ISLAMABAD / DUBAI – A sharp spike in UAE visit-visa rejections has left thousands of Pakistani travellers stranded in uncertainty, intensifying concerns over tightened immigration scrutiny and inconsistent processing practices across the Emirates.
According to travel agents and applicants, up to 70–80 percent of Pakistani visit-visa submissions particularly first-time and single-entry applications — are being rejected without clear explanations. Young travellers under 40, single men and applicants without strong travel histories or family ties in the UAE appear most affected.
The wave of rejections has triggered widespread frustration, financial losses and major disruptions in travel plans, with many applicants saying they have never experienced such unpredictability before.
Sudden Shift in Policy Leaves Travellers Confused
Pakistan’s Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry recently informed a Senate committee that the UAE had “stopped issuing visas” to most Pakistani nationals. However, UAE officials later denied the existence of any formal ban, insisting that visas are still being issued — albeit with intensified background checks and stricter screening protocols.
This contradictory messaging has added to public confusion, leaving many unsure whether the issue is temporary, selective or part of a broader crackdown linked to concerns over overstays and misuse of visit visas.
Genuine Travellers Also Affected
The heightened scrutiny has not only targeted suspicious applicants; professionals, journalists, entrepreneurs and frequent travellers say they too have faced rejections without explanation.
Several individuals shared experiences of repeated refusals despite providing strong financial documentation, confirmed accommodation, return tickets and valid employment credentials. Applicants often received generic rejection reasons such as “documentation discrepancy,” offering no clarity on what must be corrected.
Human and Financial Cost Mounts
For many Pakistani families, the UAE is a primary destination for tourism, business, and family visits. The ongoing visa issues have led to:
- Lost money on non-refundable tickets and bookings
- Cancelled business commitments
- Distress among families hoping to reunite with relatives
- Uncertainty for travellers with urgent medical or professional obligations
Travel agents report that they are now advising clients to delay plans unless they have strong family sponsorship or previous UAE travel history.
UAE Visa Centre in Karachi Active — But Rejections Persist
Despite a new UAE Visa Centre processing hundreds of applications daily, rejection rates remain high. Officials say the centre aims to streamline processing but acknowledge that enhanced verification measures are still causing delays.
What Travellers Should Know
Experts recommend that applicants:
- Submit complete and verifiable financial documents
- Avoid agents offering “guaranteed visas”
- Prefer family-sponsored visas, which currently have better approval rates
- Prepare for longer processing times
Until authorities in Islamabad and Abu Dhabi clarify the reasons behind the spike, many Pakistani travellers remain stuck in uncertainty — waiting for a window to reopen.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.