In a major diplomatic development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially enabled Pakistani nationals to obtain a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. The announcement was made by UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, following a high-level meeting with Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori in Karachi on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. This move comes after months of concerns over visa rejections and increased scrutiny for Pakistani travelers.
Visa Access Without Host or Guarantor
According to the UAE’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, the five-year visa allows holders to make multiple trips to the UAE from the date of issue without needing a guarantor or local host. This flexible arrangement is expected to benefit Pakistani tourists, business travelers, and families with ties in the UAE.
“Visa issues have been resolved. Pakistanis can get a five-year visa,” stated Ambassador Zaabi during the meeting, as per a press release from the Governor’s House. He also extended an invitation to the governor to visit the visa centre at the UAE Consulate in Karachi.
Governor Tessori expressed gratitude towards the UAE government for their continued investment in Sindh, particularly Karachi. The ambassador, in turn, commended ongoing infrastructure and development projects led by the governor’s office.
This positive diplomatic gesture follows months of tension caused by UAE’s heightened scrutiny of Pakistani travelers due to rising reports of misuse of visit visas and unlawful activities such as street begging. According to a Senate committee briefing in December, all Pakistani travelers to the UAE were required to be vetted and verified by police authorities, with strict instructions issued to travel agents.
Previous Restrictions and Clarifications
While rumors of a ban had circulated, UAE officials have repeatedly emphasized that there is no formal ban on visas for Pakistani citizens. In a November 2024 interview with Geo News, UAE Consul-General in Karachi, Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, noted that visa rejections may have been influenced by “negative social media activities” from certain individuals, particularly influencers using platforms like TikTok inappropriately while in the UAE.
He also confirmed that although visit visas were under tighter scrutiny, work visas for Pakistanis remained unaffected. In January 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis reaffirmed that there were no restrictions on employment-related entry to the UAE. The restoration of visa facilitation signals a new chapter in UAE-Pakistan relations, offering renewed opportunities for travel, business, and cultural exchange. As both governments continue to collaborate on immigration and economic development, Pakistani nationals can now plan extended visits with greater ease and clarity. Stakeholders are hopeful that this decision will help strengthen ties between the two nations and pave the way for smoother bilateral engagement.
For official information regarding the United Arab Emirates’ five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, you can visit the UAE Government’s official portal .
