In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to take necessary steps to ease the visa issuance process for Pakistani citizens. The agreement was reached on July 11, 2025, during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UAE’s Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
This move comes at a time when many Pakistani nationals have faced delays and restrictions in securing UAE work visas - an issue that has been a growing concern for both governments.
The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates, making it one of the largest Pakistani communities abroad. The Gulf nation is also a top source of remittances for Pakistan, contributing billions annually to its economy.
By streamlining visa issuance, both countries aim to:
Facilitate employment opportunities for Pakistanis.
Boost the UAE workforce with skilled labor.
Strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Increase remittance flows to Pakistan’s economy.
During the meeting, Minister Naqvi emphasized that easier visa policies will greatly benefit Pakistanis seeking to work in the UAE. He noted that the Pakistani community plays a vital role in the UAE’s economic growth, from construction and manufacturing to technology and healthcare.
“We want Pakistani citizens to be able to come to the UAE easily, and easing visa policies will greatly benefit them,’ said Naqvi.
UAE’s Interior Minister assured full cooperation and expressed a shared interest in enhancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
Beyond visa facilitation, the talks included agreements to enhance cooperation in:
Joint efforts to combat organized crime.
Exchange of intelligence to strengthen internal security.
Collaborative strategies to curb cross-border drug trafficking.
Preventing illegal immigration through coordinated border security measures.
Using artificial intelligence for surveillance, predictive policing, and crime prevention.
Minister Naqvi also toured the UAE’s state-of-the-art police operations room, where he was briefed on:
Real-time crime prevention systems.
Public safety monitoring.
Advanced AI-based law enforcement tools.
He praised the UAE’s technology-driven policing model, calling it a benchmark for other countries.
This agreement has direct and indirect advantages for Pakistanis:
Faster visa processing for work permits.
Reduced rejection rates due to better government coordination.
Easier recruitment of Pakistani talent in UAE-based industries.
Streamlined onboarding processes for new employees.
Potential for easier family visit visas and reunification processes.
This development strengthens Pakistan-UAE relations, which have historically been close in:
Trade & Investment – The UAE is one of Pakistan’s biggest trading partners.
Defense Cooperation – Joint military training and exercises.
Cultural Exchange – Shared religious and cultural ties.
With enhanced visa policies, the people-to-people connection is expected to grow even stronger.
The UAE’s labor market is diverse, and Pakistani workers are in demand across several industries:
Construction & Infrastructure – Skilled and unskilled labor.
Hospitality & Tourism – Hotels, restaurants, and customer service.
Healthcare – Nurses, doctors, and technicians.
IT & Technology – Software development, cybersecurity, AI specialists.
Transportation & Logistics – Drivers, supply chain managers.
Retail & Sales – Store managers, sales representatives.
While this agreement is a major step forward, experts believe:
Implementation timelines will determine how quickly the benefits are seen.
Continued diplomatic engagement will be necessary to sustain progress.
Similar visa facilitation agreements may extend to education and business visas in the future.
Q1: When will the new visa policy take effect?
The announcement signals intent, but specific timelines will be set by both governments in the coming months.
Q2: Will it apply to all visa categories?
Initially, the focus is on work visas, but discussions on other categories are ongoing.
Q3: Will it reduce visa costs?
The agreement centers on process efficiency, but cost reductions depend on UAE’s domestic policies.
Q4: How will Pakistanis know when changes are implemented?
Updates will be issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and UAE’s immigration authorities.
Phone: +92 321 9966792
Email: info@dropvisa.pk
The Pakistan-UAE agreement to ease visa processes marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and supporting the large Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE.
For Pakistani workers, entrepreneurs, and families, this development could open the door to faster, more accessible opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic economies.
As both nations work toward implementing these changes, the hope is that this cooperation will benefit economies, enhance security, and reinforce the cultural bond between Pakistan and the UAE.