The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resumed issuing visit visas to Pakistani citizens applying through registered travel agencies, easing months of uncertainty for travelers, according to Arab News, citing travel industry representatives and a UAE embassy official.
The development is expected to improve travel between Pakistan and the UAE, where around 1.8 million Pakistanis live and work. The Gulf nation also remains one of Pakistan’s largest sources of remittances.
Travel industry officials said the biggest improvement has been seen in family visit visa applications, which had previously faced lengthy processing delays.
Muhammad Nadeem Sharif, Chief Executive of Aroma Travels and former chairman of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, said Pakistani families traveling together or joining relatives in the UAE are now receiving visa decisions more quickly.
According to Pakistani immigration officials, daily passenger traffic from Pakistan to Dubai has increased to around 400 travelers per day by the end of July, up from approximately 170 passengers per day earlier this summer.
He added that tourism campaigns have resumed and passenger traffic is gradually recovering after disruptions caused by recent regional tensions.
However, current travel volumes remain well below the roughly 1,000 daily passengers recorded two years ago.
Travel Agents Association of Pakistan representative Muhammad Hanif Rinch also confirmed that visa approvals have improved, particularly for family applications, after years of high rejection rates for individual applicants.
A UAE embassy official in Pakistan confirmed that visit visas are being issued to ordinary Pakistani passport holderswho apply through registered travel agents.
The official said previous delays were linked to safety and security concerns but noted that applicants with complete documentation can now submit applications without major difficulties.
The easing of visa processing follows months of tighter scrutiny by UAE authorities.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry had previously informed Parliament that some applicants submitted forged academic degrees, diplomas, and employment contracts, while others faced legal action in the UAE over criminal offenses, unauthorized political activities, and misuse of social media.
As a result, UAE authorities introduced stricter background checks and documentation requirements, which remain in place despite the resumption of visit visa processing.
