UAE not issuing visas to Pakistanis, officials say

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently not issuing visas to Pakistani citizens, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry told lawmakers during a parliamentary body meeting, raising concerns over potential travel restrictions to the Gulf.

Officials told the Senate Committee on Human Rights that only holders of diplomatic and blue passports are able to obtain UAE visas at present.

During the meeting, Interior Ministry officials also highlighted vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s passport system, noting past incidents in which a neighboring country had allegedly exploited the system to issue passports illegally. Lapses in oversight, they said, may have contributed to cases of corruption.

Officials said Pakistan narrowly avoided having its passport banned in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, warning that any imposed ban would be difficult to reverse.

Last year, similar concerns surfaced when media reports suggested the UAE had restricted Pakistani nationals over social media activity, criminal incidents, and alleged misconduct. Pakistani and UAE officials denied the existence of such a ban or supporting documents, though publications cited cabinet discussions on complaints against some Pakistani citizens.

The UAE is one of Pakistan’s most significant economic partners, with trade, labor and financial links playing a key role in the country’s economic stability. Bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $10.9 billion in 2024, making the UAE Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, while Pakistani exports to the UAE rose 7.5% over the past year.

The Gulf state is also home to roughly 1.7 million Pakistani workers, whose remittances totaled $6.7 billion in 2024, supporting Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. In addition, UAE deposits with Pakistan’s central bank have helped Islamabad secure International Monetary Fund bailout tranches and stabilize its economy.

Earlier this year, Islamabad and Abu Dhabi signed a landmark agreement to allow mutual exemption from entry visa requirements, aimed at simplifying travel and boosting economic, cultural and diplomatic ties. Interior Ministry officials said the recent visa restrictions appear to contradict the spirit of the agreement, although discussions with UAE authorities are ongoing.