The United Arab Emirates has officially activated a visa waiver for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders, effective from July 25, 2025. The development was announced by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar via a post on X.
This waiver follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 24, 2025, during Dar’s meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, both nations agreed to grant mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The arrangement became operational 30 days after the signing.
Dar confirmed that the waiver has been activated at all UAE airports, while reciprocal entry privileges for Emirati officials have also been enforced across Pakistani airports. The agreement is expected to ease official travel and reinforce bilateral ties between the two countries.
The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s closest partners in the Gulf region, both diplomatically and economically. It is a significant source of remittances and home to a large Pakistani expatriate community.
Earlier this month, during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the UAE’s Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE pledged support for easing visa procedures for Pakistani nationals. Naqvi emphasised the need for greater flexibility, stating that relaxed policies would offer considerable relief to travellers.
The visa exemption deal is part of broader bilateral cooperation initiatives agreed upon during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission. Multiple MoUs were signed in areas including investment, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, reflecting the deepening partnership between the two countries.
Both sides also reiterated their commitment to regional peace and long-term collaboration across strategic sectors.
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