The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has halted issuing new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim-dominant countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Somalia and Syria, among others.
A migration paper said that applications for new employment and visit visas have been suspended until further notice for nationals outside the UAE from countries including Libya, Afghanistan and Yemen.
The visa ban furthermore applies to citizens of Kenya, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan and Tunisia, the paper said. It is not apparent if there are any exceptions for the ban, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The report said that a source informed on the matter said the UAE has temporarily halted issuing new visas to Pakistanis, Afghans, and citizens of many other countries over security concerns.
The source did not state what those concerns are however stated the visa ban is expected to last for a brief period.
In the previous week, Pakistan’s foreign minister had said that the UAE had halted processing new visas for its citizens and those from some different countries however that those already having valid visas were not affected and could still enter the UAE.
Islamabad said it is looking for information from the UAE on the explanation behind the suspension but that it thought it is related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had no immediate remark when approached by Reuters.
The circular took effect seven days after the French Embassy in the UAE asked its citizens to keep up vigilance after a bomb attack in Saudi Arabia on diplomats.
The explosion, which happened during a World War 1 commemoration ceremony in Jeddah, was the first assault in years where explosives were utilized trying to hit foreigners in the conservative kingdom.
The visa ban moreover comes 2 months after the Gulf state established formal ties with Israel, a move that broke many years of Arab policy and angered few Muslim states and communities. Others welcomed it.
A diplomat remarked that the UAE had strained relations with a few of the states listed, for example, Turkey.
with IANSinputs
