The United Arab Emirates has warned Pakistani citizens not to seek work in the country through their tourist visas, as this is illegal.
Following the statement of the UAE on the matter, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, also urged his fellow citizens to meet all the rules and regulations accordingly.
Tirmizi said Pakistanis entering UAE on tourist visas must follow the country’s rules by carrying a return ticket, Dh3,000 in funds, and hotel accommodation, VisaGuide.Worl reports.
When you’re on a tourist visa, you must do only tourism and enjoy the museums, mosques, malls, etc. Don’t try to find jobs while you’re on a tourist visa. Those looking for jobs should come to the UAE on a job seeker visa, and those who wish to work should obtain an employment visa prior to coming to the Emirates.
As explained by Khaleej Times, the ambassador further revealed that he has approached the Government of Pakistan and suggested that UAE tourist visa holders be inspected at the airport to ensure they meet the requirements.
There Is No Visa Ban on Pakistanis, but All Visitors Must Have Sufficient Funds to Cover Their Stay
The UAE consul general in Karachi emphasized that there were no visa restrictions for Pakistanis and that the Emirates was providing’ 100 percent’ facilities to South Asian nationals traveling for tourism, business, medical, or other reasons, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to its relationship with Pakistan.
In recent widespread local media reports of a downward trend in overseas employment for Pakistanis due to an alleged lack of respect for local laws and customs, the Senate Standing Committee on Pakistanis said that more than 50 percent of the rate of crime in the UAE was said to be attributed to Pakistanis.
In an effort to attract young talent and skilled professionals, the UAE launched a ‘job search visa’ in October 2022. This initiative, along with the fact that a total of about 1.7 million Pakistani nationals live and work there, demonstrates the UAE’s openness to foreign workers. They rank as the second largest expatriate community in the UAE after the Indian diaspora of 3.7 million.
Data provided by the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment and the Overseas Employment Corporation also show that more than 230,000 Pakistanis migrated to the UAE in search of greener pastures last year. The UAE was the second leading destination for Pakistanis, who accounted for 26.77 percent of the total number of people who migrated from South Asian countries in 2023.
In addition, about 600,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis go abroad yearly for work and tourism purposes, mainly to GCC countries, Europe, and the United States.