In November 2025, reports emerged that the UAE has effectively suspended the issuance of most visas to Pakistani passport-holders — a major development with serious implications for travel, work, migration and remittances But the situation is complex: while many Pakistani citizens are reportedly unable to get visas, UAE officials deny that there is a formal visa ban.
What Officials Say (from Pakistan & UAE)
According to a senior Pakistani official — Pakistan Interior Ministry — the UAE has “stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis,” except for those holding blue or diplomatic passports. The Pakistani Senate’s Human Rights Committee was told that only a “handful” of visas have been issued recently, often “after much difficulty
The reason cited: concerns over some Pakistani travellers allegedly getting involved in criminal activities — including organised begging rings, overstays, drug-related offences and other crimes On the other hand, a senior diplomat at the UAE Embassy in Pakistan dismissed the idea of a blanket visa ban. He reportedly said that “every type of visa is being processed” and that applications are being handled — though booking slots may be delayed by over a month.
What the Recent History Looks Like (2025)
Earlier in 2025 (April), the UAE had reportedly “resolved” visa-related issues for Pakistanis and even announced a 5-year multiple-entry visa scheme Yet by mid-year, complaints of widespread visa rejections started surfacing Now, as of November, Pakistani officials confirm that visa issuance to ordinary passport-holders has been largely halted. The contrast between earlier promises and current reality has left many in a state of confusion and uncertainty.
Who’s Affected — And How
Workers and labour migrants: Many Pakistanis seek jobs in UAE for better earnings. With visas stopped, overseas-employment plans are disrupted Families and students: Family-visit visas, tourist visas, and other short-term travel visas are reported to be stalled or rejected Business travellers / investors: People planning business visits, trade, or investments may face major delays or impossibility of travel. Diaspora & remittance flows: Pakistan relies significantly on remittances from expatriates — a slowdown could have broader economic consequences
Why the UAE (According to Officials) Took These Steps
There have been multiple incidents involving Pakistani nationals in the UAE — from organised begging rings, petty crime, drug offences, overstaying, smuggling, to even severe crimes UAE authorities — according to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry — judged these incidents as serious enough to call for a broad curtailment of visa issuance to ordinary Pakistani passport holders While “blue” (government/service) and diplomatic passports remain eligible, standard “green-passport” applications face heavy rejection or indefinite delays
Conflicting Signals — No Formal Ban, But Real Freeze
On record, UAE’s diplomatic offices in Pakistan say there is no official visa ban; all visas continue to be “processed At the same time, Pakistani officials and visa-applicants say that in practice, visas are being denied or not processed for ordinary passport holders Early 2025’s promise of a 5-year multiple-entry visa now seems moot — visa applications are reportedly on hold for many.
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What This Means for Pakistani Citizens — And What To Keep in Mind
Don’t assume visas will be granted: Regular tourist, visit, work or business visas for ordinary passport holders may not be processed. Blue / diplomatic passports seem more likely to get through — but those only apply to certain categories (official/government Expect long delays, uncertainty — even if you apply, there’s no guarantee of approval or timeline. Consider alternatives — if you were relying on UAE for employment, business or migration, maybe explore other countries or destinations. Watch official announcements — the public diplomatic statements may not reflect ground-level visa processing; always check with the relevant consulate or visa-centre before making plans
Bigger Picture: Impacts on Pakistan–UAE Relations & the Region
The move affects labour migration and remittances, which are vital for many Pakistani families and for Pakistan’s economy. It could strain diplomatic and bilateral ties, especially if many people are left stranded or unable to fulfil contracts/jobs For UAE, the policy reflects a push to crack down on misuse of visas, illegal immigration, and security concerns — part of broader regional migration controls. Consequences may ripple: Pakistanis may seek alternatives (other Gulf countries, elsewhere), affecting migration patterns and remittance flows.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 visa freeze by UAE on regular Pakistani citizens — even without a formal “ban” — marks a significant shift. For many Pakistanis, this means lost opportunities, disrupted lives, delayed plans. At the same time, the mixed messaging from UAE officials (denying ban) and Pakistani authorities (confirming halted visas) leaves a gray zone — a “shadow ban” of sorts. For anyone thinking of travel, work, or migration to the UAE: approach with caution. Confirm visa-status directly, and consider backups.
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