Karachi, April 8, 2025: In a significant development for bilateral relations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially introduced a five-year visa policy for Pakistani nationals, UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi announced during his visit to Karachi on Tuesday.
The announcement came during a meeting with Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori at the Governor House, where UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi was also present.
According to Ambassador Al Zaabi, all outstanding visa-related issues have now been resolved, allowing Pakistani citizens to apply for long-term multiple-entry visas, aimed at strengthening people-to-people contact and business ties between the two countries.
As per the updated guidelines provided by the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, applicants must submit a round-trip air ticket, hotel booking confirmation, proof of property ownership (if applicable) and a refundable AED 3,000 security deposit.
Governor Tessori welcomed the move, calling it a positive step toward deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism, and investment. He also praised UAE’s ongoing support for development projects in Sindh and Karachi.
Ambassador Al Zaabi, who also participated in a tree plantation drive and flag-hoisting ceremony at the Governor House, noted the importance of initiatives launched under the Governor’s Initiative, and extended an invitation to visit the newly opened UAE Visa Center in Karachi.
The visa policy announcement follows recent clarification from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated in Parliament that no formal visa ban had been imposed on Pakistani nationals by the UAE. However, visa scrutiny had increased due to incidents involving forged documents, fake job contracts, and overstays.
Officials in Abu Dhabi have been actively engaged with UAE authorities to safeguard the integrity of the visa process and ensure smooth travel for legitimate applicants.
