On 13 February 2026, Pakistani tech and business outlet ProPakistani published a notice stating that the UAE had “temporarily suspended” issuance of 48- and 96-hour transit visas for holders of Pakistani passports. The story referenced a banner displayed on the Emirates-branded VFS Global application portal advising applicants not to file for these visa categories until further notice.(propakistani.pk)
Transit visas allow short stays of up to two or four days for passengers connecting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, and are commonly used by budget-conscious leisure travellers and corporate staff on multi-leg itineraries. A sudden suspension would therefore disrupt flight plans and hotel bookings—particularly for those using Dubai as a hub between South Asia and Europe.
![UAE Temporarily Halts 48- and 96-Hour Transit Visas for Pakistani Nationals — Initial Report]()
Travellers unsure about the latest requirements can turn to VisaHQ, which tracks UAE policy changes in real time and assists applicants with alternative visa routes when sudden suspensions occur. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides step-by-step guidance, document checklists and live support, helping passengers avoid costly surprises at check-in.
At the time of publication UAE authorities had not issued a formal statement explaining the purported pause or indicating how long it might last. Travel consultants in Karachi and Lahore reported holding applications while awaiting confirmation from airline visa desks.
Although the Pakistani embassy has since denied the suspension (see related article above), the episode highlights the fluid nature of short-term visa policies and the importance of monitoring vendor portals such as VFS Global for early warning signs. Organisations routing assignees through the UAE should maintain contingency plans and budget for potential re-ticketing costs when similar alerts surface.
Transit visas allow short stays of up to two or four days for passengers connecting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, and are commonly used by budget-conscious leisure travellers and corporate staff on multi-leg itineraries. A sudden suspension would therefore disrupt flight plans and hotel bookings—particularly for those using Dubai as a hub between South Asia and Europe.
Travellers unsure about the latest requirements can turn to VisaHQ, which tracks UAE policy changes in real time and assists applicants with alternative visa routes when sudden suspensions occur. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides step-by-step guidance, document checklists and live support, helping passengers avoid costly surprises at check-in.
At the time of publication UAE authorities had not issued a formal statement explaining the purported pause or indicating how long it might last. Travel consultants in Karachi and Lahore reported holding applications while awaiting confirmation from airline visa desks.
Although the Pakistani embassy has since denied the suspension (see related article above), the episode highlights the fluid nature of short-term visa policies and the importance of monitoring vendor portals such as VFS Global for early warning signs. Organisations routing assignees through the UAE should maintain contingency plans and budget for potential re-ticketing costs when similar alerts surface.
