The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again taken a strict step in its immigration policy by suspending visa issuance for citizens of nine African and Asian countries.
According to reports from a foreign news agency, the countries affected by this move include Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bangladesh. Citizens of these nations will not be able to apply for either tourist or work visas for the UAE until further notice.
An immigration circular has outlined the decision, stating that all new visa applications from these countries are currently suspended. This means no fresh tourist or employment visa processes will be carried out for the citizens of the affected nations. The measure, however, does not affect visa holders who already reside in the UAE or those who were issued visas before the suspension came into effect.
Interestingly, Pakistan is not included in this list, which has sparked widespread interest, especially considering that in the past, Pakistan has occasionally been part of temporary visa restrictions imposed by the UAE. For now, Pakistani citizens remain unaffected by this specific ban, and they can continue to apply for tourist or work visas as usual.
UAE officials have not given any official statement regarding the reason behind this sudden suspension. However, sources suggest that the move is linked to security concerns, migration management, and ongoing diplomatic tensions with some of the affected countries.
This is not the first time such a decision has been taken, as the UAE has previously imposed similar visa restrictions in response to regional instability and bilateral disagreements.
The ban has caused concern among expatriate communities and families, many of whom rely on the UAE as a major destination for employment and business opportunities.
It also raises questions about the long-term immigration strategy of the Emirates, especially as it continues to balance economic needs with security considerations. For now, the affected citizens must wait for an official clarification or potential lifting of the restrictions.
