GITEX in Pakistan: Ambassador to UAE explains visa rejections, ending amnesty scheme

Travel agents claim men below 45 travelling solo without their families are most likely to face visa rejections
An undated image of GITEX Global. — Gitex
An undated image of GITEX Global. — Gitex

Days following the successful conclusion of the "biggest tech & startup show in the world" in Dubai, UAE, Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi talked at length about Pakistani's "visa situation" and the end of the amnesty scheme approaching on October 31, 2024.

While nodding in admission to the all-time high visa rejections facing Pakistanis, Tirmizi noted that he sees “some improvement, but not a lot” with the end of the amnesty scheme offered by the Gulf country in sight.

The remarks of Pakistan's ambassador to UAE came on the heels of GITEX GLOBAL 2024 held from October 14-18 in Dubai, hosted by the emirate city greeting nationals from over 180 countries, Business Recorder reported while citing an official press release issued by GITEX. 

Pakistanis facing UAE visa rejections 

Despite Pakistan's significant representation on the global stage, securing a UAE visa proved a botched attempt for hundreds of Pakistanis, including numerous entrepreneurs, IT professionals, and tourists interviewed by the publication.

“I have been posted here (in the UAE) before. This is my third time here. Yes, there is an issue with the Pakistani brand. We have to invest in our people. However, the government alone cannot work on this. We have to collaborate with the private sector,” Tirmizi told Business Recorder.

In the worst-case scenario, some aspirants from Pakistan event failed to fetch even visit visas that are considered a sure-shot for Pakistanis.

Tirmizi stated that “this kind of rejection has never been experienced” by Pakistanis even with Pakistan's passport being among the weakest in the world.

The ambassador to UAE mentioned the state of affairs on public platforms and a "travel advisory" while recognising the prevailing visa situation for Pakistanis.

Some travel agents attributed the biggest chunk of visa rejections to situations involving men below 45 travelling solo without their families.

Owing to the amnesty still active, the UAE has spared people overstaying their visas from fines and allowed them to leave without facing a ban on re-entry.