Visa Restrictions on Pakistanis, but Indian Expat Population in UAE Surpasses 4 Million

Dubai: While the UAE has imposed various visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals, the number of Indian expatriates in the country has surged to nearly 4 million.
Satish Kumar Sawhan, the Consul General of India for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, revealed during a conference organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Dubai chapter that India’s expatriate community is playing a significant role in shaping the UAE’s economy, particularly in the financial sector. He noted that in 2012, the Indian population in the UAE stood at 2.2 million, but by 2023, it had risen to 2.9 million.
The Indian Consul General emphasized that the Indian community has been a crucial element in strengthening the strategic ties between the UAE and India. He also highlighted that the Indian community remains the largest foreign demographic in the UAE and continues to contribute substantially to the nation’s economic development.
Indian expatriates are not only a major part of the UAE’s workforce but also among its wealthiest residents, making significant investments in sectors such as healthcare, real estate, retail, and others.
According to Khaleej Times, the Indian community’s growing presence in the UAE underscores their indispensable role in the nation’s prosperity and global financial prominence.