Pakistani travellers are increasingly reporting unexplained visa refusals for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite submitting complete paperwork. Applicants say rejection rates have surged without any clear reason.
As highlighted by the report, the situation has grown more confusing because Pakistani officials claim that visas are largely not being issued, while UAE authorities insist there is no official ban. Meanwhile, countless travellers, from tourists to professionals to families, say repeated denials have derailed their plans.
One marketing professional shared that two consecutive rejections turned what was meant to be a short holiday into months of stress, and was told that applicants “under 40” were being scrutinized more closely.
Another applicant working for a multinational company said three conference visa applications were rejected. Although he eventually received a so-called “guaranteed visa” for a higher fee, his $1,200 application for a five-year multiple-entry visa was still refused, leaving him at a financial loss.
Travel agencies in Karachi confirm widespread denials but offer differing explanations. One agency estimates that 70–80% of first-time or single-entry visa applications are rejected, while family applications are far more likely to be approved. Another agency put the approval rate for individuals at just 20%, compared with nearly 80% for families.
Some agents say financial checks play a major role, suggesting that applicants with around Rs3 million in a six-month bank statement have better chances. Others point to previous overstays or unclear financial histories as common triggers for refusal.
On social media, many Pakistanis express frustration, reporting blocked transit visas, inconsistent instructions from visa centers, and claims that age, income, and profession influence decisions.
Official comments have only deepened the uncertainty. A senior Pakistani interior ministry official recently told a Senate committee that the UAE had stopped issuing most visa categories to Pakistani citizens, except diplomatic and blue passports. In contrast, a UAE embassy diplomat told Dawn that no such restriction exists.
With conflicting statements and no transparent standards, Pakistani travellers remain unsure about what criteria are currently being applied or how to successfully secure a UAE visa.