Pakistan’s ambassador denies suspension of UAE 48 and 96 hour transit visas

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Shafqat Ali Khan, on Friday refuted reports that the UAE had suspended 48- and 96-hour transit visas for Pakistani nationals.

“It’s not true,” he said, responding to inquiries about claims circulating on social media. The short-term transit visas, sponsored by UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways, require prior processing and approval before entry for travelers not eligible for visa-on-arrival or visa-free access, according to UAE government sources.

Screenshots and posts on social platforms had suggested the visas were “temporarily suspended,” prompting concern among Pakistani travelers.

Past visa issues between the two countries have fueled such reports. In January 2025, Overseas Employment Promoter Aisam Baig informed the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that some UAE visas were “unofficially closed” due to concerns over Pakistanis on visit visas engaging in begging. Senate Committee Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada clarified that work visas remained unaffected.

Visa challenges persisted through the year. In April 2025, UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi confirmed five-year visas were available. In July, reports of visa rejections prompted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to meet his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who assured expedited processing for Pakistani citizens.

On November 27, 2025, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry told a Senate committee that the UAE was not issuing certain visas, though no formal ban on Pakistani passports existed. That same day, UAE Ambassador Salem Al-Zaabi shared with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb a package of “major visa facilitation reforms” for Pakistanis, including online applications, e-visas without passport stamping, and faster system-to-system processing.

Most recently, Pakistan and the UAE agreed to pursue a formal arrangement for “pre-immigration clearance” allowing Pakistani travelers to complete immigration formalities before departure, bypassing routine processing upon arrival in the UAE.

Officials emphasized that 48- and 96-hour transit visas remain valid, and travelers should follow existing procedures when arranging short-term entry.