UAE Halts Most Visas for Pakistanis Amid Crime Concerns — What It Means

 

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UAE Suspends Regular Visas for Pakistani Nationals

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly halted the issuance of regular visas to most citizens of Pakistan — a move announced by Pakistani officials during a Senate session.

According to Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry, the halt doesn’t amount to a complete passport ban — but visa issuance has been largely frozen, with only holders of “blue” (official) and diplomatic passports reportedly still being granted entry.

The decision was reportedly driven by rising concerns over misuse of visas and alleged involvement of certain Pakistani travellers in criminal activities across Gulf countries.

What the New Restriction Means — Who’s Affected

🚫 Regular Passport Holders Face Tough Time

Ordinary Pakistani passport holders (often referred to as “green passport” holders) are facing severe difficulty obtaining new UAE visas. Many applications are reportedly being rejected or left pending.

✅ Exceptions for Blue & Diplomatic Passports

The freeze does not affect holders of blue passports (government officials or other authorised personnel) or diplomatic passports. These remain eligible for visas under the current rules.⚠️ Not an Official Ban — Yet

Officials emphasize that this is not a formal ban on Pakistani passports, but an “unofficial suspension” of visa processing for ordinary travellers. They warn that if a full ban does come, reversing it may be difficult.

Why UAE Took This Step — What Triggered the Freeze

• Concerns over criminal activities: The UAE linked the freeze to multiple cases where Pakistani visitors allegedly took part in unlawful acts or violated visa conditions.

• Misuse of visit visas: Authorities suspect that some applicants used tourist or visit visas to overstay or work illegally.

• Documentation issues: Complaints about fraudulent documents — fake degrees or unverifiable credentials — also factored into UAE’s stricter visa scrutiny. Hindustan Times+1

These developments follow a broader pattern: many Gulf nations revising visa and immigration policies for certain nationalities in light of security and regulatory concerns.

Impact on Travellers and Migrant Workers from Pakistan

❗ What to Expect if You Apply for UAE Visa

• Higher risk of visa rejection or delays for ordinary passport holders

• Expect thorough background & document checks (e.g. police verification, credential attestation)

• Possibility of long waiting times or indefinite hold, even if you meet basic criteria

• Restriction affects tourist, visit and possibly work visas — many types now face near-freeze

⚠️ Uncertainty & Mixed Signals

UAE embassy sources continue to deny that there’s an official ban. While visas may still be processed in some cases, the overall slowdown and inconsistencies are causing confusion among applicants.

If you’re planning travel or employment in the UAE from Pakistan — or if you work with visa agencies — it’s wise to approach with caution and avoid assumptions of easy approvals.

What This Means for Gulf-Bound Migration & Regional Mobility

This move signals a new phase in visa regulation by Gulf states. For countries like Pakistan — which traditionally sent large numbers of workers to UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf economies — such restrictions could significantly reshape labour migration patterns. Analysts expect:

• More stringent documentation and verification requirements

• A shift in recruitment demand towards other nationalities

• Greater reliance on official channels, rather than informal visa or labour-agent networks

For travel-news and visa-update platforms, this underscores the importance of constant monitoring — travellers must remain alert to shifting rules. Also Read: Travel Malaysia on a budget