No Formal Visa Ban on Pakistani Citizens, UAE Authorities Confirm

Islamabad:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the National Assembly that, according to UAE authorities, no formal visa restrictions have been imposed on Pakistani citizens. This clarification came in a written response to a question posed by Dr. Nafisa Shah in the National Assembly.

The Ministry explained that the UAE Embassy has notified that the UAE’s Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has announced a 5-year visa for Pakistani nationals. To apply for this visa, applicants must provide round-trip tickets, hotel bookings, proof of property ownership (if applicable), and an initial payment of 3,000 dirhams.

However, the Ministry also noted that stricter scrutiny and certain restrictions have been put in place due to multiple issues. These include Pakistani citizens submitting fake degrees, diplomas, and falsified job contracts. Some individuals have overstayed their visas, while others have been involved in political and criminal activities. A few members of the Pakistani community have also been found to be misusing social media platforms.

The Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi has raised the matter with the UAE government at the ministerial and secretary levels. Senior officials from the Ministry’s Middle East division are also engaging with the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to address the situation.

The Ministry assured that visa recommendations are promptly shared with the UAE Embassy to facilitate the visa issuance process. UAE authorities have emphasized that there are no formal visa bans on Pakistani citizens.