Gulf Nations Enforce Visa Restrictions on Pakistanis Amid Rising Crime and Fraud Incidents
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Islamabad, Dec 22 (NationPress) The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and numerous other Gulf nations have initiated an indefinite visa ban affecting individuals from at least 30 cities in Pakistan. This decision comes in response to a disturbing surge in incidents where Pakistani nationals have been apprehended for begging or engaging in smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and various other criminal offenses abroad.
Destinations in the Gulf, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have historically been favored by millions of Pakistani travelers and job seekers.
However, with the new visa restrictions and rising rejection rates, the already tarnished reputation of the Pakistani passport—ranked as the fourth worst globally for the third consecutive year—will undoubtedly suffer further losses.
The UAE has also instituted a requirement for visa applicants from Pakistan to present a police character certificate.
A well-known Pakistani YouTuber has also voiced the challenges facing travelers from Pakistan after the Gulf countries ceased issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. In an interview, noted podcaster Nadir Ali shared, "Saudi Arabia and Dubai were once popular destinations but have now halted visa issuance. I faced significant difficulties when I wanted to attend the IIFA Awards. In fact, Saudi Arabia has issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the rising number of beggars being apprehended."
Pakistan has consistently sent questionable travelers abroad, many of whom end up illegally residing in foreign countries as asylum seekers, illegal drug traffickers, beggars, or human traffickers.
Muddasar Mir, Managing Director of Vinci Tours and Travels in Islamabad, stated, "Since last year, we have seen hundreds of cases where labour visas, visit visas, and even tourist visas have been rejected for Pakistanis by Gulf countries. The rejection rate is particularly high for individuals from smaller cities."
He further explained, "There are numerous reasons why Gulf nations are rejecting Pakistani visa applications. The primary concern is the issue of beggars and drug smugglers who have been apprehended after arriving in Gulf countries on various types of visas. Many Pakistanis have also been caught transporting illegal drugs to these nations. Recruitment agencies, particularly those focused on sending laborers to the Gulf, are also known to utilize fake documents and experience letters, often bribing agencies to circumvent the process."
Numerous companies in the Gulf have raised concerns to their recruiters in Pakistan about the workforce being sent, often failing to meet even the basic qualifications for job roles, leading to significant challenges.
"Gulf companies are increasingly reluctant to hire laborers or technicians from Pakistan because they recognize that the workforce from our country tends to be inadequate. They have found better alternatives in hiring individuals from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, who are easier to manage," Mir noted.
Statistics indicate that over 800,000 Pakistanis apply for visas to Gulf and Middle Eastern nations annually in search of employment opportunities, often using these destinations as a gateway to Western and European countries.
In previous years, over 4,000 Pakistani beggars were arrested in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Mecca and Medina, where they were caught begging during the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages. Many have also been apprehended for carrying illegal drugs and engaging in illicit activities.
This situation has led to severe restrictions and bans by numerous countries on Pakistani passports and citizens, resulting in visa rejections for thousands of travelers.
