Pakistan ambassador urges citizens on UAE tourist visas to refrain from job hunting

ABU DHABI: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE, advises Pakistan citizens who come to the UAE on tourist visas not to seek employment there. The visit visa requirements related to hotel accommodation, return tickets and funds should be properly provided. The ambassador also urged the Pakistan citizens to follow the rules and regulations of the UAE.

"Pakistan nationals arriving in the UAE on a visit visa must have a return ticket, 3000 dirhams and accommodation documents. Those who come on tourist visa should engage in tourism only', said Tirmizi. Tourist visa holders should not attempt to seek employment. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi suggested that those who come for the purpose of work should come only on employment visa.

The ambassador said that the Pakistan government has been directed to check those coming to the UAE on tourist visas at the airport and ensure that they have the necessary documents. About 1.7 million Pakistan citizens live and work in the UAE. Pakistanis are the second largest expatriate community in the UAE after the Indian expatriate population of 3.7 million.

According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment and the Overseas Employment Corporation, over 230,000 Pakistanis immigrated to the UAE in search of employment last year. In 2023, 26.77 percent of the total people who migrated from South Asian countries are Pakistanis. Between 6,00,000 and 8,00,000 Pakistanis go abroad every year for work and tourism. Most of them choose GCC countries (Gulf), Europe and US.