Why UAE Has Stopped Issuing Most Visas to Pakistanis Amid Rising Red Flags

Islamabad | Nov 28, 2025 The United Arab Emirates has halted the issuance of most regular visas to Pakistani citizens, a move that Pakistani officials confirmed during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights. The freeze applies to ordinary passport holders, while diplomatic and blue-passport holders remain exempt. This follows months of unusually high visa rejection rates that many applicants had already been reporting since mid-2025. Officials revealed that the UAE’s decision is tied to growing concerns about Pakistani travellers allegedly getting involved in activities considered criminal under Emirati laws. These include cases of overstaying, financial fraud, organised begging networks, and other violations that have raised alarm in Abu Dhabi. Pakistani authorities admitted that the UAE had also flagged a surge in questionable educational qualifications and employment documents submitted by visa seekers, prompting strict scrutiny. Even genuine documents are being rejected when attestation is incomplete or inconsistent. Former Pakistani diplomats described the situation as serious, noting that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia had come close to considering broader restrictions on the Pakistani passport. Adding to the challenge, the UAE is now using AI-based systems to verify documents, making it harder for applications with any irregularities to pass through. This combination of tighter checks and rising concerns has resulted in what officials call an “unofficial suspension,” even though the UAE has not issued a formal ban. Committee members explained that the pattern of repeated violations by travellers pushed the UAE to limit visa access while it assesses the scale of the problem. The issue has been building quietly for months. Many Pakistanis began reporting mass denials as early as July, leading the Pakistani interior minister to raise the matter with Emirati authorities, though no clear progress has been made. The situation also contrasts sharply with optimistic official remarks earlier in the year, when the UAE ambassador had suggested that multi-year visas would soon be accessible. For now, thousands of Pakistanis remain uncertain about travel, work, and family plans tied to the UAE, as no timeline has been offered for when normal visa processing might resume. Why UAE Has Stopped Issuing Most Visas to Pakistanis Amid Rising Red Flags The UAE has paused most regular visas for Pakistani citizens, with only diplomatic and blue-passport holders still allowed entry. This comes after months of unusually high visa rejections that many travellers had already been reporting. Pakistani officials have now confirmed that the UAE raised serious concerns about applicants being linked to criminal activities, overstaying, and submitting questionable documents. Authorities in the UAE have reportedly flagged issues with fake or improperly attested educational and professional certificates, making verification difficult. Even genuine documents are being rejected when they lack proper attestation. The UAE has also introduced AI-based verification systems, adding more layers of scrutiny and reducing approval rates further. Pakistani officials say the restrictions began as an informal freeze rather than a formal ban, but reversing the situation may be challenging. They also revealed that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia had previously considered even stricter measures due to rising violations by travellers. Many Pakistanis began noticing widespread denials as early as July, and despite diplomatic discussions, no clear relief has been provided. Thousands of ordinary passport holders remain uncertain about when normal visa processing will resume, with no timeline announced so far.