Dubai's immigration authorities have discontinued the three-month visit visa for Pakistanis and Filipinos for the next three months, Noor Mohammad, a local travel agent, told Dawn.com on Friday.

"We have been directed to refuse applications for the three-month visa starting June 1," he said; adding, however, that those travellers who had submitted their application before June 1 would still be processed.

He added that this is not the first time the Emirati government has banned such visas. In the past, similar restrictions have been placed on travel to the country, particularly during Ramazan, he said.

News outlet ProPakistani reported that Pakistanis can still apply for 14- and 30-day visas for the emirate, adding that those travellers who already hold a 90-day visa need not worry about the ban.

ProPakistani quoted a Dubai-based travel agency as saying that they are considering processing applications through other emirates in the UAE, but that would incur extra costs and entail more restrictions.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...