UAE Implements Visa Restrictions for Pakistani Citizens
The United Arab Emirates has effectively frozen visa issuance for most Pakistani citizens, with authorities revealing that a complete ban on Pakistani passports was seriously considered. According to senior Pakistani officials, the Gulf nation has stopped short of imposing a full-scale ban but has significantly restricted visa approvals for ordinary passport holders.
Official Confirmation of Visa Restrictions
Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry disclosed these developments during a briefing with the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE had considered but ultimately avoided imposing a complete ban on Pakistani passports, Chaudhry informed the parliamentary panel. He emphasized that such a drastic measure would have been extremely challenging to reverse once implemented.
The current restrictions mean that the UAE is only processing visas for blue passport holders and diplomatic passport carriers. In Pakistan's passport system, blue passports are exclusively reserved for government officials, while the general population travels using green passports.
Security Concerns Behind Restrictions
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who chairs the human rights committee, confirmed the ministry's statements and provided context for the restrictions. She indicated that the limitations stem from concerns about Pakistani travelers engaging in criminal activities within the UAE. The senator noted that very few visas have been approved in recent months, and those that were processed faced significant bureaucratic hurdles.
"Very few visas have been issued in recent months, and only after much difficulty," Zehri stated, highlighting the practical impact of these restrictions on Pakistani citizens seeking to travel to the UAE.
Contrasting Developments in Visa Processing
In a seemingly contradictory development, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem M. Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the same day these restrictions were revealed. The ambassador outlined new visa facilitation measures including online applications, e-visas without passport stamping, and faster digital processing.
The newly established UAE Visa Centre is currently handling approximately 500 applications daily, according to Finance Ministry officials. This creates a confusing scenario where visa facilitation reforms are being promoted alongside significant restrictions for ordinary Pakistani passport holders.
Pattern of Visa Issues Throughout 2024
Pakistani travelers have faced recurring visa challenges throughout the year. In early July, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi raised concerns with UAE authorities following a noticeable increase in visa rejections. At that time, UAE Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan assured Pakistani officials of support in expediting visa approvals.
Earlier in April, the UAE ambassador had announced that previous visa issues had been resolved and Pakistanis would become eligible for five-year visas. However, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis received information in January indicating that some UAE visas had been "unofficially closed" due to concerns about Pakistanis using visit visas for begging rather than legitimate employment.
Work visas for Pakistani nationals reportedly remain unaffected, but significant uncertainty persists around visit visa issuance for ordinary green passport holders. This development carries substantial implications given the deep diplomatic and economic ties between Pakistan and the UAE, with the Gulf nation hosting a large Pakistani workforce and serving as a major source of remittances.
