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Events / Geopolitical / UAE Halts Visas for Pakistanis
International visa restrictions

UAE Halts Visas for Pakistanis

Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Nov 27, 2025 · Last updated Nov 28, 2025

Sentiment
-60
Attention
4
Articles
6
Market Impact
General
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the Ergen Dashboard
Market Impact

The visa restrictions imposed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Pakistan are expected to negatively impact the labor market for Pakistani nationals seeking employment in the Gulf region. This could lead to a decrease in remittances to Pakistan and affect the travel and tourism industries in both the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.

Travel Labor Diplomacy
Event Summary

The United Arab Emirates has halted the issuance of most visas to Pakistani nationals, a move confirmed by Pakistani officials and linked to concerns over criminal activities by Pakistani visitors. This restriction, which has been ongoing for months despite diplomatic discussions, affects all major visa categories except for blue and diplomatic passports. Saudi Arabia has also imposed similar restrictions and police verification requirements for Pakistani travelers. The issue has been building since July, with widespread visa rejections reported by Pakistanis. India has also revoked all existing visas for Pakistani nationals and suspended further visa services. These developments are expected to significantly impact the over 800,000 Pakistanis who apply for visas to Gulf and Middle Eastern countries annually for employment and economic opportunities.

Entities Involved
per
Salman Chaudhry
Salman Chaudhry, Additional Interior Secretary of Pakistan, confirmed the visa halt by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the difficulty of reversing such bans.
Importance 60.0 Sentiment -10.0
per
Samina Mumtaz Zehri
Samina Mumtaz Zehri, chairperson of Pakistan's Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, confirmed the United Arab Emirates' visa restrictions, attributing them to criminal activities by Pakistani visitors.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment -10.0
per
Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Lt Gen, assured Mohsin Naqvi of 'full support' regarding visa issues, but the restrictions were not reversed.
Importance 30.0 Sentiment -10.0
per
Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi
Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, had previously claimed visa issues were resolved and a five-year visa was accessible, a statement later contradicted by Pakistani officials.
Importance 30.0 Sentiment -10.0
per
Mohsin Naqvi
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Pakistan
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
United Arab Emirates
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
Saudi Arabia
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
cnt
India
Importance 0.0 Sentiment 0.0
Relationships
Mohsin Naqvi related ↔ Pakistan
Mohsin Naqvi related ↔ United Arab Emirates
Mohsin Naqvi related ↔ Saudi Arabia
Mohsin Naqvi related ↔ India
Pakistan debtor ↔ United Arab Emirates Pakistan faces a strained relationship with the UAE, marked by a failure to secure a $3.5 billion debt rollover, visa re
Pakistan ally ↔ Saudi Arabia Pakistan relies heavily on Saudi Arabia for macroeconomic stability through billions in central bank deposits and oil fi
Pakistan adversary ↔ India Pakistan considers India its primary existential and military threat, responding to India's suspension of water-sharing
United Arab Emirates strained-partners ↔ Saudi Arabia The United Arab Emirates maintains deep historical ties with Saudi Arabia but is increasingly asserting its geopolitical
United Arab Emirates related ↔ India
Saudi Arabia related ↔ India
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