The UAE suspended granting visas to citizens of several countries, most of which are Arab, until further notice, according to news reports published on Wednesday.
Reuters reported, according to a document by a government business group, that Abu Dhabi has suspended granting visas to citizens of 13 countries, most of them Arab countries, until further notice.
The agency quoted a source, which it described as informed, that he took this decision for security considerations without mentioning it.
The document referred to a leaflet from the Immigration Department that came into force on November 18 including Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen.
The agency added that the visa ban also applies to citizens of Algeria, Kenya, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had no comment when contacted by Reuters.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said last week that the UAE had stopped granting new visas to its citizens and citizens of several other countries.
The ministry and the source said that holders of valid visas will not be affected by the new restrictions and can enter the UAE.
