Pakistani citizens can enter or live in the UAE on several visa types: an employment (work) residence visa, a family residence visa sponsored by a UAE resident, a 48 or 96-hour transit visa, a student residence visa, a job-seeker visit visa, and the long-term Green (5-year) and Golden (up to 10-year) residence visas. None is available on arrival for an ordinary Pakistani passport, and almost all need a sponsor: an employer, a relative, an airline, a university, or, for Green and Golden visas, yourself. This page compares those options. If you only want a holiday, the tourist visa process, fees and documents are covered separately in our Dubai tourist visa guide for Pakistani passport holders.
| Visa type | Who sponsors it | Typical length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment residence visa | UAE employer | Usually 2 years, renewable | Job offer already in hand |
| Family residence visa | UAE resident spouse or parent | Linked to the sponsor's visa | Spouses and children joining a resident |
| Family or friend visit visa | UAE resident relative or friend | Short stay | Visiting parents, siblings or friends |
| Transit visa | UAE-based airline | 48 or 96 hours | Long layovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Student residence visa | Licensed UAE university or college | Length of the course, renewable | Studying in the UAE |
| Job-seeker visit visa | Self (via ICP or GDRFA) | Short stay | Recent graduates and skilled workers job hunting |
| Green visa | Self | 5 years | Skilled employees, freelancers, investors |
| Golden visa | Self | 5 or 10 years depending on category | Investors, high earners, exceptional talent |
Employment visa: working in the UAE on a Pakistani passport
An employment visa is not something you apply for yourself. Your UAE employer obtains a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), or from the relevant free zone authority, and then sponsors your entry permit and residence visa. After arrival you complete a medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics before the residence visa is stamped or issued electronically. Your employer normally pays the government costs.
There are two extra steps specific to Pakistani workers:
- Protector of Emigrants clearance. Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) requires every Pakistani leaving on a work visa to get "protector" clearance under the Emigration Ordinance 1979. Without it, FIA immigration can stop you at the airport.
- Police character certificate. Pakistani media and the BE&OE reported in 2026 that a police character (good conduct) certificate, attested by the UAE embassy in Pakistan, is now required for UAE employment visa applications. Ask your employer's PRO for the current list before you start collecting documents.
Degree certificates are usually attested first in Pakistan (HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), then by the UAE embassy, and finally by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many job titles need this, so start early. A genuine job offer never requires you to pay a "visa fee" to an agent; that is one of the most common scams aimed at Pakistani job seekers.
Family visas: joining or visiting relatives in the UAE
Family residence visa
A UAE resident can sponsor a spouse, sons under 25, unmarried daughters and children with special needs for residence. According to u.ae, the sponsor needs a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus company accommodation, as well as suitable housing and health insurance for the family. Pakistani documents such as the Nikah Nama and birth certificates must be attested (NADRA or MOFA in Pakistan, then the UAE embassy and the UAE MOFA). Sponsoring parents has stricter conditions; see our guide on how UAE residents sponsor their parents.
Family or friend visit visa
For a shorter trip, a resident relative or friend can sponsor a visit visa instead of a tourism company. Since ICP's September 2025 update, the sponsor needs a monthly income of at least AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends. This is a visit visa, so it does not allow work.
Moving to the UAE for work or family and unsure which route applies? Tell us your situation and we will point you to the right visa.
Ask about your visa routeTransit visa: long layovers in the UAE
Pakistani passengers who stay airside between flights do not need a visa. If you want to leave the airport, the UAE issues two transit visas, both sponsored by a UAE-based airline such as Emirates, Etihad, flydubai or Air Arabia and approved before you travel:
- 48-hour transit visa: free of government fees, though the airline or agent may charge a service fee.
- 96-hour transit visa: AED 50 government fee.
Both are single entry, cannot be extended, and require an onward ticket to a third country. Arrange it through the airline you are flying with. Our Dubai transit visa guide covers how the layover visa works in practice. Check fees with the airline before you book, as they change.
Student visa: studying at a UAE university
Pakistani students need an offer from a UAE university or college licensed to sponsor international students. The institution applies for the entry permit and student residence visa, usually valid for one year and renewed for the length of the course. Expect to provide attested academic certificates, passport copies, photos and proof of fees paid. Outstanding university graduates may later qualify for a Golden visa under the students category, subject to the grade and institution conditions set by the UAE authorities.
