Release date: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Pakistani nationals entering the UAE on visit visas will be screened at Pakistani airports and stopped there if they do not meet certain criteria, including hotel accommodation, sufficient funds and a return ticket, a senior official said on Wednesday.
Travel industry executives said tourists coming to the UAE on visit visas from Pakistan and other countries would need to provide a minimum of 3,000 dirhams, a return ticket, hotel accommodation or proof of residence with family. Those who do not meet these criteria will be denied entry and deported to their home countries.
Speaking at the celebrations of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day in Dubai, Pakistan Consul General for Dubai and Northern Emirates Hussain Muhammad, at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai, urged all 1.7 million Pakistani expatriates in the UAE to abide by and respect the local laws and traditions of their host country and contribute positively to the society.
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He stressed that the law is strictly enforced in the UAE and violators face fines and/or prison terms.
“All Pakistanis represent their country. They come to the UAE on visit visas but some do not fulfil the requirements for a visit visa… We have raised the visa issue and Pakistan’s FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) and airport authorities are working on it. Those who do not fulfil the requirements are stopped over there (at the airport),” Muhammad told Khaleej Times in an interview on Wednesday.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi had also advised Pakistanis not to look for jobs while visiting the UAE on tourist visas.
“Pakistanis coming to the UAE on a visit visa should prepare a round-trip air ticket, a fund of Dh3,000 and hotel accommodation. If you come on a tourist visa, you should only do sightseeing as there are a lot of tourist opportunities – museums, mosques, shopping malls etc. Do not try to look for work while you are here on a tourist visa. Those looking for work should come to the UAE on a work visa,” Tirmizi said in an interview to Khaleej Times.
Pakistani media had earlier reported that some GCC countries had expressed concerns about social activities and law-abidingness in the South Asian nation.
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The UAE is one of the most popular destinations for Pakistanis seeking a better life. Between 2023 and 2024, more than 230,000 Pakistanis migrated to the UAE, the second-largest country after Saudi Arabia.
Consul General Hussain Muhammad advised Pakistanis in the UAE to be careful while sharing social media posts as they may violate local laws and culture.
“In the UAE, rules are strictly monitored and implemented. There are no exceptions here… Moreover, social media is also strictly monitored to ensure peace and security in the country. Sometimes, people share emails and social media posts (that do not comply with local laws). Do not share social media posts which are fake and untrustworthy,” Mohammed advised citizens.
“The UAE has given us opportunities, so we all need to respect the local laws and culture, follow the rules and lead a disciplined life,” he added.
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