Pakistan Denies Reports of UAE Visa Ban on Its Nationals

Pakistan has pushed back against reports that the United Arab Emirates imposed a visa ban or broad restriction on Pakistani nationals. On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan told reporters that the UAE was still issuing visas and that delays or extra screening were not the same as a shutdown.

What was said

Khan argued the numbers did not support claims of a ban. Over the past five years, he said, the UAE repatriated roughly 7,000 to 8,000 Pakistanis on average, while 40,000 to 50,000 Pakistanis were employed and received UAE visas in the same period. "Jobs offered by the UAE to Pakistanis are seven times more than the actual number of repatriations," he said, framing that gap as evidence the complaints did not match reality.

Both Islamabad and Abu Dhabi have maintained there is no official ban. Pakistani officials have, however, acknowledged earlier complaints about slower processing and tighter screening, and applicants have reported longer waits.

Where things stand

By early August 2026, UAE visit visas for ordinary Pakistani passport holders had resumed through registered travel agencies, according to an official at the UAE embassy in Pakistan and travel-industry sources. That reopening happened more than a month before the September 10 briefing.

The process remains narrow. Applications move through registered agents, and screening stays part of the system. In other words, availability has returned, but the route is more controlled than an open self-service application.

What it means for nomads

For remote workers holding a Pakistani passport, the practical takeaway is that UAE visit visas are being issued again, but expect the process to run through approved agencies and to include added scrutiny. Build in extra time for processing and gather documentation carefully rather than assuming instant turnaround.

The broader lesson applies to anyone planning cross-border moves in the Gulf: informal reports of "bans" often reflect processing slowdowns or targeted enforcement rather than blanket policy. Before booking flights or accommodation, confirm current requirements with the relevant embassy or a registered agency, and treat unverified social-media claims with caution. Policies in this region can shift quickly, so checking official channels close to your travel date is the safest approach.

Originally reported by VisaVerge.