Dubai, July 27, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially implemented a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official Pakistani passports, with reciprocal arrangements now in effect for UAE nationals visiting Pakistan.
Dar confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X, following a high-level agreement with UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The agreement marks a key milestone in bilateral relations, further strengthening the long-standing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.
“I have been informed by the UAE authorities that the visa waiver for diplomatic and official Pakistani passports entering the United Arab Emirates has been activated, effective July 25, 2025, at all UAE airports,” Dar wrote.
He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual visa waivers was signed between the two nations and came into effect 30 days after the signing, as agreed.
The UAE is among Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a critical source of foreign remittances, with a significant Pakistani workforce residing across the Emirates. The new visa exemption is expected to enhance high-level diplomatic engagement, official travel, and institutional cooperation between the two nations.
Dar further confirmed that reciprocal visa exemptions have also been implemented for UAE diplomatic and official passport holders arriving at all Pakistani airports.
Earlier this month, UAE Interior Minister Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan had assured “full support” in expediting visa processing for Pakistani citizens during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
During the discussion, Naqvi highlighted the need for relaxed visa policies:
“We want Pakistani citizens to come to the UAE with ease. Relaxation in visa policies will bring great relief.”
The mutual visa exemption MoU was signed in June 2025 during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
