Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Karachi, recently discussed factors that could impact Pakistani citizens’ ability to obtain visas to the UAE.
He emphasized that social media activity could affect visa applications. “Everything you share or like on social media, whether positive or negative, can impact your visa application,” he warned.
His remarks come after he previously clarified there were no blanket restrictions on Pakistani visas, despite reports of difficulties faced by residents of Sindh. The UAE has cautioned Pakistani expatriates against spreading negative propaganda about their country, institutions, or politicians, with Dr. Al Remeithi confirming that several Pakistanis have been arrested and sentenced to 14 to 15 years in prison for such activities.
Last month, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Dr. Arshad informed the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis about issues related to the Pakistani diaspora, including their involvement in a significant proportion of crimes in the UAE, and their work ethic-related problems.
Dr. Al Remeithi expressed concerns about individuals from some countries causing disruptions if their home country faces issues, affecting local services and leading to riots. He emphasized that such behavior, including blocking roads and spreading misinformation, is not acceptable in the UAE.
The consul general reiterated that the UAE does not want foreign political issues imported into their country and advised the Pakistani community to be mindful of their online presence. “Every individual represents their country, so be cautious about your digital footprint,” he said.
He confirmed that social media activity could indeed influence visa issuance, advising people to avoid discussing negative aspects of their home country or engaging in provocative discussions. “Enjoy your life, travel, and spend time with your family. We support you in that,” he added.
Dr. Al Remeithi assured that there were no limits or restrictions on visa issuance, citing the issuance of around 70,000 work visas to Pakistanis in the past 18 months. He praised the contributions of Pakistani expats, particularly in the construction industry, and suggested that Pakistani youth consider careers in information technology (IT), artificial intelligence (AI), and medicine, as these fields offer numerous opportunities in the UAE.
He also mentioned that the UAE is committed to facilitating visa services and document verification for Pakistanis and encouraged people to reach out directly for information, even without an appointment.
