The UAE has stopped issuing new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Syria, according to a document issued by a state-owned business park.
A source told Reuters the visas have been temporarily stopped over security concerns but did not provide details over those worries.
The document, which was sent to companies operating in the park and seen by Reuters, cited an immigration circular that came into effect on November 18.
It said applications for new employment visit visas had been suspended for nationals of 13 countries — Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Kenya, Iraq, Lebanon and Tunisia — until further notice.
It was not clear if there were any exceptions to the ban.
The source added, the ban was expected to last for a short period.
The UAE had last week suspended new visa issuance to citizens of Pakistan, Turkey and 10 other countries. The step was “believed to be related to the second wave of Covid-19”
