The Bureau of Emigration has introduced a new requirement for individuals seeking an employment visa for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mandating the submission of a police character certificate.
Adnan Paracha, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), confirmed that those applying for a work visa to the UAE will now need to present a police character certificate. He welcomed the move, explaining that it came in response to concerns raised by the UAE government, as reported by Express News.
Paracha disclosed that complaints had been received about some Pakistanis being involved in begging and other illegal activities in the UAE. He emphasized that, as a close ally, it is important for Pakistanis to respect UAE laws.
The UAE had previously imposed a ban on visit visas for citizens from 24 Pakistani cities, which has now been extended to 30 cities. Furthermore, Pakistanis have encountered difficulties securing work visas for the UAE over the past year, resulting in over 100,000 individuals being unable to find employment there.
Paracha also noted that the UAE, after Saudi Arabia, is the second-largest source of remittances for Pakistan. He urged the federal government to take diplomatic action to resolve the challenges surrounding UAE work visas.
In related news, Pakistan has added the names of 4,300 beggars to its Exit Control List (ECL) due to rising concerns about Pakistani beggars in Saudi Arabia. This decision followed a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations, including the exchange of paramilitary forces, police personnel, and joint training programs.
