Pakistan’s interior ministry has confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has paused the issuance of most visa categories for Pakistani passport holders, citing criminal concerns raised by Emirati authorities. However, UAE officials maintain that no formal ban is in place, leaving travellers and workers confused.
Interior Ministry Confirms Visa Freeze Citing Criminal Trends
A senior official from Pakistan’s interior ministry informed the Senate Committee on Human Rights that the UAE has halted visa issuance for the majority of Pakistani citizens. According to the briefing, Emirati authorities reported an increase in criminal cases involving Pakistani travellers. At present, only holders of diplomatic and official passports are still receiving visas.
The ministry noted that UAE officials highlighted incidents involving forged identities, trafficking operations, and misuse of visit visas. These concerns, it said, prompted the ongoing visa freeze. The official further warned that if a full ban on Pakistani passports were imposed, reversing it would be extremely difficult. As a result, the issue of a “UAE visa ban for Pakistan” has become a central focus of public debate and policy discussion.
UAE Denies Formal Ban, Adding to Public Confusion
Despite Pakistan’s confirmation, UAE representatives have denied the existence of any official ban. They stated that visa processing remains open but is subject to heightened scrutiny. The contradictory positions have led to widespread confusion among travellers, recruitment firms, and businesses reliant on movement between Pakistan and the UAE.
Context: Earlier Restrictions in 2024–2025
The latest developments follow previous visa restrictions imposed by several Gulf states in late 2024 and 2025, when certain Pakistani cities faced bans due to reported crime cases and issues related to organised begging. These earlier measures had already affected travel patterns and slowed outbound labour deployment.
Current Impact and Ongoing Diplomacy
For now, most visa applications are either delayed or not processed at all, while diplomatic efforts continue. Travel analysts warn that the uncertainty may disrupt workforce planning, family travel, and short-term job opportunities for Pakistanis seeking to work in the UAE.