Once again, there are reports circulating that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ceased issuing visit visas to residents from various cities in Pakistan.
According to these reports, the UAE government has temporarily suspended visa issuance for residents of cities such as Kohat, Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad, Skardu, Larkana, DG Khan, and others. Interestingly, local travel agents have endorsed these reports without official confirmation.
One travel agent suggested that when residents of a particular city are involved in illegal activities or overstay their visas, the UAE government may halt visa issuance to that city for several months. However, a Pakistani official in the UAE has dismissed these reports as unfounded. Speaking to the local media outlet WE News, the official stated that there are no hindrances for Pakistani nationals in obtaining visit visas.
Furthermore, he mentioned that if an individual applies for a visa with all the required documents in order, they typically receive their visa within 10 to 15 days.
In a conversation with ProPakistani, an international travel agent clarified the situation, saying, "We were facing rejections from the immigration department for Pakistani nationals residing in Pakistan. That's why we have changed the country of residence."
Similar reports circulated last year and were widely covered by local media, but the Consulate General of the UAE in Karachi, Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, refuted those reports.