The UAE’s pledge to deepen strategic ties with Pakistan has taken tangible form: a reciprocal visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and official passports became fully operational on 25 November. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed activation of the July-signed Memorandum of Understanding, noting that officials from both countries may now enter each other’s territory visa-free for government business.
Implementation is immediate at all UAE and Pakistani airports and covers ministers, ambassadors, trade-mission staff and civil servants travelling on state duty. Ordinary passport-holders are not included, but officials in Islamabad hinted the breakthrough could lay groundwork for future relaxations in business-visa categories.
![UAE–Pakistan visa-waiver for diplomatic and official passports comes into force]()
For multinationals, the change promises faster scheduling of bilateral meetings, easier participation in joint economic commissions and streamlined logistics for high-level delegations. UAE-based companies bidding on Pakistan’s energy or infrastructure projects can now host ministerial teams without the administrative drag of pre-travel visa issuance, while Emirati sovereign-wealth funds gain smoother access for due-diligence visits.
Protocol departments should update travel-approval workflows: although visas are no longer required, officials must still carry diplomatic passports valid for six months and mission letters confirming the purpose of travel. Airlines have been advised to train check-in staff on the new exemption to avoid incorrect “no-visa-no-fly” denials.
Implementation is immediate at all UAE and Pakistani airports and covers ministers, ambassadors, trade-mission staff and civil servants travelling on state duty. Ordinary passport-holders are not included, but officials in Islamabad hinted the breakthrough could lay groundwork for future relaxations in business-visa categories.
For multinationals, the change promises faster scheduling of bilateral meetings, easier participation in joint economic commissions and streamlined logistics for high-level delegations. UAE-based companies bidding on Pakistan’s energy or infrastructure projects can now host ministerial teams without the administrative drag of pre-travel visa issuance, while Emirati sovereign-wealth funds gain smoother access for due-diligence visits.
Protocol departments should update travel-approval workflows: although visas are no longer required, officials must still carry diplomatic passports valid for six months and mission letters confirming the purpose of travel. Airlines have been advised to train check-in staff on the new exemption to avoid incorrect “no-visa-no-fly” denials.
