Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi has candidly addressed the major visa challenges that Pakistanis are facing in the UAE, especially with the amnesty scheme set to expire on October 31.
During his remarks at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 in Dubai, he acknowledged a slight improvement in visa approvals but described it as minimal.
Despite the event attracting participants from more than 180 countries, many Pakistanis are finding it difficult to secure visas. Reports indicate a rise in the rejection of visit visas, which have traditionally been a reliable option for Pakistani travelers, particularly affecting men under 45 years old traveling alone.
The UAE government has offered temporary relief by waiving fines and permitting individuals to leave without facing re-entry bans as part of the ongoing amnesty. However, the situation remains challenging, with Tirmizi noting that Pakistanis have never experienced such widespread visa rejections before, despite their passport’s low global ranking.
Tirmizi, who has served in the UAE multiple times since joining Pakistan’s foreign service in 1993, described the current visa situation as his greatest challenge in recent months. He stressed the importance of improving Pakistan’s international image and called for collaboration between the government and private sectors.
Statistics from Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment show a dramatic drop in registered Pakistani workers in the UAE, falling from nearly 230,000 in 2023 to under 60,000 this year. If this trend continues, it could represent the lowest number of registered Pakistani workers in the UAE since the pandemic years.
While many have raised concerns about the strict regulations surrounding workers’ visas, Tirmizi pointed out that Pakistanis have typically entered the UAE on tourist visas and later converted them to work visas. However, as the UAE’s job market evolves, there is a growing demand for highly skilled workers, contrasting with the blue-collar labor that has historically characterized Pakistani migration.
Tirmizi highlighted the significant developments in the UAE, including the establishment of media and sports cities and the recent expansion of GITEX GLOBAL. He emphasized the need for Pakistani workers to enhance their skills, particularly in emotional intelligence and adaptability to diverse environments.
Expressing optimism about Pakistan’s IT sector, Tirmizi advocated for a focus on exporting IT services to strengthen the economy. He also mentioned plans to explore hosting GITEX in Pakistan, recognizing the country’s potential in the technology industry.
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