Pakistan's Business Community Claims Silent Visa Ban By UAE: ‘Serious Challenge For Trade’

Published 29 July 2026 · world

Pakistan's Business Community Claims Silent Visa Ban By UAE: ‘Serious Challenge For Trade’ Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 11:57 IST However, UAE authorities

Pakistan's Business Community Claims Silent Visa Ban By UAE: ‘Serious Challenge For Trade’ Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 11:57 IST However, UAE authorities have officially maintained that there is no visa ban and that applications under all visa categories continue to be processed. Rapid Read A top business leader said that even Pakistanis with long-standing commercial relationships and real estate owners in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have been unable to secure visas. Pakistan’s business community has alleged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a “silent" visa ban on Pakistani citizens, with traders and exporters claiming the restrictions are disrupting business travel, delaying trade deals and causing financial losses. According to Pakistani media reports, several business leaders have complained that the UAE has stopped issuing visas to Pakistani businessmen, investors and traders. However, UAE authorities have officially maintained that there is no visa ban and that applications under all visa categories continue to be processed.

Despite the official position, Pakistani business representatives said that the situation on the ground tells a different story. “Yet there appears to be a noticeable gap between the official position and the experience reported by many Pakistani business travellers," Shahid Anwar, former secretary general of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, told The Express Tribune newspaper as reported by PTI. Usman Shaukat, president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that even Pakistanis with long-standing business ties and property ownership in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have been unable to obtain visas. “This has led to important business meetings being cancelled, and many exporters have missed major international exhibitions…," Usman Shaukat, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the newspaper. Ismail Suttar, Founder and Chairman of the Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, said the UAE is currently not issuing visas to Pakistani citizens under any category, creating serious challenges for exporters, traders and business delegations.

He said the reasons behind the restrictions had not been officially communicated, leaving the business community uncertain about future commercial exchanges with one of Pakistan’s key trading partners, according to the newspaper. Zia ul Arfeen, a member of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said on Tuesday they had sent a letter to the UAE Consul General but had not received any response. He added that businesses in different cities of Pakistan have been affected. Business leaders have urged the Pakistani government to engage diplomatically with the UAE to address the issue, warning that continued visa difficulties could affect exports, investment and broader commercial ties between the two countries. The reported concerns come against the backdrop of strained Pakistan-UAE relations in recent months following differences over regional security and financial matters. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news.