UAE Visa Waiver for Pakistani Diplomatic and Official Passports Now Active

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has implemented a visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders, effective July 25, 2025, strengthening ties between the two nations. This article explores the significance of this agreement, its implications for diplomatic relations, and the broader context of Pakistan-UAE cooperation.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, announced that the UAE had activated a visa waiver for Pakistani holders of diplomatic and official passports, as confirmed by UAE authorities. The agreement, signed on June 24, 2025, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, allows visa-free entry at all UAE airports. Dar described the move as a milestone for the “brotherly nations,” emphasizing the mutual trust built over decades. “This waiver facilitates seamless travel for our diplomats and officials,” Dar stated on X, highlighting the reciprocal arrangement that also grants UAE diplomatic and official passport holders visa-free entry at all Pakistani airports.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalized during the 12th UAE-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), underscores a shared commitment to enhancing diplomatic efficiency. This exemption applies only to diplomatic passports, issued to high-ranking officials like ambassadors, and official passports, held by government employees such as military officers or ministry staff traveling on state business. Ordinary Pakistani passport holders, however, must still adhere to standard visa procedures for tourism or business. The agreement aligns with broader cooperation in trade, technology, and investment, with both nations signing additional MoUs to boost artificial intelligence and economic collaboration.

This development signals Pakistan and the UAE’s resolve to deepen their strategic partnership, fostering easier state-level exchanges. While the waiver doesn’t extend to the 1.7 million Pakistanis living in the UAE or the thousands visiting annually, it sets a precedent for future mobility agreements. Critics urge Pakistan to negotiate broader visa relaxations, but for now, this move strengthens diplomatic ties. The nation must leverage such agreements to advance mutual interests, ensuring stability and prosperity through robust regional alliances.