ISLAMABAD: 19, NOVEMBER, 2020: Foreign Office Spokesperson has informed that the United Arab Emirates temporarily suspended issuance of new visit visas to 12 countries, including Pakistan.

The decision was taken by the UAE administration in view of the possible second wave of COVID-19.

In his statement on Wednesday, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry said the suspension is not applicable on already issued visas adding that the office is seeking official confirmation from the relevant UAE authorities in this regard.

It was not immediately clear how many visa categories the suspension would apply to, he added.

He said that people holding iqama, transit and work visas were still allowed entry in the UAE. The UAE has various visa categories including business, tourist, transit, student etc.

New conditions were reported to have been imposed on travellers from Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya, Lebanon, Kenya, Iran, Yemen and Somalia, besides Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that, the country had had temporarily suspended flight operations from Pakistan in June till July after the increase in coronavirus cases in Pakistan.

The decision was taken after 30 Pakistani citizens travelling to Hong Kong on an Emirates flight tested positive for the novel virus. The airline later resumed its flight operations in July. (04)