Rumours swirl over silent cancellation of long-held UAE Golden Visas for senior Pakistanis.
ISLAMABAD: Unverified social media claims suggest the United Arab Emirates has quietly begun cancelling Golden Visas of Pakistani nationals, including those in high positions who have resided there for over two decades, but official confirmation remains absent.
Pakistani media outlets and online platforms recently circulated reports alleging that several Pakistanis holding prestigious roles in the UAE faced sudden visa revocations without prior notice, forcing them to leave the country. These accounts describe a discreet process targeting long-term residents, yet no formal statement from UAE authorities or Pakistan’s Foreign Office has substantiated the claims.
The UAE Golden Visa programme, launched to attract investors, professionals and talents, grants 5 to 10-year renewable residencies. Eligibility often requires substantial real estate investment of at least Dh2 million or high salary thresholds around Dh30,000 monthly for certain categories. Thousands of Pakistanis have benefited, contributing to the roughly 1.6 million Pakistani expatriates forming one of the largest communities in the Gulf nation.
Recent Pakistani Senate testimony from November 2025 revealed that the UAE had halted issuance of regular visit and work visas to ordinary Pakistani passport holders. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry informed the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights that only blue and diplomatic passport bearers received approvals, citing concerns over criminal activities, begging and overstays linked to some travellers.
No data indicates mass cancellation of existing Golden Visas for Pakistanis. Similar unconfirmed rumours targeted Iranian nationals in March 2026 amid regional tensions, with reports of residency revocations for those abroad, yet the UAE Foreign Ministry described such claims as inaccurate and affirmed the Iranian community’s role in society.
Pakistanis constitute a significant portion of UAE’s workforce in construction, hospitality and business sectors. Official figures from past years show remittances from the UAE to Pakistan exceeding billions of dollars annually, underscoring deep economic ties. Any disruption to residency permits could impact bilateral trade, which has grown steadily despite occasional visa frictions.
Travel agents and expatriate forums report heightened scrutiny on Pakistani applications since late 2025, with rejection rates rising for new visas. However, current Golden Visa holders appear unaffected in renewal processes, according to anecdotal accounts and absence of policy announcements. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security maintains strict oversight but has not issued directives on nationality-specific cancellations.
Regional media in Pakistan amplified the Golden Visa cancellation narrative through unverified videos and posts, often linking it to broader visa restrictions. International outlets have not covered any such targeted action against Pakistanis, focusing instead on general visa policy updates or temporary freezes affecting multiple nationalities.
UAE officials have previously denied rumours of lifetime Golden Visas or discriminatory schemes, emphasising merit-based approvals. In 2025, the programme saw adjustments, including potential salary hikes and category reviews, with a reported temporary freeze on new federal approvals lasting several months into 2026 before possible resumption.
Experts note that visa policies evolve with security and economic priorities. The UAE continues attracting global talent through Golden Visas for doctors, engineers, investors and creatives, while tightening entry for categories prone to misuse. For Pakistan, ongoing dialogue between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi aims to address concerns, though no breakthrough on regular visa resumption has been publicly detailed.
Expatriates advise monitoring official ICP portals and consulting legal experts before travel or renewal. False rumours can cause unnecessary panic among the diaspora, many of whom have built lives and businesses over 20 years.
While tensions over visa issuance persist, the specific claim of silent Golden Visa cancellations for senior Pakistanis lacks official backing. Stakeholders await clear communication from both governments to clarify the situation and prevent misinformation from straining longstanding people-to-people and economic relations.