ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to formally implement a pre-immigration clearance system for Pakistani citizens traveling to the UAE, according to officials.
The decision was made during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by Ahmed bin Lahej Al Falasi, Director General of Customs and Port Security.
Under the new arrangement, Pakistani travelers will complete their immigration clearance in Pakistan before departure. As a result, upon arrival in the UAE, passengers will not have to go through lengthy immigration procedures and will be able to exit the airport similar to domestic travelers.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the system will initially be launched as a pilot project starting from Karachi. However, the official launch date has not yet been announced.
Naqvi expressed hope that the new mechanism will ease travel procedures and significantly improve the overall travel experience for Pakistani citizens.
The UAE delegation described the initiative as mutually beneficial and assured full cooperation for its implementation. Relevant authorities from both countries will coordinate to finalize the administrative and technical aspects of the pilot project.
