Islamabad – Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to sign a groundbreaking pre-immigration clearance agreement aimed at easing travel procedures for Pakistani passengers flying to the Gulf nation, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Under the proposed deal, travellers departing from Pakistan to the UAE will be able to complete essential immigration procedures before boarding their flights, allowing them to bypass lengthy queues and extensive checks upon arrival in the UAE. The initiative is expected to save significant time and streamline airport procedures, providing a more efficient travel experience for both tourists and expatriates.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with a high-level UAE delegation led by Director General of Customs and Port Security Ahmed Bin Lahij Al Falasi, where both sides discussed the importance of finalising the agreement. The discussions focused on improving bilateral cooperation and facilitating smoother travel, particularly for the large number of Pakistani citizens who travel to the UAE for work, business, tourism, and family visits.
“The immigration process for passengers will be completed in Pakistan before departure,” Naqvi said, stressing that the new system would reduce delays, ease congestion at UAE airports, and enhance the overall travel experience. Once cleared in Pakistan, passengers will be able to exit UAE airports swiftly without undergoing additional immigration procedures.
The initiative will initially be launched as a pilot project in Karachi, one of Pakistan’s busiest international departure hubs. Officials from both countries are finalising the technical and administrative framework required for implementation. If successful, the program will be gradually expanded to other major airports across Pakistan, benefiting thousands of travellers each month.
The UAE delegation described the initiative as mutually beneficial, highlighting that smoother and faster immigration processes will strengthen people-to-people ties and encourage increased travel between the two countries. Many Pakistani travellers have long faced long waits at UAE immigration counters, and this agreement is being seen as a significant step toward improving convenience and efficiency.
The pre-immigration clearance deal also aligns with broader efforts to enhance diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Pakistan and the UAE. By streamlining travel, the two countries hope to facilitate business, tourism, and cultural exchanges, while also demonstrating the strength of their longstanding partnership.
With the pilot project set to roll out soon, officials say this move could mark a new era in Pakistan-UAE travel relations, making cross-border journeys faster, safer, and more convenient for millions of passengers.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.