ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistani travellers are facing mounting uncertainty as visa rejections for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rise sharply, leaving many plans in limbo. Travel agents report that first-time and single-entry visa applications for Dubai are now being denied at rates between 70 and 80 percent, while applicants with family ties in the UAE have a comparatively higher chance of approval.
For 28-year-old Nadeem, a marketing professional from Lahore, the process has been exhausting. He applied for his first visit visa earlier this year, only to face repeated rejections — first in January, and again in November. “I don’t understand it. My age alone seems to be a factor, even though I have steady employment and submitted all necessary documents,” he told Dawn, reflecting the frustration shared by many young travellers.
Travel agencies confirm the trend, noting that single-entry visas often encounter stricter scrutiny, whereas family-linked applications see around 80 percent approval. According to agents, insufficient funds, unclear documentation, and prior overstays are among the most common reasons cited for rejection.
Officials and diplomats, however, emphasise that there is no formal ban on UAE visas for Pakistanis. A senior UAE embassy official noted that while issues with data tampering in past applications prompted stricter verification measures, a centralised visa system and biometric checks have since been introduced to ensure transparency.
Despite repeated assurances from the UAE government and reforms including online processing, e-visas, and system-to-system linkages, uncertainty continues to challenge travellers. Sports journalists, corporate employees, and first-time leisure visitors alike report delays, multiple rejections, and high costs — highlighting the opaque nature of the current process.
“The entire experience feels like a lottery — you never know whether your application will be accepted or not,” Nadeem said. “It’s stressful, costly, and leaves you constantly unsure about travel plans, work, and finances.”
The situation underscores the tension between maintaining strict immigration standards and facilitating legitimate travel, a balancing act that continues to impact thousands of Pakistanis seeking short-term visas to the UAE.
