There is no official visa ban on Pakistanis from the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the National Assembly on Wednesday, though admitted scrutiny had increased due to the actions of some Pakistani travelers.
In a letter submitted to a query of MNA Nafisa Shah, the ministry said the U.A.E. Embassy had informed it that their relevant federal authority had introduced a new five-year visa policy. Under this policy, it said, applicants must provide round-trip tickets, hotel bookings, proof of property ownership (if applicable), and a down payment of AED 3,000.
According to the ministry, there has been increased scrutiny of Pakistani visa applicants in recent months due to several factors, including incidents of individuals submitting fake degrees, diplomas, and fraudulent employment contracts. It said some Pakistani nationals had also overstayed their visas, while others were implicated in political and criminal activities.
Additionally, said the ministry, the U.A.E. had raised concerns about some Pakistani nationals misusing social media, which had also boosted the restrictions placed on the issuance of visas. It said the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi had addressed these issues with the U.A.E. authorities at both the ministerial and undersecretary levels.
There has been mounting concern about the rejection of visas for Pakistanis wishing to travel to the U.A.E. Amidst claims of job losses, lawmakers have ramped up questions over whether the ban is a result of official policy.