The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resumed issuing visit visas for Pakistani citizens who apply through registered travel agents, providing relief to applicants who had faced months of delays and uncertainty.
According to travel industry representatives and an official at the UAE Embassy, the decision marks a significant easing of visa processing for Pakistani travelers. The move is expected to benefit families, tourists, and individuals planning to visit relatives in the UAE, which is home to nearly 1.8 million Pakistanis.
Families Among the Biggest Beneficiaries
Travel industry officials say the biggest improvement has been seen in family visa applications, which had previously experienced lengthy processing times and additional scrutiny. Applications submitted through authorized travel agents are now being processed more smoothly and within shorter timeframes.
Muhammad Nadeem Sharif, Chief Executive of Aroma Travels and former chairman of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, said the UAE Embassy in Islamabad has started issuing visit visas to Pakistani families, describing the development as a positive step for travelers.
He added that applicants traveling with family members or joining relatives already living in the UAE are receiving responses more quickly. Tourism promotion activities have also resumed, while passenger movement is gradually returning to normal following recent regional tensions.
Passenger Numbers Show Recovery
A senior Pakistani immigration official, speaking to Arab News on condition of anonymity, said the number of daily passengers traveling from Pakistan to Dubai has increased significantly.
According to the official, daily departures rose from around 170 passengers earlier this summer to nearly 400 by the final week of July, indicating growing travel demand after the easing of visa restrictions.
The UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Pakistani expatriates, making the restoration of visit visa processing an important development for families, tourists, and business travelers.
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