By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The United Arab Emirates will offer five-year visas to Pakistani nationals, its envoy to Islamabad said on Tuesday, ending months of heightened entry restrictions imposed over concerns about crime and social media misconduct.
UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi made the announcement during a meeting with Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori in Karachi, according to a statement from the Governor House. “Visa issues have been resolved. Pakistanis can get a five-year visa,” Al-Zaabi said, inviting Tessori to visit the UAE consulate’s visa center in the city.
The decision follows heightened Emirati scrutiny of Pakistani travelers, including police vetting mandated in December over reports of visa overstays, forged documents, and begging.
A Senate panel was told in January that UAE work visas remained officially unrestricted but were “unofficially closed” for months due to concerns about visitors exploiting entry permits.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry last month said the UAE had clarified there was “no official visa ban” but confirmed new requirements, including round-trip tickets, hotel bookings, proof of property ownership, and a 3,000 dirham deposit. It acknowledged UAE complaints about fake degrees, fraudulent contracts, and “inappropriate social media use” by some Pakistanis.
In November, UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi in Karachi cited “negative social media activities,” including TikTok misconduct, as grounds for rejections. “There were complaints about influencers misusing visas,” he told local media, stressing there was no blanket ban.
Over 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates live in the UAE, a key source of remittances for Pakistan’s struggling economy. The five-year visa aligns with the Gulf state’s efforts to streamline migration under its Golden Visa program while addressing security concerns.
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