- Pakistani exporters face severe visa restrictions from the United Arab Emirates, stalling critical trade and exhibition plans.
- Industry leaders report a sixty-five percent rejection rate for family applications and nearly non-existent visit visas.
- Age-based screening prevents applicants under forty from securing travel permits despite having official supporting documentation.
Pakistani exporters say UAE visa restrictions are cutting them off from Dubai buyers, delaying sales trips, trade delegations and exhibition plans as business groups report rejections and hold-ups across categories. Pakistan’s exports are feeling the hit. The interruption reaches the sales calendar first.
Business leaders say the problem has moved beyond individual files into a wider freeze. Ismail Suttar, founder and chairman of the Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, said the UAE is "not issuing visas to Pakistani citizens under any category." He said the restrictions are creating "serious challenges for exporters, traders and business delegations." Abu Dhabi denies a ban.
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Salim Valimuhammad Anwar said the damage starts before a shipment leaves port. "when sales representatives cannot obtain visas, companies cannot showcase products, meet buyers or explore new export opportunities," he said. Family applications are facing a 65% rejection rate, he added, while visit visas are "practically non-existent" and labour visa holders continue to travel. Sales trips have slowed.
The latest complaints also point to an age screen. Applicants below 40 years of age are reportedly being turned away even when they submit supporting letters, while some over 40 are still approved. The uncertainty is already unsettling plans for Gulfood, scheduled for February 2027. That show matters.
Usman Shaukat, president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said members with long-standing UAE business setups are seeing rejections. "This has led to important business meetings being cancelled, and many exporters have missed major international exhibitions such as Gulfood, Dubai Health and Middle East Health," he said. Shahid Anwar, former secretary general of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said there is a "noticeable gap between the official position and the experience reported by many Pakistani business travellers." The split is plain.
Business groups are sending the same complaint through chambers
The complaints cluster around the same choke points. Sales staff cannot travel. Buyers stay unreached. Family files add another layer.
| Pressure point | Reported detail | Business effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sales representatives | Suttar said the UAE is "not issuing visas to Pakistani citizens under any category"; Anwar said sales staff cannot get visas | Companies cannot showcase products, meet buyers or explore new export opportunities |
| Family applications | Anwar said family applications face a 65% rejection rate; visit visas are "practically non-existent" | Personal travel and business networking plans stall together |
| Age screen | Applicants below 40 years of age are reportedly not getting visas even with supporting letters | Some older applicants still pass while younger ones wait |
| Trade fairs | Shaukat said exporters have missed Gulfood, Dubai Health and Middle East Health | Meetings and exhibition booths go empty |
| Travel flow | Business travellers say applications are rejected or delayed across categories | Trips to the UAE stall |
The damage is not abstract. Food and salt exporters say they are losing time needed for pitches, samples and follow-up meetings, and business groups warn that competitors from other countries can step in when Pakistani teams stay home. Visit travel has become harder. Labour movement has not faced the same squeeze.
The public lines stay apart
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the relationship as a "longstanding, fraternal partnership built on trust" while also pointing to stricter vetting and revised documentation requirements. Abu Dhabi still says there is no blanket ban and that applications continue to move through normal channels. The public lines stay apart.
Business groups sent letters to the UAE Consul General on June 11 and July 7, 2026, asking for clarification. On April 23, 2026, Pakistan finished repaying $3.45 billion in deposits to the UAE, including $1 billion to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and $2.45 billion earlier that month. Gulfood opens in February 2027.
