UAE Visa Update: What Pakistanis and Indians Should Know Now
If you’re planning to visit, work or study in the UAE, there is fresh clarity on who is getting visas and how. While approvals have become stricter, visas for South Asians are still being issued, but only under specific conditions.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the latest trends affecting applicants from Pakistan and India.
Visit Visa: Approval Depends on Your Profile
Tourist visas are still available, but where you apply from inside the UAE system, matters. Applications can be processed through different emirates, not just Dubai.
Recent approval patterns suggest:
- Age 45+ traveling with family: Higher chances via Dubai
- Single women or previous UAE visitors with good history: Better success via Sharjah
- 5-year multiple-entry visit visa: Often approved through Abu Dhabi
If your profile does not match these trends, experts advise is waiting instead of rushing to apply, as rejection risk may be higher.
Study Visa: Limited but Still an Option
The UAE is not a typical study destination compared with Europe or Canada, mainly due to higher costs. Still, short diplomas and professional courses remain popular.
Typical features include:
- Usually 1-year student visa
- Many courses in hospitality, hotel management, IT, and business
- Classes often on weekends
- Students allowed part-time work during the week
- You may obtain a driving licence
- But opening a bank account can be difficult on this visa
This makes UAE study visas better suited for career focused short programs rather than full academic degrees.
Work Visa: Domestic Jobs Currently Easiest
For job seekers in Pakistan and India, the current trend shows the highest approval rate in domestic worker visas.
These include:
- Drivers
- Cooks
- Gardeners
- Caretakers
Such visas are issued by individual UAE residents, not companies.
Some workers later switch jobs after arrival, but this can be expensive. Costs may reach 20,000+ AED total after visa changes, travel, and living expenses.
Company Work Visas: Possible but Selective
Direct hiring from abroad is still happening, but mostly when:
- The employer is a large, reputable company
- The role cannot be easily filled by workers already in the UAE
- Jobs are in tough sectors like delivery, heavy labor, or transport
Small companies or informal sponsors may struggle to secure approvals now due to tighter immigration controls.
Why UAE Has Tightened the System
Authorities have not officially banned visas for Pakistanis or Indians. However, rules became stricter after misuse in the past, when:
- Fake companies were created
- Visas were sold illegally
- Workers entered on incorrect visa types
The system is now more regulated to reduce fraud and illegal employment.
Important Warning About Fake Visas
Applicants are strongly advised to:
- Verify every visa document
- Avoid “guaranteed visa” promises
- Be cautious with done-basis agents
- Confirm authenticity before booking flights
Why This Update Matters for South Asians
Millions of families in Pakistan and India rely on UAE travel for jobs, business, and short visits.
This update shows:
- UAE visas are not closed, but more selective
- Profile strength matters more than before
- Reliable employers or sponsors are now crucial
- Careful verification can save large financial losses
For many applicants, planning smarter — not faster — is now the key to reaching Dubai or other UAE cities successfully.
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M. Arshad is a Senior Correspondent specializing in EU-South Asian migration policy and international labor corridors, with over 12 years of experience reporting on bilateral trade agreements.