ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Sunday that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to implement mutual visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries.
The agreement reflects the longstanding and robust relationship between Pakistan and the UAE, which share deep diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a key source of remittances, with a sizable Pakistani expatriate community residing there.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dar confirmed that the visa waiver agreement with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been officially activated. He described the move as a symbol of goodwill between the “two brotherly countries.”
“I have been informed by the UAE authorities that the visa waiver for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders traveling to the United Arab Emirates is now in effect at all UAE airports, starting July 25, 2025,” Dar stated.
He further explained that both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the arrangement, which became operational 30 days after its signing. As part of the reciprocal agreement, visa-free entry has also been activated for UAE diplomatic and official passport holders at all Pakistani airports.
Read Top Stories
Earlier this month, UAE Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan assured full support in streamlining visa processing for Pakistani citizens. His statement came during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
During the meeting, Minister Naqvi stressed the need for relaxed visa policies, stating: “We want Pakistani citizens to be able to travel to the UAE with ease. Easing visa restrictions will offer tremendous relief.”
The recent agreement builds on progress made in June, when Pakistan and the UAE signed an MoU on mutual visa exemptions during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).