UAE employment visas now require police character certificates

The Bureau of Emigration has introduced a new requirement for obtaining an employment visa for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mandating applicants to submit a police character certificate.

According to Adnan Paracha, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), individuals seeking employment in the UAE will now be required to obtain a police character certificate along with their work visa.

He welcomed the decision, stating that it was taken in response to complaints from the UAE government, Express News reported.

Adnan Paracha further revealed that complaints had been received regarding the involvement of some Pakistanis in begging and other illegal activities in the UAE. He emphasised that as a brotherly and friendly country, it is essential to adhere to UAE laws.

The UAE had already imposed a ban on visit visas for 24 cities in Pakistan, which has now been extended to 30 cities. Additionally, Pakistanis have been facing difficulties in obtaining work visas for the UAE over the past year.

Due to this, more than 100,000 individuals were unable to secure employment in the UAE last year.

Pakistan adds names of 4,300 beggars in ECL

He highlighted that after Saudi Arabia, the UAE is the second-largest source of remittances for Pakistan. He urged the federal government to initiate diplomatic efforts to address the issue of UAE work visas.

Pakistan has added the names of 4,300 beggars to its Exit Control List (ECL) following growing concerns over the increasing number of Pakistani beggars going in Saudi Arabia.

The development came after a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister, during which the two officials discussed bilateral matters, including the enhancement of Pak-Saudi relations. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Maliki also attended the meeting.

The two sides focused on issues such as the exchange of paramilitary forces and police personnel, as well as joint training programs.