Pakistan and UAE Activate Visa Waiver Arrangements

In a beneficial development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Sunday the activation of visa waiver arrangements at Pakistani and UAE airports for diplomatic and official passport holders.

The mutual visa waivers for these passport categories were agreed upon by both nations through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last month. The agreement was scheduled to be implemented 30 days after the signing.

Dar stated in a post on X that during his meeting with UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025, they concurred on mutual visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passports between the two countries.

He further mentioned that they both signed an MoU to ensure this arrangement became effective 30 days after the MoU was signed.

The Foreign Minister announced that UAE authorities informed him that the visa waiver for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders entering the UAE had been activated at all UAE airports, effective July 25, 2025.

He also verified that reciprocal measures have been implemented for UAE citizens at all airports in Pakistan.

To strengthen bilateral relations, Pakistan and the UAE previously signed MoUs on “Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements” and the “Establishment of a Joint Task Force to Promote Investments.”

The two nations also signed an MoU for collaborative work on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy” during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held in Abu Dhabi on June 24, following a 12-year interval.

A protocol outlining procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, coordination via sectoral working groups, and facilitation for reciprocal visits was also signed.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the results and agreed to host the 13th Session of the JMC in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates.