UAE, Pakistan sign deal to exempt visa entry requirements

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday allowing mutual exemption of entry visa requirements, marking a significant step toward enhancing people-to-people contact and strengthening bilateral ties.

The agreement was one of several key outcomes of the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held in Abu Dhabi and co-chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements is expected to simplify travel for citizens of both countries, fostering closer economic, cultural, and diplomatic exchanges.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a preparatory meeting ahead of the formal session was led by Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.

New steps to strengthen collaboration

The commission reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and identified new steps to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, banking, culture, aviation, energy, railways, food security, climate change, defense, health, education, IT, and manpower.

Officials from both sides underscored the importance of institutional linkages and improved coordination between ministries to enhance bilateral engagement.

UAE is one of Pakistan’s most significant economic partners, playing a vital role in the country’s trade, labor export, and financial stability.Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan

The statement said that the meeting was held in a spirit of mutual respect and reflected the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

Discussions also covered regional and global developments, with both delegations reiterating their support for peace and stability in the region.

Key agreements signed

The session concluded with the signing of several key agreements aimed at expanding cooperation.

Among them was a protocol outlining mechanisms for follow-up actions and sectoral coordination.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements, easing travel for citizens of both nations.

Another MoU was inked for the Establishment of a Joint Task Force to Promote Investments, and an Agreement on Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy was signed to boost cooperation in emerging technologies.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the session’s outcomes and committed to continued engagement. They agreed that the 13th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.

Why it matters

The UAE is one of Pakistan’s most significant economic partners, playing a vital role in the country’s trade, labor export, and financial stability.

In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed US $10.9 billion, making the UAE Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner. Pakistani exports to the UAE also saw a healthy 7.5% increase over the past year, reflecting growing commercial ties.

Moreover, the UAE is home to approximately 1.7 million Pakistani workers, making it a major source of remittances, which amounted to $6.7 billion in 2024.

In addition to trade and labor links, the UAE has provided critical financial support to Pakistan, including deposits with the State Bank, which helped Islamabad unlock crucial IMF bailout tranches and stabilize its economy.