United Arab Emirates reinstates multiple-visit tourist visas valid for five years for Pakistani citizens.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently reinstated five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for Pakistani nationals, following a series of diplomatic discussions and efforts to address visa-related issues between the two countries.
The decision, announced by UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, is expected to boost tourism and people-to-people ties between the UAE and Pakistan. This move comes after months of scrutiny and unofficial restrictions that had affected Pakistani travellers.
Key reasons for reinstating the five-year visa include the resolution of prior visa restrictions, bilateral diplomatic efforts, the economic and social importance of Pakistanis in the UAE, and broader strategic cooperation.
There had been reports of a sharp decline in UAE visa approvals for Pakistanis, attributed to concerns about some Pakistani expatriates’ lack of respect for local laws and involvement in political activities abroad, as well as issues with documentation and criminal records.
Meetings between high-level officials such as Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and UAE Ambassador Al-Zaabi helped clarify and resolve these concerns, culminating in the reinstatement of the five-year visa facility.
With about 1.5 to 2 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE—the second-largest expatriate group after Indians—and the UAE being Pakistan’s second-largest source of foreign remittances, maintaining strong mobility and labor ties is a priority for both countries.
Other related visa facilitation measures include the UAE activating visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders from July 25, 2025, based on a bilateral agreement signed in June 2025, indicating improved mutual trust and cooperation at official levels.
The UAE is emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior and compliance with host country regulations while easing travel restrictions for Pakistani nationals. The new visa policy allows individuals to make several trips to the UAE over five years without the need for a local guarantor or host.
Sindh Governor Tessori expressed gratitude for the UAE’s continued investment in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, and appreciated Ambassador Al-Zaabi’s recognition of ongoing provincial development projects.
The UAE’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs is responsible for implementing this new visa policy. Ambassador Al-Zaabi extended an invitation to Sindh Governor Tessori to visit the UAE visa centre in Karachi.
This development is being viewed as a positive step forward in strengthening UAE-Pakistan bilateral relations and fostering greater mobility between the two nations. In November 2021, UAE's Consul-General in Karachi, Dr Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, acknowledged that visa rejections for Pakistanis might be linked to negative behavior on social media, particularly TikTok.
[1] Gulf News. (2025, August 5). UAE reinstates five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for Pakistanis. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/uae/uae-reinstates-five-year-multiple-entry-tourist-visas-for-pakistanis-1.1647244348302
[2] The Express Tribune. (2025, July 27). UAE activates visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic, official passport holders. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2367414/uae-activates-visa-exemption-for-pakistani-diplomatic-official-passport-holders
[3] The News International. (2025, August 8). UAE reinstates five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for Pakistanis. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1004263-uae-reinstates-five-year-multiple-entry-tourist-visas-for-pakistanis
[4] Dawn. (2025, August 6). UAE reinstates five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for Pakistanis. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/news/1647244/uae-reinstates-five-year-multiple-entry-tourist-visas-for-pakistanis
- The UAE's reinstatement of five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for Pakistanis is anticipated to stimulate tourism and strengthen relationships between the UAE and Pakistan, ultimately fostering increased cultural exchange and lifestyle opportunities for both nations.
- In collaboration with the UAE's General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, development projects in Karachi, such as those praised by Sindh Governor Tessori, may attract more investment from the UAE, further bolstering the travel and tourism industries in Pakistan.
- The implementation of this new visa policy in the UAE not only makes it easier for Pakistani nationals to travel but also encourages responsible behavior and adherence to local regulations, integrating them better into the host country's lifestyle.
