The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens holding ordinary passports, according to a senior official of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry. The restriction currently applies to green passports, while holders of blue (official) and diplomatic passports remain eligible for entry.
During a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry confirmed that the UAE has halted visa processing for ordinary Pakistani nationals. He cautioned that Pakistan narrowly avoided a complete passport ban, which would have been extremely difficult to reverse.
Officials disclosed that the UAE authorities raised concerns over misuse of visit visas, citing instances where Pakistani nationals were allegedly involved in begging or criminal activities after arrival. These developments prompted the Gulf state to tighten its entry policy.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, chairperson of the committee, acknowledged the Interior Ministry’s statement and expressed concern over the implications for ordinary citizens. She emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement to safeguard the interests of Pakistanis seeking employment, education, and family reunification in the UAE.
The Interior Ministry further noted that Saudi Arabia had also considered similar restrictions, underscoring a broader regional shift toward stricter passport controls. Despite strong bilateral ties, officials warned that any formal ban on Pakistani passports would pose significant challenges for reversal.
