UAE activates visa-free travel for Pakistani diplomats and officials

Visa exemption started with effect from July 25, 2025, says Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister

Last updated: July 28, 2025 | 14:22

Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor

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Pakistani officials and diplomats are now allowed to travel visa-free to UAE. Photo of Dubai skyline for illustrative purpose only

DMO

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates have activated visit visa waiver for Pakistanis holders of diplomatic and official passports.

The agreement, which came into effect on July 25, 2025, will allow Pakistani diplomats and the government officials to travel visa-free to UAE.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made the announcement on Sunday via a post on social media platform X, following his recent meeting with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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“I have been informed by the UAE authorities that the visa waiver for diplomatic and official Pakistani passports entering the United Arab Emirates has been activated, effective July 25, 2025, at all UAE airports,” Dar said.

“We agreed on mutual visa waivers on diplomatic and official passports between our two brotherly countries and we both signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make this arrangement effective and operative after 30 days of the signing.”

The UAE embassy in Islamabad also confirmed the move in a message to reporters.

“His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salim Al Zaabi, the ambassador of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Islamabad, feels immense pleasure to announce that the visa waiver for diplomatic and official passports entering the United Arab Emirates has been activated, effective July 25, 2025, at all UAE airports,” the embassy stated.

The visa waiver follows the signing of an MoU during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in June, a forum designed to deepen cooperation in diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange.

Ashfaq AhmedSenior Assistant Editor

Ashfaq has been storming the UAE media scene for over 27 years. As Senior Assistant Editor, his insights, analysis and deep understanding of regional dynamics have helped make sense of the unfolding news.   He’s the go-to guy for deep dives into the South Asian diaspora, blending heart, and hardcore reporting into his pieces. Whether he's unpacking Pakistani community affairs, chasing down leads on international political whirlwinds, or investigative reports on the scourge of terrorism and regional drama — Ashfaq doesn’t miss a beat.   He's earned kudos for his relentless hustle and sharp storytelling. Dependable, dynamic, and unstoppable, Ashfaq does not just report the news, he shapes it.