The UAE has confirmed there is no official visa ban on Pakistani nationals, as stated in a recent letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new five-year visa policy requires specific documentation from applicants. Increased scrutiny results from issues like fraud and misuse of social media. Pakistan’s Embassy is actively addressing these concerns with UAE officials.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently clarified that there is no official ban on issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. This confirmation came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a letter to the National Assembly, prompted by an inquiry from Dr. Nafisa Shah regarding visa policies for Pakistani nationals. The UAE has implemented a new five-year visa policy that requires applicants to submit specific documentation including round-trip tickets, hotel reservations, proof of property ownership if relevant, and a down payment of AED 3,000.
Several factors have contributed to the heightened scrutiny of visa applications from Pakistan, including cases of individuals presenting fraudulent degrees and employment contracts. Additionally, some applicants have overstayed their visas and have been involved in various political and criminal incidents. Concerns have also arisen about certain community members misusing social media, which has prompted further vigilance from UAE authorities.
The Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi has actively communicated these concerns to UAE officials, engaging in discussions at both ministerial and under-secretary levels. Furthermore, officials from Pakistan’s Middle East Division have been consistently addressing these matters with the UAE Embassy in Islamabad. To facilitate smoother visa processes, the MoFA ensures timely submission of recommendation letters to the UAE Embassy.
In conclusion, the UAE has formally stated that there is no visa ban on Pakistani citizens, although increased vigilance and a new visa policy contribute to more stringent application processes. Factors such as fraudulent documentation and misuse of social media have led to this caution. The Pakistan Embassy continues to engage with UAE authorities to improve the visa facilitation experience for applicants.
Original Source: www.geo.tv
