UAE denies issuing visas to Pakistani citizens

Instances of begging and criminal activities by Pakistani nationals prompted the strict action

Islamabad (Pakistan) – Senior officials of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry informed a parliamentary committee that the United Arab Emirates is currently not issuing visas to ordinary Pakistani citizens. At present, only holders of blue passports, issued to government officials and individuals in special categories, are being granted diplomatic visas. Ordinary Pakistanis hold green passports.

The UAE has adopted this strict stand because several Pakistani citizens entering on tourist visas were found begging or engaging in illegal activities.

The official further stated that Pakistan narrowly cleared a complete passport-level ban. Once such a ban is imposed, lifting it becomes extremely difficult.

During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Human Rights Committee, the chairperson Samina Mumtaz Zehri said the UAE had tightened visa procedures due to concerns that some Pakistani nationals were engaging in unlawful activity after arrival. In recent months, very few visas have been approved only after rigorous scrutiny.

Impact on Pakistan’s Economy

The UAE is among Pakistan’s major trading partners and a significant source of foreign remittances. These visa restrictions could severely affect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Pakistani workers employed in the UAE.