry delivered the briefing during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights. He said the UAE continues to grant visas only to diplomatic and official passport holders.
Chaudhry explained that ordinary passport applicants have struggled to secure entry permits for several months. He also noted that the UAE has not announced a formal ban, but the practical outcome resembles one.
Concerns Over Possible Long-Term Restrictions
The official warned that a formal ban would be extremely difficult to reverse. He asked the committee to monitor the situation closely, as many Pakistanis rely on the UAE for work and family support. The Gulf state hosts a large Pakistani community and remains one of Pakistan’s top sources of remittances.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri backed his concerns. She said visa approvals have become rare and often require significant effort. She noted that many applicants have received no updates, even after repeated follow-ups.
Claims of Criminal Activity and UAE’s Response
During the briefing, Chaudhry suggested that the UAE may be responding to reports of criminal activity involving some Pakistani nationals. He stressed that the government must address such issues to protect the country’s reputation abroad.
A senior UAE diplomat, however, rejected suggestions of a formal ban. He said administrative delays and new screening procedures may be slowing approvals. He insisted that the UAE values its relationship with Pakistan.
Visa Reforms Underway
The UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Salem M. Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, outlined steps to modernise visa services. He said the UAE now handles most applications through digital platforms. He also pointed to the new UAE Visa Centre in Pakistan, which processes up to 500 cases a day.
Despite these improvements, many Pakistanis still face uncertainty. Some are unable to take up job offers, while others fear losing employment opportunities already secured.
