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Muhammad Arsalan
ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates has rolled out significant changes to its visa regime for Pakistani nationals following extended diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi.
Under the revised arrangement, Pakistani holders of official and diplomatic passports will now be eligible for UAE visas with relative ease. The category includes politicians, senior civil servants, military officers, and members of the judiciary, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Pakistan has described the development as a key diplomatic breakthrough.
In contrast, Pakistani citizens holding ordinary green passports will continue to face a more rigorous process for both visit and work visas. UAE authorities are restructuring their screening and approval systems, with full implementation expected within six to eight weeks.
Under the new framework, applicants will be required to complete a preliminary screening application before submitting a formal visa request. This initial step will determine whether an applicant qualifies to proceed. Once cleared, the applicant will submit a full visa application, which will then undergo a second layer of scrutiny before a final decision is made.
Officials in Abu Dhabi have stressed that the UAE has not imposed a blanket visa ban on Pakistani nationals. However, they acknowledge that enhanced security checks were introduced due to concerns raised by law enforcement agencies. The new digital screening mechanism is intended to improve risk assessment and ensure tighter compliance.
Diplomatic sources say that once the system is fully operational, visit visas for ordinary Pakistani passport holders are expected to gradually reopen, provided applicants meet the revised criteria.
The tightening of visa procedures is widely linked to crime-related concerns. UAE authorities have noted that Pakistani nationals account for a disproportionately high number of inmates in Emirati prisons compared with their share of the expatriate population. This trend has been cited as a key factor behind the decision to strengthen vetting procedures.
Notably, Indians form the largest expatriate community in the UAE, followed by several other nationalities, while Pakistanis rank lower in overall population size. Despite this, officials say Pakistanis represent the largest share among foreign prisoners, prompting a reassessment of visa controls.
Pakistani officials have acknowledged the concerns and emphasized the need for greater awareness among citizens traveling abroad. The foreign ministry has said that engagement with UAE authorities remains ongoing to ensure transparency in the visa process and to safeguard legitimate travel and employment opportunities.
Once the enhanced screening framework is fully implemented, officials expect a gradual normalization of travel for Pakistani workers, tourists, and business visitors. Both sides say a more structured visa system is essential to sustaining long-term bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.
