Islamabad, January 13, 2026 – Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to sign a pre-immigration clearance agreement aimed at simplifying travel for UAE-bound passengers by allowing them to complete immigration formalities before departure from Pakistan.
The decision was finalized during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi, Director General of Customs at Al Dara Border Crossing. Under the proposed system, passengers travelling to the UAE will undergo immigration clearance at designated airports in Pakistan and will be able to exit UAE airports without further checks, similar to domestic travelers.
According to officials, the new immigration arrangement will initially be launched as a pilot project in Karachi. Once operational, the system is expected to significantly reduce processing time, eliminate lengthy immigration queues, and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that if the pilot phase proves successful, the pre-immigration clearance facility will be gradually expanded to other cities across Pakistan.
The initiative comes amid stricter immigration controls introduced to curb human trafficking and illegal travel. In recent months, several passengers have been offloaded due to incomplete or improper documentation. To address these issues, the interior minister has already directed authorities to enforce strict document screening at all airports and strengthen immigration systems through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Earlier this month, the government also established Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks to assist outbound travelers with immigration procedures. These desks, accessible in person, via helplines, and email, aim to provide guidance for smoother international travel.
The move aligns with rising overseas migration, as more than 727,000 Pakistanis moved abroad for employment in 2025, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE among the top destinations.