Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to sign a new pre-immigration clearance agreement aimed at making travel easier for Pakistani nationals visiting the UAE. The decision has announced by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior following a high-level meeting held on Tuesday.
Under this proposed system, Pakistani passengers will complete their immigration process in Pakistan before departure, allowing them to skip long queues and checks upon arrival in the UAE. Once the system is in place, travelers will be able to exit UAE airports directly, similar to domestic passengers.
The agreement was discussed during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by Ahmed Bin Lahij Al Falasi, Director General of Customs and Port Security. Senior officials from both sides attended the meeting to discuss operational and technical details.
How the Pre-Immigration Clearance System Will Work
According to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the immigration checks for Pakistani passengers will completed at designated airports in Pakistan before travel. This means travelers will not have to go through standard immigration procedures after landing in the UAE.
Naqvi explained that this system will reduce waiting time, improve passenger convenience, and enhance the overall travel experience for Pakistani citizens. He added that such a system would also help streamline airport operations in both countries.
The UAE delegation welcomed the initiative and assured Pakistan of full cooperation during implementation. Officials from both sides will coordinate closely to finalize administrative and technical requirements.
Pilot Project to Begin in Karachi
The pre-immigration clearance system will be launched as a pilot project, with Karachi selected as the first city. While no official start date has announced, authorities confirmed that preparations are underway.
After evaluating the results of the pilot phase, the system will be expanded to other major cities across Pakistan. This phased approach will help authorities address technical challenges before nationwide implementation.
Background: Visa Difficulties Faced by Pakistanis
This development comes at a time when Pakistanis have faced significant difficulties in obtaining UAE visas over the past year. In November 2025, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry informed a Senate committee that the UAE had largely stopped issuing visas to Pakistani nationals.
He also stated that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had nearly imposed restrictions on Pakistani passports, though no formal ban has implemented. These comments raised serious concerns among lawmakers and overseas Pakistanis.
Earlier, in July, visa rejections prompted Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to raise the issue directly with UAE authorities. During a meeting that month, UAE Interior Minister Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan assured Pakistan of full support in easing visa processing.
UAE Visa Policy Clarifications
In April, the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan announced that visa issues had been resolved and that Pakistani citizens could now apply for five-year UAE visas. This announcement followed earlier concerns raised in the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis.
Overseas Employment Promoter Aisam Baig told the committee that some visas had “unofficially closed,” claiming the UAE had concerns about misuse of visit visas. According to him, some visitors were involved in begging, which damaged Pakistan’s image.
However, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada clarified that there were no restrictions on work visas, and Pakistanis traveling for employment were not affected.
Why This Agreement Matters
The pre-immigration clearance agreement is expected to restore confidence, improve bilateral relations, and make travel more dignified for Pakistani citizens. It will particularly benefit business travelers, tourists, and overseas workers who frequently travel to the UAE.
By reducing delays and improving screening before departure, the system also addresses UAE concerns related to security and compliance while offering convenience to genuine travelers.
Conclusion
The upcoming Pakistan-UAE pre-immigration clearance agreement marks a positive shift in travel facilitation between the two countries. If successfully implemented, it could significantly improve airport experience for Pakistani travelers and pave the way for smoother mobility across the Gulf region.
With the pilot project starting in Karachi and expansion planned nationwide, this initiative reflects growing cooperation and mutual trust between Pakistan and the UAE.
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