Pakistan’s interior ministry has confirmed that the UAE has paused most visa issuance for Pakistani passport holders, citing criminal concerns raised by Emirati authorities — though UAE officials continue to deny that a formal ban exists, leaving travellers in confusion.
Interior Ministry Confirms Visa Freeze Amid Criminal Concerns
A senior official from the interior ministry informed the Senate Committee on Human Rights that the UAE has largely stopped issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. According to the briefing, Emirati authorities have flagged an increase in criminal incidents involving Pakistani travellers. At present, only holders of diplomatic and official passports are still receiving visas.
The committee was told that UAE officials reported issues related to identity fraud, trafficking networks, and misuse of visit visas. The ministry said these patterns prompted the current freeze and cautioned that, if a full ban were introduced, reversing it would be extremely difficult. The situation has pushed the topic of “UAE visa ban Pakistan” into the spotlight, dominating news coverage and public searches.
UAE representatives, however, have denied implementing any formal ban. They maintain that visa processing remains open but is subject to stricter checks. This contradictory messaging has caused uncertainty for travellers, recruitment firms, and businesses that rely heavily on UAE-based mobility.
This development follows earlier visa restrictions imposed by Gulf states in late 2024 and 2025, when certain Pakistani cities faced travel limitations due to rising crime cases and issues related to begging networks. These restrictions already affected travel patterns and slowed outbound labour movement.
At present, most visa applications are either delayed or left unprocessed, while diplomatic engagement continues. Travel experts warn that prolonged uncertainty could disrupt workforce planning, family visits, and short-term employment opportunities for thousands of Pakistanis.
