All passport holders are affected by the freeze, with the exception of diplomatic and blue passports, as a result of many events involving travelers from Pakistan. Due to worries about applicants "getting involved in criminal activities," the UAE has halted the routine issuing of visas to Pakistani nationals. This comes months after a number of Pakistani tourists expressed dissatisfaction about frequent visa denials.
According to Dawn, a senior Pakistani official has now acknowledged that the action is related to worries about Pakistanis visiting the West Asian country and "getting involved in criminal activities".
According to the report, the UAE had expressed worries about dubious school qualifications and other papers, as well as an increase in the number of visa applicants connected to criminal cases.
During his briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry stated that both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had almost completely banned the Pakistani passport, according to The Dawn.
Credentials and documents under investigation
According to the report, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, called the visa denials a "serious and significant" problem.
The authenticity of Pakistani educational and qualification certificates has been questioned by Emirati authorities, he added, adding that even legitimate documents could be denied if the necessary attestation—whether in Pakistan or the UAE—is deemed insufficient.
According to reports, the UAE now uses AI-based technologies to confirm credentials, giving all applicants an additional degree of scrutiny.
Credentials and documents under investigation
According to the report, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, called the visa denials a "serious and significant" problem.
The authenticity of Pakistani educational and qualification certificates has been questioned by Emirati authorities, he added, adding that even legitimate documents could be denied if the necessary attestation—whether in Pakistan or the UAE—is deemed insufficient.
According to reports, the UAE now uses AI-based technologies to confirm credentials, giving all applicants an additional degree of scrutiny.
Tightening regulations and document scrutiny have led to an unofficial freeze in visa approvals, especially for regular passport holders. Blue passport holders and diplomats are unaffected.
Even though there isn't an official prohibition, Islamabad's Additional Interior Secretary recently told the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights that the UAE has ceased granting most visas to Pakistanis.
worries about illegal activity
According to the article, senior interior ministry officials clarified that the limits started out as an informal suspension rather than a legal ban during a briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly being cautious, limiting authorization to a few hard-to-obtain visas rather than outright banning the Pakistani passport.
Even though there isn't an official prohibition, Islamabad's Additional Interior Secretary recently told the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights that the UAE has ceased granting most visas to Pakistanis.
worries about illegal activity
According to the article, senior interior ministry officials clarified that the limits started out as an informal suspension rather than a legal ban during a briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly being cautious, limiting authorization to a few hard-to-obtain visas rather than outright banning the Pakistani passport.
Committee members stated that the ruling came after numerous instances in which Pakistani tourists were discovered to be involved in activities that UAE authorities deemed illegal. They claimed that this pattern forced the Emirati government to limit access to visas while evaluating the severity of infractions.
Since the middle of the year, the problem has been simmering. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed concerns to UAE Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan after Pakistanis began to report frequent rejections as early as July. The restrictions persisted despite promises of cooperation, and there was no indication when they would be lifted.
The current condition of affairs also contradicts the hopeful remarks made in April by the UAE envoy to Pakistan, who said that previous visa obstacles had been overcome and that Pakistani citizens would have access to multi-year visas.
Since the middle of the year, the problem has been simmering. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed concerns to UAE Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan after Pakistanis began to report frequent rejections as early as July. The restrictions persisted despite promises of cooperation, and there was no indication when they would be lifted.
The current condition of affairs also contradicts the hopeful remarks made in April by the UAE envoy to Pakistan, who said that previous visa obstacles had been overcome and that Pakistani citizens would have access to multi-year visas.
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