If you are a Pakistani citizen, you have probably heard that the UAE has banned visitation visas for citizens of Pakistan from certain cities. Hopefully, this news is just a temporary setback, but for now, you will have to find another way to visit Dubai.
Work visa ban for Pakistani citizens in the UAE.
In November of last year, UAE banned work visas for Pakistani nationals, which led to much discussion in Pakistan. The UAE government later lifted the ban.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Pakistan's second-largest source of foreign remittances, and Pakistanis in the UAE remit billions of dollars annually. These remittances are crucial for Pakistan's economy. It's important to note that the visa ban will also affect Pakistani citizens in other countries.
After the announcement, a few analysts speculated that security reasons caused the visa restrictions. They believe that the UAE authorities decided in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, UAE officials have assured Pakistan that the ban will not last.
While the UAE visa ban was initially announced, the spokesman for the Foreign Office also talked about the suspension of visit visas. He said the spokesman was referring to the Foreign Office's statement that a visit visa was suspended due to the Covid-19 situation.
The spokesman said the visa suspension was in effect for a short period. However, he added that the UAE government was unwilling to provide information about the reasons behind the ban.
Even though the UAE did not confirm the existence of a work visa ban, the minister for labor and employment confirmed that the UAE had banned the issuance of work visas to Pakistani citizens.
Travel ban for citizens of Pakistan with birth certificates
If you're planning a trip to the UAE, there are some things you should know before you get on the plane. Aside from security concerns, you'll also need to know about the visa requirements and where to look for them.
The best way to learn about the requirements for a trip to the UAE is to check with your travel agent or the local UAE Embassy. The rules and regulations for a visit to the country are subject to change, so check with your embassy ahead of time.
First of all, you'll need a valid passport for the duration of your stay. If you plan to stay longer, you should consider buying a medical evacuation policy. Also, take malaria medication, and it may be wise to start taking it a few days before you leave and continue taking it during your trip.
You'll also need to fill out a visa application form available at the embassy or on the Internet. Ensure you include all the required contact information, such as your telephone numbers. Don't forget to fill out the "Visa Requirements" section in your visa application form.
Finally, you should know that the most efficient way to get a visa is through your local embassy. But don't expect a quick response if you ask a travel agent to handle it.
Prohibited areas in the UAE
If you are planning a visit to the UAE, you need to know that the government has banned entry into certain areas of the country for citizens of these 24 Pakistani cities. The reason for this is said to be the activities of an "agent mafia." These agents misrepresent the residents of these cities as being on work visas and send them to work in the UAE illegally.
According to reports, some banned cities include Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Attock, Skardu, Sheikhupura, Abbottabad, Muzaffargarh, and Sahiwal. In addition, the UAE government has also added Hunza and Bajaur Agency to the list of banned cities.
Although the exact reasons behind the ban are still unclear, many political pundits believe Pakistan's foreign policy flip-flops prompted the ban. Some have also argued that the UAE government has imposed restrictions on its citizens due to security concerns.
It is worth noting that the UAE is home to the second largest Pakistani diaspora in the world, after Saudi Arabia. Pakistanis remit billions of dollars every year. However, they may find it difficult to get jobs in the UAE.
It is estimated that there are around 1.6 million Pakistani ex-pats in the UAE. Due to the lack of work visas, many have returned to their native countries, leading to a surge of people traveling on visit visas.
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