Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a quiet yet significant turn of events, the United Arab Emirates has suspended the issuance of most visa categories for Pakistani citizens. This development became apparent during a discussion in Pakistan’s Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, where officials warned that a formal ban could follow.

The suspension impacts almost all new tourist, visit, and work visas. Existing visas remain valid, but new applications are not being processed at UAE embassies or authorized visa centers. Currently, only holders of blue and diplomatic passports can obtain entry permits.

This action comes in light of troubling incidents involving Pakistani nationals in the Gulf. Recent reports in the UAE include serious crimes ranging from organized begging to involvement in drug trafficking. Earlier this year, a violent attack in a Dubai bakery resulted in the death of two individuals from India’s Telangana state, allegedly perpetrated by a Pakistani national.

Gulf authorities have consistently expressed concerns about the misuse of visit visas by organized crime groups. Statistics presented to the Senate committee revealed that Pakistanis represented a notable portion of recent arrests related to these activities.

Annually, over 800,000 Pakistanis apply for visas to Middle Eastern nations mainly for improved job prospects. However, increasing scrutiny in these regions has raised alarms. For instance, Saudi Arabia has detained thousands of Pakistani beggars near holy sites like Mecca and Medina during pilgrimage seasons, and some have faced arrest for drug-related offenses.

The issue has revived comments from Dubai’s former police chief, Dhahi Khalfan, who previously accused Pakistani nationals of drug trafficking and advised employers to exercise caution in hiring them.

Reports indicate that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have mandated police verification for Pakistani travelers since late last year. Briefings to the Senate committee suggest that these countries are on the verge of implementing a formal ban on Pakistani passports but have refrained from taking that step so far.

Despite the challenging landscape, some positive developments have emerged. In a recent meeting in Islamabad, the UAE envoy revealed initiatives to simplify visa applications, including the introduction of online submissions, e-visas without the need for passport stamping, and expedited digital processing. Pakistan’s finance ministry highlighted that nearly 500 visas are being processed daily at the newly established UAE Visa Centre.

Nevertheless, for many Pakistanis, the suspension brings added uncertainty amidst existing struggles. A high number of visa rejections over the past year has jeopardized travel plans, job opportunities, and family reunions. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to seek clarity, but no official statement has been released from Islamabad.

Historically, the UAE has briefly restricted visa issuance for other nationalities due to security concerns or issues with overstaying. For now, the focus is on whether this visa suspension will remain temporary or evolve into a more extensive ban—a prospect that Pakistani officials worry could prove detrimental.