UAE Visa Freeze for Pakistani Passport Holders: Security Concerns Trigger Travel Ban
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly suspended the issuance of new visas for Pakistani citizens holding ordinary passports, a move that has caused widespread alarm and disruption. This de facto visa freeze, confirmed by Pakistani officials during a Senate committee session, is linked to growing security concerns over criminal activities involving some visitors from Pakistan.
The restriction affects all major visa categories—including tourist, work, visit, and transit visas—for holders of Pakistan’s green passports. Only individuals with official blue passports or diplomatic passports are currently being processed for UAE entry.
Official Confirmation and Security Concerns
During a recent session of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Salman Chaudhry, a senior Pakistani official, revealed that the UAE has effectively halted visa issuance for ordinary Pakistani passport holders. He warned lawmakers that while a complete passport ban has been avoided so far, implementing one would be extremely difficult to reverse once enacted.
The decision stems from repeated incidents involving Pakistani nationals in the UAE, including:
Criminal activities and involvement in organized begging rings
Visa overstays and violation of immigration rules
Working illegally on visit or tourist visas
These security concerns have reportedly built up over time, prompting UAE authorities to take precautionary measures to safeguard their immigration system.
Contradictory Statements Create Confusion
Despite official statements from Pakistani authorities, UAE representatives have publicly denied implementing any visa ban. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi of the UAE consulate in Karachi stated that visa processing continues for Pakistani citizens, attributing delays to increased application volumes rather than any official restriction.
This has created a confusing situation where:
Pakistani officials confirm a virtual visa freeze
UAE authorities deny any official ban
Applicants face widespread rejections and delays
Travel agencies report processing halts for ordinary passport holders
Impact on Pakistani Citizens and Bilateral Relations
The reported visa freeze has significant implications for:
Workers and Job Seekers: Thousands of Pakistanis seeking employment in the UAE face canceled plans and lost opportunities
Families and Travelers: Those planning to visit relatives or for tourism must reconsider their arrangements
Remittances: Pakistan’s economy, which relies heavily on remittances from UAE-based workers, could suffer substantial losses
Diplomatic Relations: The situation strains traditionally strong Pakistan-UAE ties and could lead to increased global scrutiny of Pakistani passports
Looking Ahead: Uncertainty and Potential Solutions
The current situation remains fluid with no independent confirmation from UAE immigration authorities about an official policy change. However, the pattern of visa rejections and delays suggests significant tightening of entry procedures for Pakistani ordinary passport holders.
Potential outcomes include:
Pakistan implementing stricter passport issuance controls
Enhanced verification processes for UAE-bound travelers
Bilateral discussions to address security concerns
Possible expansion of restrictions to other Gulf countries
For now, Pakistani applicants continue to face uncertainty, with many forced to seek alternative destinations or put their Gulf aspirations on hold. The situation highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and the economic interdependence between the two nations.
As diplomatic channels remain active, the resolution of this issue will depend on Pakistan’s ability to address the security concerns that prompted the visa restrictions while maintaining crucial economic and diplomatic ties with the UAE.
