ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily suspended the issuance of 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas for Pakistani nationals, which currently affects all travelers who use UAE airports for their international flights.
The decision means Pakistani travelers will no longer be eligible for short-term UAE transit visas that previously allowed brief stays outside the airport during layovers.
Passengers flying through Dubai and Abu Dhabi used the 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas because they wanted to explore the cities during their extended stopovers.
The short-duration visas allowed travelers to exit the airport because they needed to stay at hotels and conduct business meetings and visit tourist sites before departing to their final destinations.
Travel industry sources report that only transit visa categories will be suspended under the current restrictions. The authorities have not yet provided a complete explanation of the reasons for this action, nor have they disclosed the duration of the current restriction.
There is also no official clarification on whether other UAE visa categories for Pakistani nationals, including visit or employment visas, are affected.
The travel agents have instructed passengers to check visa requirements with airlines, while they should contact official UAE immigration offices before making flight reservations that include stopovers in the Emirates.
Airlines that operate between Pakistan and the UAE provide travelers with updated entry requirement information to help them avoid any travel disruptions.
