UAE Visit Visa from Pakistan
The complete 2026 guide — requirements, fees in PKR, 48-hour processing, the ban rumours fact-checked, and how to apply without getting rejected.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
The Essentials
UAE Visa at a Glance
The four facts every applicant needs.
Fact Check
Is There a UAE Visa Ban on Pakistan?
No — but the rumours exist for a reason. Here’s the honest picture.
What Officials Say
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (Sept 2026): no ban — the UAE employs 40,000–50,000 Pakistanis yearly vs 7,000–8,000 repatriations. The UAE Consul General in Karachi confirms all visa categories remain open. Visit visas resumed through registered agencies by August 2026.
Why People Worry
2025 saw tightened screening and slower processing; early 2026 brought a wave of rejections (agents reported high refusal rates March–April). Stricter ≠ banned — but for rejected applicants, it feels the same. Approvals normalised through 2026.
Documents
Requirements for Pakistanis
The checklist — get these right and approval is straightforward.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid 6+ months beyond travel; clear bio-page scan (all corners visible) |
| Photograph | Recent colour, white background, taken within 6 months |
| CNIC | Pakistan’s national ID — specifically required for Pakistani applicants |
| Return ticket | Confirmed onward/return flight booking |
| Accommodation | Hotel booking or host’s invitation/Emirates ID |
| Bank statement | 3–6 months, showing sufficient funds and regular activity |
| Travel insurance | Medical insurance valid in the UAE |
Costs
UAE Visit Visa Fees (2026)
Official fees vs what you’ll actually pay through an agency.
| Visa Type | Official Fee | Via Agency (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day single entry | AED 200 + 5% VAT | Rs 22,000–35,000 |
| 60-day single entry | AED 300 + 5% VAT | Rs 30,000–55,000 |
| 90-day visit | — | Rs 40,000–75,000 |
| 5-year multiple entry | — | Eligible applicants only |
Agency ranges include service charges and insurance — a UAE-based sponsor applying directly eliminates the markup. Dubai visa price guide →
Step by Step
How to Apply
Two routes — pick the one that fits.
Via Travel Agency (Recommended)
Use a licensed, IATA-registered agency. Submit documents, pay the fee, receive the e-visa by email in 48 hours–5 days. Apply 7–10 working days before travel; never book non-refundable flights before approval.
Via UAE Sponsor
A UAE resident (relative/friend), hotel, or company applies on your behalf through GDRFA/ICP portals. Cheaper (no agency markup) and often faster — ideal if you have contacts in the Emirates.
Options
UAE Visa Types for Pakistanis
Beyond the standard visit visa.
Tourist Visa (30/60-day)
The standard route — single or multiple entry, extendable twice by 30 days without leaving the UAE.
5-Year Multiple Entry
Available to eligible Pakistanis since April 2025 — for frequent travellers with strong travel history.
Work & Residence
Employer-sponsored; safest via Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). 1.6 million Pakistanis live in the UAE.
Get Approved
Avoiding Rejection
The six reasons Pakistani applications fail — all avoidable.
Passport Under 6 Months
The #1 cause — renew before applying, no exceptions.
Weak Bank Statement
Low balances or dormant accounts signal risk. Show 6 months of regular activity and a comfortable closing balance (agents suggest PKR 500,000+).
No Travel History
First-time travellers face extra scrutiny — strong finances and a sponsor help offset it.
Mismatched Details
Name/DOB differences between passport, CNIC and form = automatic rejection.
Prior Overstay/Ban
Resolve UAE fines and bans through proper channels before reapplying.
Incomplete Application
Blurry scans, missing documents, unpaid fees — review everything twice.
The Rules
Overstay Fines & Extensions
The UAE enforces overstay strictly — know the numbers.
AED 50 per day from day one — no grace period (since February 2026). But you can extend twice by 30 days without leaving the country — apply before expiry. Overstaying risks fines, detention, deportation and future bans. The 2025 deportations (~6,000 Pakistanis, mostly for violations and begging) show the consequences are real.
Before You Fly
Travel Tips
New in 2026: pre-immigration clearance.
Under the January 2026 Pakistan-UAE agreement, travellers complete UAE immigration (biometrics, visa verification) at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport before boarding — arriving in Dubai/Abu Dhabi as domestic passengers. The pilot starts in Karachi, expanding to Lahore and Islamabad. Standard rules still apply: return ticket, accommodation proof, and respect local laws — the UAE’s tolerance for visa misuse is near zero. Travel updates →
1.6 Million Strong
Pakistanis in the UAE: By the Numbers
Why this visa matters so much.
1.6 Million Residents
Pakistanis are the UAE’s second-largest expat community after Indians — spanning labourers, drivers, professionals, doctors and business owners.
$6.3 Billion Remittances
UAE-to-Pakistan remittances crossed $6.3 billion in FY2024/25 — a lifeline for Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
40,000–50,000 Visas/Year
The Foreign Office’s figure for Pakistanis employed in the UAE yearly — seven times the 7,000–8,000 annual repatriations.
Stay Safe
Visa Scams Targeting Pakistanis
The frauds to recognise before you pay anyone.
Fake Job Offers
“Guaranteed UAE jobs” for an advance fee — the classic. Real employers never charge recruitment fees; verify through Pakistan’s OEC and the UAE employer’s MoHRE registration.
Visa “Agents” Without Licences
Unregistered agents take fees and disappear — or issue fake e-visas. Use only licensed, IATA-registered agencies; verify the e-visa on ICP/GDRFA portals before flying.
Visit-Visa Job Traps
Agents selling visit visas as “work permits” — victims arrive, find no job, overstay, and face deportation. The 2025 deportations (~6,000 Pakistanis) were largely visa-misuse cases.
The Safe Path
Licensed agency or direct sponsor → verify e-visa online → fly only after written approval → never pay cash without receipts. If it sounds too easy, it’s a scam.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What applicants ask most — answered.
Is the UAE visit visa open for Pakistanis in 2026?
Yes. No official ban exists; tourist and visit visas are being approved at normal rates through registered agencies in 2026. Both governments confirm it.
How much is a UAE visit visa from Pakistan?
Official fee: AED 200 (30-day) / AED 300 (60-day) + 5% VAT. Through agencies: PKR 22,000–35,000 (30-day), PKR 30,000–55,000 (60-day).
How long does it take?
48 hours via GDRFA’s official channel; 3–5 working days through most agencies. Express 12–24 hour processing exists.
Do Pakistanis need a CNIC for the UAE visa?
Yes — the standard tourist route specifically requires a country-of-origin identity card for Pakistani applicants. Details must match the passport.
Can I work on a visit visa in the UAE?
No — employment on a visit visa is illegal and a leading cause of deportation. Convert to a work visa through a licensed employer/OEC.
Can I extend my UAE visit visa without leaving?
Yes — up to two 30-day extensions without exiting the UAE. Apply before your current visa expires to avoid the AED 50/day overstay fine.
Do children need a separate UAE visa?
Yes — every traveller including infants needs their own visa. Children’s applications are filed with the parents’ documents plus birth certificates.
What is the 5-year multiple entry visa?
A long-term tourist visa allowing repeated visits — available to eligible Pakistanis with strong travel history and finances since April 2025.
Your UAE Trip, Sorted
10 detailed guides — visas, fees, ban fact-checks, travel updates and Dubai specifics.
Feature Pakistan’s Pakistan Guides explain UAE visa rules in plain language. Immigration policies change — always verify current requirements with the UAE’s ICP/GDRFA portals or a licensed agency before applying. With 1.6 million Pakistanis already in the Emirates and approvals running normally in 2026, a well-prepared application is the least stressful part of the journey.