Pakistan, UAE activate visa exemption for officials

Pakistani and Emirati government officials and diplomats can now travel between the two countries without obtaining visas in advance, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced Sunday.

The mutual visa waiver applies only to holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries, Dar said in a social media post, confirming that UAE authorities had informed Pakistan the exemption was now in effect.

"We agreed mutual visa waivers on diplomatic and official passports between our two brotherly countries," Dar wrote.

The arrangement became operational after a 30-day implementation period following the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Dar said.

Double standard?

The exemption does not extend to ordinary Pakistani citizens, who continue to face enhanced visa scrutiny and stricter requirements when applying to visit the UAE.

In March, Dar told Pakistan's parliament that while no formal visa ban existed, UAE authorities had tightened restrictions due to concerns over fraudulent documents and visa overstays by some Pakistani nationals.

Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the UAE to discuss easing visa restrictions for Pakistani workers and general citizens, indicating that broader visa facilitation remains under negotiation.

Key destination

The UAE is home to approximately 1.7 million Pakistani workers and serves as Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $10.9 billion in 2024.

Pakistani workers in the UAE sent home $6.7 billion in remittances last year, making visa policies a significant economic issue for Pakistan.