By Arsalan Khattak | Published: Nov 27, 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consul General in Karachi has strongly denied reports claiming that the UAE has stopped issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. He described these rumors as “completely false” and clarified that visa processing for Pakistanis is continuing normally across all categories. This clarification comes amid widespread UAE visa ban news for Pakistanis circulating on social media.
Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, the UAE Consul General in Karachi, spoke to Geo News and said that the UAE has not banned visas for Pakistani nationals, nor has it placed any new restrictions. He explained that the rumor circulating on social media and in certain news reports was based on misunderstanding and incorrect information, adding that the UAE visa ban for Pakistanis claims were unfounded.
Record Number of Applications Causing Delays — Not a Ban
The Consul General explained that the consulate is currently receiving a record-high number of visa applications, which is much larger than usual. According to him, the demand is so high that many applicants now have to book their appointments more than one month in advance.
He noted that this heavy rush is the highest volume the consulate has seen in the last three years. Because of the large number of people applying at the same time, the appointment slots get filled very quickly, which makes it appear as if visas are not being issued.
However, he made it clear that:
- All visa categories remain open
- Processing is ongoing
- Approvals are being issued every day
- No nationality-based ban exists
He said that the problem is simply high demand, not any kind of visa suspension. He also referred to the UAE visa news for Pakistan today to clarify that applications continue normally.
Background of the Rumor: A Statement That Caused Confusion
The panic and misinformation began after Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry made comments during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights. During that meeting, the official reportedly said that the UAE was not issuing visas to Pakistani citizens and that Pakistan’s passport had “barely escaped a ban” from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The statements were widely reported in the media and shared on social media platforms, causing immediate confusion and fear among applicants and overseas workers. Some news outlets reported the remarks without verification, which led to the rapid spread of the idea that a UAE visa update for Pakistan indicated a ban.
Following these viral reports, the number of calls to travel agencies and UAE visa centers increased sharply as people sought clarification.
UAE Envoy Firmly Rejects the Claims
To control the growing panic, the UAE Consulate issued a clear and strong public statement.
The Consul General stated:
“There is absolutely no visa ban on Pakistanis. Visas are being issued normally and without any restrictions.”
He further clarified:
- The UAE is issuing UAE visit visa for Pakistanis, employment visas, family visas, business visas, transit visas, and other categories without interruption.
- There is no special policy targeting Pakistani applicants.
- The UAE government has not issued any instructions to stop visa issuance for Pakistanis.
He specifically denied the claim that the UAE was allowing visas only for diplomatic and blue passport holders. He called that statement “incorrect and misleading,” dismissing UAE visa ban rumors as false.
How Social Media Made the Situation Worse
The rumor gained momentum after it spread quickly on platforms such as:
- TikTok
- X (Twitter)
Dozens of posts claimed that “UAE visas Pakistan are stopped” and “a ban is coming soon.” Many of these posts were shared with alarming captions and voice notes, which created unnecessary panic among the public.
Because people often believe forwarded messages more quickly than official announcements, misinformation circulated faster than verified news, spreading UAE visa misinformation. Within hours, the rumor became a trending topic in Pakistan.
Travel Agents Also Confirm Normal Visa Processing
After the UAE Consul General’s clarification, many travel agents and consultant offices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities also confirmed that visas were still being issued normally.
Some agencies even shared screenshots of newly approved visas received on the same day the rumors were circulating. They stated:
- UAE visit visa open for Pakistani today
- Work visas were being processed normally, confirming work visa for Pakistani people
- Family visas were being approved in expected timelines
Travel agents said the only issue was the appointment rush, not a suspension of services. They also referenced the UAE visa open for Pakistani people today , information provided officially.
The Real Reason Behind Appointment Delays
The UAE consulate explained that the reason people are facing delays is simple: too many people are applying at the same time.
Several major trends increased visa demand:
- Winter travel season
- Holiday tourism and New Year plans
- Job contract renewals, including UAE employment visa for Pakistan
- Business exhibitions and events in the UAE
- Increased employment opportunities, highlighting UAE work visa for Pakistanis
- Families planning visits during school holidays
Because of this, the appointment system often shows “no slots available,” which can be mistaken for a visa ban. But the system is only fully booked, not closed.
To address this issue, the consulate has added more staff and plans to open additional appointment slots soon.
Pakistani Workers in UAE Are Not Affected
The UAE Consulate made it clear that the millions of Pakistanis already working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates are not affected by any restrictions.
They confirmed that:
- Work permits are being renewed on time.
- Labour approvals are continuing normally.
- No new instructions have been given to employers to stop hiring Pakistanis.
The UAE remains one of the largest employers of Pakistani workers, and nothing has changed in that regard.
UAE and Pakistan Enjoy Strong Diplomatic and Economic Relations
The Consul General also highlighted that Pakistan and the UAE share strong historical, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE hosts more than 1.6 million Pakistani expatriates, who play a significant role in the country’s workforce.
He stated that the UAE values its relationship with Pakistan and considers Pakistani workers as important contributors to the UAE’s development. He said rumors of a visa ban do not reflect the reality of the strong friendship between the two nations and confirmed UAE embassy Pakistan visa news is normal.
Why Such Rumors Cause Serious Problems
Experts say that inaccurate information about visa policies can create major problems, including:
- Panic among overseas workers
- Delays in travel planning
- Extra burden on visa counters and agencies
- Fear among families planning visits
- Misunderstanding between countries
The Consul General emphasized that the UAE had a responsibility to correct the false information quickly to stop damage caused by visa misinformation.
Government Expected to Issue Clarification
Many analysts believe that the Pakistani government may release a follow-up statement to correct misunderstandings created by the Senate committee remarks. Such a clarification would help calm the public and ensure that Pakistan’s official stance matches the UAE visa news for Pakistan.
Officials say that misunderstandings during meetings can occur when information is incomplete or based on unverified reports. A clear statement from Pakistan’s side would help remove confusion in the future.
Lessons From the Incident: Trust Official Sources
This incident has highlighted an important lesson for the public: always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it.
The UAE Consul General advised people to:
- Check the UAE Embassy’s official announcements
- Follow verified government pages
- Avoid spreading unconfirmed social media posts
- Contact authorized visa centers for accurate information
He said that spreading rumors only creates unnecessary stress among thousands of families who depend on UAE travel and employment.
UAE Consulate Assures Smooth and Continuous Service
The UAE Consul General ended his statement by assuring that the consulate is doing everything possible to manage the heavy demand. He said they are working long hours and adding more staff to handle the growing number of applications.
He again repeated:
“There is no visa ban on Pakistanis. Visa issuance continues as usual.”
This final statement brought relief to many applicants who were worried about the future of their travel and job plans.
Looking Ahead
The rumor of a “UAE visa ban news for Pakistanis” was based on misunderstanding and unverified statements. The UAE government has clearly rejected these claims and confirmed that all visa categories remain open for Pakistani citizens.
The real cause of appointment delays is the record-high number of applications, not a ban. Both the UAE consulate and travel agencies have reassured the public that visa processing is continuing normally, covering UAE tourist visa for Pakistanis, UAE visas Pakistan, UAE visa policy Pakistan, and UAE visa latest news.
As the situation stabilizes, officials from both countries are expected to work together to ensure smooth communication and prevent such misunderstandings in the future.
