In-Depth Coverage: UAE Freezes Visas for Unskilled Pakistan Nationals
Pakistanis rank as the second-largest national group in the United Arab Emirates, comprising over 10 percent of the Gulf nation’s population. However, there are emerging concerns as reports indicate a surge in visa rejections for individuals from Pakistan.
While unverified, there are claims suggesting that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily halted the issuance of labor visas for unskilled Pakistani workers, citing undisclosed reasons. The Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association expressed dismay, describing the unskilled visa ban as a cause for distress among those seeking employment opportunities in the UAE.
According to Adnan Paracha, a spokesperson for the association, the UAE Immigration Department implemented the ban without providing any specific reasons. He noted that job applications are now being turned down in light of this new policy, posing a potential hardship for the working class in Pakistan, a country already grappling with economic challenges.
Paracha emphasized that Pakistan receives remittances exceeding $450 million from the UAE each month, highlighting the significant financial impact this visa restriction could have on the people of Pakistan.
This development coincides with the UAE’s recent decision to ban the issuance of Dubai visit visas to residents of 20 nations, citing concerns related to overstaying and illegal employment. Some reports suggest that the rejection of visas for Pakistani residents may be linked to specific backgrounds.
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These reports have sparked concerns within the large Pakistani community in the UAE, which stands as one of the largest and most influential expatriate communities in the region. Over the years, the Pakistani diaspora has played a vital role in the UAE’s workforce, attracted by employment opportunities and a better quality of life.
Earlier this year, Pakistani officials in the Gulf dismissed similar reports as baseless, asserting that there was no ban on Pakistani nationals seeking visit visas for the Gulf nation.