UAE Confirms No Official Visa Ban on Pakistani Nationals

The UAE has confirmed there is no official visa ban on Pakistani nationals, according to a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A new five-year visa policy mandates specific documentation. Increased scrutiny is attributed to fraudulent activities and visa overstays by some Pakistani applicants. Efforts are ongoing to facilitate smooth visa processes between the two nations.

On March 13, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Pakistan informed the National Assembly that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed the absence of an official visa ban on Pakistani nationals. This announcement was made in response to a query raised by Dr. Nafisa Shah regarding the situation of Pakistani applicants seeking UAE visas.

The UAE has recently implemented a new five-year visa policy requiring applicants to present various documents. Essential prerequisites include round-trip airline tickets, hotel reservations, evidence of property ownership if applicable, and a deposit of AED 3,000 to support their application.

The MoFA indicated that several factors have contributed to the heightened scrutiny of Pakistani visa applications. These include the submission of fraudulent qualifications, such as fake degrees and forged employment contracts, as well as instances of individuals overstaying their visas. Moreover, some members of the Pakistani community have been involved in political and criminal matters, raising additional concerns.

To address these challenges, the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has proactively engaged with UAE officials at multiple levels, including ministerial meetings. Furthermore, senior officials from the Middle East Division of the MoFA have consistently communicated these concerns to the UAE Embassy in Islamabad.

The MoFA ensures the timely submission of recommendation letters to the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to facilitate the smooth processing of visa applications for Pakistani citizens. The UAE authorities have reiterated that there is no formal ban affecting Pakistani nationals’ ability to obtain visas.

In summary, the UAE has clarified that there is no official visa ban on Pakistani citizens, despite the introduction of stricter application requirements. Factors such as fraudulent documentation and visa overstays have led to increased regulatory scrutiny. The Pakistani government is actively working with UAE officials to address these concerns and facilitate visa applications for its citizens.

Original Source: www.geo.tv