Visa waiver for specific Pakistani passport holders begins at all airports across UAE
In a significant step forward in their close relationship, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan have activated a visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The agreement, finalized during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025, came into effect on July 25, 2025.
The visa waiver is reciprocal, meaning that diplomatic and official passport holders from both countries can enter each other's territory without a visa. This arrangement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the visa exemption becoming effective 30 days after signing.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed the announcement in a statement on social media platform X. The agreement was reached during a meeting with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This visa waiver reflects the strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as acknowledging the large Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE. Over 1.7 million Pakistanis reside and work in the UAE, contributing significantly to the country's economy.
The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE JMC took place in Abu Dhabi in the last week of July. The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, including finance, trade, and security.
Waheed Abbas, Assistant Editor, focuses on real estate, aviation, and business stories impacting UAE consumers. He often reports human interest stories in addition to his regular coverage. This article also mentions related developments such as the UAE and Pakistan signing a visa exemption agreement for some passport holders, the UAE condemning a terrorist attack on buses in Pakistan, discussions on enhancing cooperation in financial fields, and the ongoing relationship between the two countries.
It is important to note that this visa waiver applies only to diplomatic and official passport holders and does not extend to ordinary passports. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from Pakistan visit the UAE annually, but they will still need to obtain visas as per the current procedures.
Since taking office, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made multiple visits to the UAE, further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two nations. As the UAE and Pakistan continue to cooperate and grow closer, it is expected that more such initiatives will be taken to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
- Waheed Abbas, focusing on real estate, aviation, and business news, also reports on the UAE-Pakistan visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
- The UAE-Pakistan agreement on visa waiver is a testament to the countries' strong economic ties, considering the significant contribution of the Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE's economy.
- The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Abu Dhabi discussed boosting cooperation in various sectors, including finance and trade.
- While tourists from Pakistan visiting the UAE still need to obtain visas, the visa waiver agreement applies only to diplomatic and official passport holders. This development supports the growing bilateral relations between the two nations.
