According to a report by JS Global, this decline is primarily linked to frequent changes in Emirati visa procedures, which have disrupted the flow of manpower to the region.
The report highlights that emigration to the UAE plummeted during the first quarter of the calendar year due to the evolving and increasingly complex visa regulations. As a result, the UAE s share in Pakistani labor exports has plunged to just 4%, a dramatic fall from its historical average of 35%.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading destination for Pakistani workers, now accounting for approximately 70% of total overseas employment—a shift supported by data from Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment. This significant realignment indicates a broader trend in the regional labor market and highlights Saudi Arabia s growing demand for foreign manpower.
Despite the UAE s status as one of Pakistan’s top trading partners and a key source of remittances, Pakistani workers have faced increased scrutiny and higher rates of visa rejections. However, officials from both countries have reiterated that no official ban is in place on Pakistani visas.
Offering a ray of hope, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, recently announced that Pakistanis are now eligible to apply for five-year visas, following the resolution of prior issues. This development could potentially pave the way for improved labor mobility in the future.
JS Global suggests that if the UAE eases its emigration protocols, it could reclaim a significant share in Pakistan s annual manpower exports—consequently boosting remittance inflows. Combined with regulatory efforts to curb unofficial channels, remittances from both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are projected to make up over 50% of Pakistan’s total remittance receipts.
In an encouraging sign for the economy, Pakistan’s remittance inflows surged to a record $4.1 billion in March 2025—the highest monthly total to date. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), this marks a 37% increase year-over-year from March 2024 and a 30% rise compared to February 2025, signaling growing confidence among overseas Pakistanis.