Job-seeker visa: looking for work without a sponsor
The UAE offers a job-seeker visit visa that does not require a host or employer. It is aimed at skilled workers classified in the first, second or third skill levels by MOHRE and at recent graduates of the world's top 500 universities. You cannot work on it; once you find a job, your employer must switch you to an employment visa. Given the extra scrutiny Pakistani visit visa applicants faced in 2026, apply through official channels (ICP or GDRFA) or a licensed typing centre, and carry proof of funds and a return ticket.
Green and Golden visas: long-term residence without an employer
Both are self-sponsored residence visas, so you are not tied to one employer. Neither is nationality-specific: Pakistani citizens qualify under the same criteria as everyone else.
| Feature | Green visa | Golden visa |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 years, renewable | 5 or 10 years depending on category, renewable |
| Skilled employees | Bachelor's degree, MOHRE skill level 1 to 3, salary at least AED 15,000 a month | Salary at least AED 30,000 a month plus degree and skill level conditions |
| Freelancers and self-employed | Yes, with a MOHRE freelance permit and income conditions | No dedicated category |
| Investors | Business investors meeting investment conditions | Property or investment of at least AED 2 million, among other routes |
| Other routes | None for talent | Exceptional talent, scientists, doctors, outstanding students, humanitarian and frontline workers |
Salaries and investment amounts change and each category has further conditions, so confirm on icp.gov.ae or u.ae before you apply. Remote workers employed outside the UAE may prefer the UAE remote work visa instead.
Before you apply: Pakistan-side checks for every visa
- Passport valid for more than six months for any entry permit.
- Attested documents: degrees, marriage and birth certificates usually need Pakistani attestation first, then UAE embassy and UAE MOFA attestation.
- Protector clearance from the BE&OE if you are travelling on a work visa.
- FIA checks at departure: visit visa passengers are questioned closely, so carry your visa, return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds.
- Verify the visa on the ICP or GDRFA website before you fly. Fake visas and fake job offers remain common; our guide to why Dubai visas get rejected for Pakistanis and how to avoid scams covers the warning signs.
Once your visa is sorted, our Dubai guide for Pakistani visitors covers the practical side of the trip. For how rules differ between nationalities, see the UAE visa guide by nationality.
Frequently asked questions
Which UAE visa types are open to Pakistani citizens?
Pakistani citizens can apply for employment, family residence, family or friend visit, transit, student, job-seeker, tourist, Green and Golden visas. None is issued on arrival, and most need a UAE sponsor such as an employer, relative, airline or university.
Can a Pakistani apply for a UAE work visa directly?
No. A UAE employer must obtain the work permit and sponsor the employment visa. The worker must also get protector clearance from Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment before departure.
How much salary do I need to sponsor my family in the UAE?
According to u.ae, a resident needs a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus company accommodation, to sponsor a spouse and children for residence. Parents and visit visas have separate conditions.
Do Pakistanis need a transit visa for a Dubai layover?
Only if you want to leave the airport. The UAE issues a free 48-hour transit visa and a 96-hour transit visa for AED 50, both arranged by a UAE-based airline before travel. Staying airside needs no visa.
Can Pakistani citizens get a UAE Golden visa?
Yes. The Golden visa is not nationality-specific. Pakistani citizens qualify under the same categories as other nationals, such as property or investment of at least AED 2 million, skilled professionals earning at least AED 30,000 a month, exceptional talent or outstanding students.
Where is the tourist visa process for Pakistanis explained?
The tourist visa steps, fees and documents for Pakistani passport holders are covered on our Dubai tourist visa guide for Pakistanis. This page focuses on work, family, transit, study and long-term visas.
Have a job offer, a family member in the UAE or a Golden visa question? Send us the details and we will help you work out the next step.
Get help with your UAE visaVisa rules, salary thresholds and fees change. Information is as of September 2026; confirm with icp.gov.ae, gdrfad.gov.ae, u.ae or the Bureau of Emigration before you apply. SheikhWays is not an immigration adviser.