Over 13,000 Pakistanis came to UAE on employment visa in 2025

Dubai: More than 13,000 Pakistanis have come to the UAE on employment visas in 2025.

According to data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), 13,865 Pakistani workers moved to the UAE during the first seven months of 2025, averaging 2,310 workers per month. In comparison, the UAE welcomed 64,130 Pakistani workers throughout 2024, with a monthly average of 5,344.

The reduced inflow is largely attributed to the UAE’s updated empoyment policies, which include stricter eligibility criteria and enhanced labour market nationalisation programmes. Despite the challenges, the UAE remains a critical destination for Pakistani expatriate workers due to its robust economy, tax-free salaries, and opportunities in emerging sectors such as technology, health care, and finance.

Rising demand

In contrast, other Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have seen rising demand for Pakistani manpower. Saudi Arabia received 242,337 Pakistani workers in the first half of 2025, averaging 40,389 monthly arrivals, up from 37,713 per month in 2024.

Qatar also experienced growth, with 26,448 Pakistani workers relocating in six months, an average of 4,408 per month compared to 3,401 per month in 2024. These increases are largely driven by mega infrastructure projects, including those related to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar’s post-World Cup developments, according to report in ProPakistani.

Oman also recorded a reduction in arrivals, with 8,467 Pakistani workers entering during the first half of 2025 (1,411 monthly), compared to 81,587 workers (6,798 monthly) in 2024, following similar visa and labour market reforms.

Outside the Gulf, manpower exports to the UK decreased to 2,595 workers in the first half of 2025, while exports to the USA rose modestly to 584 workers.

Overall, Pakistan’s manpower exports reached 336,442 in the first half of 2025, averaging 56,073 workers per month, compared to 727,381 workers (60,615 per month) in 2024. Economic impact

Remittance

The State Bank of Pakistan reports that out of the $38.3 billion in remittances received in 2024, approximately $30.5 billion came from Pakistani workers in Gulf countries, the USA, and the UK. The UAE remains one of the largest contributors to these remittances with more than $$754.2 million , underscoring the economic importance of maintaining a steady flow of workers to the country.