Following social-media reports that the UAE had stopped issuing 48- and 96-hour transit visas to Pakistani nationals, Pakistan’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi, Shafqat Ali Khan, issued an on-record rebuttal on 14 February 2026. Speaking to local media, the envoy said the screen-shots circulating online were “not true” and confirmed that airline-sponsored transit visas for lay-overs remain available.(propakistani.pk)
The clarification came less than 24 hours after Pakistani news outlet ProPakistani cited a notice on the VFS Global platform appearing to suspend short-stay transit permits for Pakistani passport holders. That earlier report prompted immediate concern among passengers planning stop-overs in Dubai en route to Europe, Africa or North America.
![Pakistani Ambassador Denies Reports of UAE Transit-Visa Suspension]()
Travellers looking for a quick way to double-check their eligibility for 48- or 96-hour transit visas can also use VisaHQ’s online portal. The service’s dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers current visa requirements, application support, and real-time alerts, giving both individuals and corporate travel teams an additional layer of assurance.
Under UAE rules, 48- and 96-hour transit visas are arranged exclusively through UAE-based carriers such as Emirates and Etihad and must be approved before travel. They allow travellers who are otherwise ineligible for visa-on-arrival to leave the airport between connecting flights.
For mobility managers the episode underscores the value of verifying policy changes through official channels—airlines, ICP notices or diplomatic statements—before altering itineraries. The ambassador urged travellers to ignore unverified social-media posts and rely on airline advisories and embassy updates. Companies with large South-Asian workforces transiting Dubai should disseminate the clarification to prevent unnecessary ticket changes and reassure employees.
The clarification came less than 24 hours after Pakistani news outlet ProPakistani cited a notice on the VFS Global platform appearing to suspend short-stay transit permits for Pakistani passport holders. That earlier report prompted immediate concern among passengers planning stop-overs in Dubai en route to Europe, Africa or North America.
Travellers looking for a quick way to double-check their eligibility for 48- or 96-hour transit visas can also use VisaHQ’s online portal. The service’s dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers current visa requirements, application support, and real-time alerts, giving both individuals and corporate travel teams an additional layer of assurance.
Under UAE rules, 48- and 96-hour transit visas are arranged exclusively through UAE-based carriers such as Emirates and Etihad and must be approved before travel. They allow travellers who are otherwise ineligible for visa-on-arrival to leave the airport between connecting flights.
For mobility managers the episode underscores the value of verifying policy changes through official channels—airlines, ICP notices or diplomatic statements—before altering itineraries. The ambassador urged travellers to ignore unverified social-media posts and rely on airline advisories and embassy updates. Companies with large South-Asian workforces transiting Dubai should disseminate the clarification to prevent unnecessary ticket changes and reassure employees.
