Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to introduce a pre-immigration clearance system that will allow Pakistani passengers to complete immigration formalities before departing for the UAE, a move aimed at significantly reducing waiting times on arrival.
The Pakistan Interior Ministry said on Monday that a formal Pre-Immigration Clearance agreement will be signed between the two countries. Once implemented, Pakistani travelers will be able to clear immigration procedures in Pakistan and exit UAE airports without undergoing routine immigration checks, similar to domestic passengers.
Agreement discussed during high-level meeting
The announcement followed a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and introducing measures to ease travel for passengers.
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According to the ministry, Pakistan and the UAE have agreed to launch the system on a pilot basis, with Karachi selected as the first location. Under the arrangement, Pakistani authorities will handle immigration and related clearances for UAE-bound passengers before departure.
Faster processing and improved travel experience
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the initiative would simplify travel, reduce congestion at airports, and improve the overall passenger experience for travelers heading to the UAE. The UAE delegation welcomed the proposal and assured full cooperation for its implementation.
The ministry did not announce a date for the signing of the agreement. However, it said both sides have instructed relevant authorities to continue coordination to finalize the administrative and technical framework of the pilot project. Officials plan to expand the system to other cities after its successful rollout.
