BREAKING NEWS: UAE Stops Issuing Most New Visas to Pakistani Citizens, Sparks Major Travel Disruption
New Delhi - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly halted the issuance of almost all new visas for Pakistani citizens holding regular green passports, triggering widespread concern among travellers, workers and businesses that depend on movement between the two countries. The development was revealed during a briefing to Pakistan’s Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, where interior ministry officials described the restriction as the “strictest level” of action short of a formal ban.
While the UAE’s Consul General in Karachi has denied the existence of any visa ban, multiple travel agents, applicants and officials have reported a sharp rise in rejection rates. According to Karachi-based Dawn, first-time and single-entry applicants are now experiencing rejection rates of up to 80%.
This situation has disrupted thousands of planned journeys and raised concerns about its economic and diplomatic implications for Pakistan.
Timeline of the Incident
The issue came into the spotlight when Pakistan’s interior ministry officials briefed the Senate committee earlier this week. During the session, they revealed that most categories of visas for ordinary Pakistani passport holders were no longer being approved.
Travel agents from Karachi and Lahore reported an unusual spike in visa refusals that began several weeks ago but intensified sharply in recent days. Applicants without family in the UAE have been facing near-total rejection, while those with close relations in the country continue to have better odds of approval.
Despite these reports, the UAE consulate stated that they are receiving record numbers of applications, which may be contributing to delays and increased rejections.
Eyewitness Accounts and On-Ground Situation
Travel agents across major Pakistani cities have reported heavy crowds outside visa centres, as thousands of applicants attempt to understand the new criteria and locate alternative travel options. According to agents handling UAE-bound applications, many travellers who had already purchased airline tickets have been forced to request refunds.
In several travel offices in Karachi and Rawalpindi, long queues formed as people sought clarity on whether they should cancel upcoming trips for work, family visits or medical treatment. Agents said that many applicants had been submitting documents for weeks without receiving any approvals.
Families waiting outside consulate offices have expressed worry about losing job opportunities in the UAE, a country that hosts one of the largest Pakistani expatriate communities.
What Officials Are Saying
The UAE’s Consul General in Karachi dismissed reports of a ban, stating that all visa categories continue to be processed. He said the high number of applications in recent weeks may have caused a spike in rejections, but no formal policy change has been announced.
However, Pakistani officials maintain that the restrictions are significant. According to Dawn, only diplomatic and blue passport holders are currently receiving visas, while tourist, visit and work visa applications for ordinary green passport holders face large-scale rejection.
Officials told the Senate committee that the UAE has taken similar actions in the past when concerns were raised about criminal activity, overstaying and illegal begging involving some Pakistani nationals.
Background: Past Issues Between UAE and Pakistan Over Visas
This is not the first time Pakistan has faced tightened visa rules from the UAE. Over the past decade, similar restrictions were placed on specific regions or categories due to security concerns.
Pakistani nationals have been arrested in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia for their involvement in organised begging networks, petty crime and overstaying. Saudi Arabia recently detained over 4,000 Pakistani beggars, many of whom were caught during religious pilgrimages in Mecca and Madina.
The repeated appearance of such cases has contributed to the UAE’s increasing scrutiny of Pakistani applicants, impacting the overall reputation of the country’s passport.
Impact on Travel, Jobs and Remittances
The sudden freeze is expected to have an immediate effect on Pakistan’s labour migration. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis travel to the UAE every year for short-term employment, business and family visits. Many individuals initially travel on visit visas before converting them into work permits.
With rejection rates at record highs, jobseekers have been left stranded. Travel agents are issuing refunds for processed applications, and employers in the UAE are reporting delays in onboarding new workers from Pakistan.
This disruption comes at a time when Pakistan heavily depends on remittances from expatriates. The UAE is one of the largest contributors to Pakistan’s remittance inflows, forming a crucial share of the $34 billion Pakistan received in 2024. Any extended restriction risks further pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Global and National Significance
The situation carries broader implications for Pakistan’s international standing. The country’s passport is already ranked among the weakest globally, and increased rejection rates further weaken its reputation.
Diplomatic experts warn that if the UAE moves toward a formal ban, reversing the decision could take years. Such restrictions could also encourage other Gulf countries to adopt similar measures unless Pakistan strengthens verification systems and addresses issues involving illegal networks operating abroad.
The developments highlight the need for reforms in police verification, crackdown on organised begging and stricter regulation of agents sending unverified individuals to Gulf nations.
Urgent Diplomatic Efforts Underway
Pakistan’s foreign ministry is now engaging in quiet diplomacy to understand the extent of the restrictions. Officials say that discussions are ongoing, but no timeline has been set for the easing of measures.
Despite the UAE opening new application centres and announcing plans for e-visas, these initiatives have been overshadowed by the current freeze. Officials emphasise that Pakistan must urgently respond to the concerns raised by Gulf states to avoid long-term damage to labour markets and bilateral ties.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The current situation between Pakistan and the UAE is a reminder of how international travel policies can shift quickly when security or administrative concerns arise. For a country where millions depend on Gulf nations for livelihood, even a partial freeze can have deep economic and social effects. Pakistan’s government will need to act fast and address the underlying issues that have contributed to such restrictions, including verification gaps and organised crime networks. In the coming weeks, the clarity and consistency of diplomatic communication will play a major role in shaping the future of travel and employment opportunities for Pakistani citizens in the UAE.