Pakistani Travellers to UAE Now Require Police Verification

A Senate panel was informed on Monday that all Pakistani travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must now undergo police verification prior to departure.

This measure follows increasing dissatisfaction among Middle Eastern countries regarding the rising number of Pakistanis involved in begging, prompting authorities to enhance passenger screening. Travel agents reported that UAE authorities are also rejecting visa applications from individuals unable to demonstrate sufficient financial resources as “genuine visitors.”

During a Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development meeting on UAE visa issues, particularly for employment visas, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment Director General Muhammad Tayyab stated,

“No case of traveling to the UAE will now proceed without police verification.”

He added that travel agents had been instructed accordingly.

Committee Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada highlighted the urgency of resolving these visa-related challenges, noting that public frustration was growing. He pointed out that while visa agents claim to meet all requirements, visas are still being denied, and called for clear updates on compliance measures and a timeline for addressing the situation.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) Secretary Arshad Mahmood clarified that these measures do not amount to a complete visa ban. He emphasized that there are no restrictions for skilled workers and explained that the recent decline in demand primarily affects unskilled labor.

Mahmood also noted that approximately 700,000 Pakistani workers have gone abroad this year and stressed the importance of focusing on sending more skilled labor to international markets. Meanwhile, committee members expressed concerns about the ongoing challenges and called for transparency in addressing these issues.