Police Clearance Certificate Now Required for Pakistanis Seeking UAE Work Visa

LAHORE – Pakistani nationals seeking a UAE work visa will have to obtain a police character certificate before flying to the Gulf country.

The latest change in requirements has been made by Pakistan’s Immigration and Foreign Employment Bureau to address complaints received from the UAE.

UAE authorities have sent complaints against several Pakistanis for engaging in illegal activities, including begging, in the Arab country.

An official of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association said Pakistanis going to the UAE for work should abide by the country’s laws. He said Pakistanis engaging in illegal activities gives the country a bad name and creates obstacles for others seeking visas.

The UAE has added residents of 30 Pakistani cities to its visa ban list, the official said.

Meanwhile, UAE Consul General Dr. Bakheet Remeithi has termed the claims regarding restrictions on visa issuance as ‘fabricated’, saying these rumours have been circulating for the past two years without any basis.

Remeithi stressed on applying for visas through official channels and encouraged applicants to visit UAE visa centres directly for processing. He reaffirmed the Arab nation’s strong ties with Islamabad, and the country’s leadership is committed to supporting Pakistan and its people.

In another positive development, the UAE Consul General pointed to significant investment opportunities expected to emerge in the future. Following the recent denial of this report by the Pakistani embassy, ​​the UAE government also dismissed media reports that it had proposed visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals during a cabinet meeting. Both the UAE and Pakistani governments have categorically denied these claims.

Earlier this year, UAE authorities warned Pakistanis to avoid fake news and propaganda online, warning that such actions could negatively impact visa approvals and renewals.