DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed strict visa conditions for Pakistani nationals, resulting in a significant increase in the rate of rejection of visa applications.
According to Sadiq Sabir, Executive Board Member of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP), applicants for UAE visit visas will now have to provide a bank statement of at least Rs 1 million. Additionally, confirmed return tickets and hotel bookings are mandatory for visa processing.
Sadiq Sabir revealed that the rejection rate of Pakistani visa applications has reached a staggering 99 percent. Around 2,000 applications are received daily from Lahore alone, of which the majority are rejected.
He added that applicants face a financial loss of AED 1,500 to AED 2,000 for each rejected application. Visa fees and hotel booking charges are non-refundable, increasing the financial burden on applicants.
UAE Govt’s new policy
According to reports, these measures have been introduced by the UAE government to prevent the misuse of visit visas for illegal purposes. However, the stringent requirements have created significant challenges for genuine travelers and tourists.
The stringent rules and high rejection rate have raised concerns among Pakistani citizens, especially those who plan to visit the UAE for tourism or business purposes.
Travel industry experts have warned that such policies could negatively impact not only travellers but also travel agencies and the UAE economy.