The UAE has resumed issuing visit visas to Pakistani citizens who apply through registered travel agents. The decision brings relief to many applicants who had faced delays and stricter visa checks over the past several months. Travel industry representatives and an official at the UAE Embassy confirmed the development.
The resumption of visit visas ends a period of uncertainty for many Pakistanis planning to travel. Applicants had reported longer processing times and increased scrutiny during the visa approval process. The latest move is expected to make travel easier for families, tourists, and people visiting relatives.
The UAE is home to nearly 1.8 million Pakistanis, making it one of the most important destinations for Pakistani travelers and workers. The easing of visit visa processing is expected to benefit thousands of people who regularly travel between the two countries.
According to travel industry officials, the biggest improvement has been seen in family visa applications. These applications had experienced significant delays in recent months. However, registered travel agents now report that applications for families are being processed more quickly and efficiently.
Muhammad Nadeem Sharif, Chief Executive of Aroma Travels and former chairman of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, described the decision as a positive step. He said the UAE Embassy in Pakistan has restarted issuing visit visas for Pakistani tourists traveling with their families through registered travel agencies.
He added that applicants visiting family members already living in the UAE are also receiving faster responses. The improved processing times have increased confidence among travelers who had postponed their travel plans due to uncertainty.
Travel representatives also said tourism promotion activities have resumed after slowing down in recent months. They expect travel demand to continue increasing as more people become aware of the latest visa developments.
Passenger traffic between Pakistan and the UAE has already started to recover. A senior Pakistani immigration official, speaking anonymously, said the number of travelers flying from Pakistan to Dubai has increased noticeably.
According to the official, daily passenger numbers were around 170 earlier in the summer. By the last week of July, that figure had risen to approximately 400 passengers per day. The increase reflects a steady recovery in travel demand following recent regional tensions.
Industry experts believe the latest development will strengthen tourism and family travel between Pakistan and the UAE. Easier access to visit visas may also encourage business travel and short-term visits.
Travel agents have advised applicants to submit their visa requests only through registered agencies to ensure smooth processing. They also recommend providing complete and accurate documents to avoid unnecessary delays.
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The reopening of visit visa processing is expected to improve travel convenience for Pakistani citizens while supporting stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries. With passenger numbers already increasing, travel industry representatives remain optimistic that demand will continue to grow in the coming months.
