Islamabad, December 23, 2024: Pakistani citizens planning to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will now be required to submit a police verification report, according to Muhammad Tayyab, Director General of the Bureau of Immigration. The new rule, announced on Monday, aims to ensure that all travelers depart with proper clearance, he informed the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis.
Tayyab confirmed that the policy would apply to all travelers, and instructed travel agents to adhere to the updated directive.
Senator Shahadat Awan raised questions regarding previous restrictions on Pakistani nationals traveling to the UAE, seeking clarity on whether such restrictions had been lifted.
In response, Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, discussed ongoing challenges with employment visas. He acknowledged delays for unskilled workers but reassured the committee that skilled laborers continue to receive visas without issues. Mahmood added that negotiations with UAE authorities are actively underway to address the concerns.
Furthermore, Mahmood revealed that the UAE’s quota for Pakistani workers has increased from 1.6 million to 1.8 million. So far this year, 65,000 Pakistanis have traveled to the UAE for employment.
Senator Zeeshan Khanzada called for more transparency regarding visa restrictions, while Senator Nasir Butt criticized the difficulty in obtaining visit visas. Mahmood clarified that visit visas are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasized the importance of better training for Pakistani workers to meet UAE’s labor needs.
Earlier, UAE Consul General Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi addressed rumors of a visa ban, clarifying that no such ban exists. He highlighted the significant role that social media activity plays in the UAE’s visa approval process.
