UAE Stops Issuing Most Visas for Pakistanis Amid Crime Concerns!

In a surprising move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stopped issuing most types of visas to Pakistani citizens. A senior official from Pakistan’s interior ministry confirmed this decision during a parliamentary committee meeting. This action follows increasing worries about criminal activities involving some Pakistani nationals in the Gulf state.

Only Blue and Diplomatic Passports are Accepted

Despite the suspension of visa issuance, the UAE continues to issue some visas. They are currently granting visas to all blue and diplomatic passport holders.

Notably, blue passports are given to government officials and other authorised personnel, while green passports, held by ordinary citizens, are not being accepted at this time.

Pakistan’s Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry stated that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not completely banned Pakistani passports. He warned that if such a ban were to be imposed, lifting it later would be very difficult.

Why the UAE Stopped Issuing Visas

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who heads the Senate committee, confirmed that the UAE linked its decision to cases involving Pakistani travellers accused of crimes after entering the country.

She said officials told the committee that the UAE had issued very few visas recently, and those approvals required considerable effort and time.

UAE Denies An Official Ban

Despite these reports and statements from Pakistan officials, UAE officials have not confirmed any official visa ban. The UAE Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate in Karachi have stated that they are still processing visa applications from Pakistan. However, the pace is slower.

This mixed messaging has created confusion among travellers and recruitment agents.

A diplomatic source in the UAE told local media that “there is no official ban on Pakistani visas,” but added that stricter screening and documentation checks are now in place.

Not the First Time the UAE Has Imposed Visa Restrictions

This isn’t the first time the UAE has taken strict action on visas. Back in 2022, the country temporarily stopped issuing visas in 24 cities across Pakistan. Reports at the time suggested the move was a response to widespread misuse of visit visas.

Many agents were allegedly sending people to the UAE on visit visas while falsely claiming they were work visas, leading to confusion, illegal employment, and legal troubles for travellers once they arrived.

Countries Currently Facing UAE Visa Suspensions

While the UAE has not officially listed Pakistan among the banned countries, visa suspensions currently apply to 9 countries, including:

• Uganda
• Sudan
• Somalia
• Cameroon
• Libya
• Afghanistan
• Yemen
• Lebanon
• Bangladesh

These restrictions are part of the UAE’s broader immigration review, which focuses on security, documentation issues, and misuse of visit visas.

Pakistan’s Deep Ties with the UAE

The UAE is one of Pakistan’s biggest trading partners in the Middle East and a major destination for Pakistani workers. Millions of Pakistani expatriates live and work across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, sending home billions in remittances each year.

Any visa restriction, even temporary, could affect thousands of families who rely on these jobs.

What Travellers Should Know

At the moment, ordinary Pakistani citizens are likely to face longer waiting times or rejections for UAE visit or work visas. Travellers are advised to check directly with official UAE visa centres or embassies before applying.

Until an official clarification is issued by both governments, the situation remains uncertain, leaving many Pakistanis hoping the restrictions are only temporary.