If you are a Pakistani flying to another country via Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you need to know about a major change: the 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas have been suspended for Pakistani nationals. This has caught many travellers by surprise — including people flying with Emirates and Etihad who assumed transit would be simple.
What happened:
- In early 2026, reports emerged that 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas were suspended for Pakistani passport holders.
- The reason given by UAE authorities relates to misuse: when 30-day visit visas became harder to get, many applicants switched to transit visas — some with fake onward tickets — and then overstayed. Transit visas, which once had an approval rate of almost 100 percent, were then suspended for all Pakistani nationals, genuine travellers included.
- Pakistani officials have at various times denied a complete suspension, saying processing continues through official channels. The reality on the ground is that transit visas for Pakistanis are extremely difficult to obtain right now.
What this means for you:
- Do not book a flight with a long Dubai layover assuming you can leave the airport on a transit visa. If your connection requires exiting the airport, you may be stuck.
- If you are only changing planes inside the airport (same terminal, no exit), you generally do not need a transit visa — but confirm this with your airline before booking, because rules vary by route and ticket type.
- Travellers holding ordinary Pakistani passports face significant difficulties even when flying with Emirates or Etihad. Only diplomatic and official passport holders face fewer hurdles.
- If your journey requires a stopover where you leave the airport, consider a route that avoids a UAE stopover, or apply for a proper visit visa well in advance.
Practical tips for transit travellers:
- Always confirm with your airline, in writing, whether your specific connection needs a visa.
- Keep your onward ticket, final destination visa, and travel documents ready and genuine — fake onward tickets are exactly what caused this crackdown.
- Allow extra connection time. Tighter scrutiny means longer processing at every step.
- If you are denied boarding because of a visa issue, contact your airline immediately — rebooking options depend on your ticket type.
The bigger picture:
- Nearly 2 million Pakistanis live in the UAE, and millions more transit through its airports every year. The suspension is a security response to misuse, not a permanent closure — but there is no announced date for it to lift.
- Until it changes, plan your transit as if you cannot leave Dubai airport, and you will never be caught out.
Disclaimer: Transit rules change without notice. Always confirm your specific route’s requirements with your airline and on official UAE portals (ICP, GDRFA) before booking. This post is general information, not legal advice.
