Thu 26 November 2020:
The document, which was sent to businesses by a state-owned business park, cited an immigration circular that came into effect on 18 November.
The letter said that the UAE had stopped issuing employment and visit visas for citizens of Iran, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Kenya, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey, according to Reuters.
A source cited by Reuters confirmed the temporary ban, saying that it had been introduced over security concerns.
The UAE has not issued a public statement on the move, however, Pakistan last week said that the Gulf state had stopped issuing new visas for its citizens.
A government officer told Anadolu Agency that visa applications from the 13 countries will be reviewed separately.
The move comes as the UAE prepares to welcome tourists from Israel, following the two states’ formalising of diplomatic ties in September.
On Monday, Israeli ministers voted unanimously in favour of the agreement, local media reports said.
The visa exemption deal, signed in Tel Aviv last month, will reportedly go into effect in 30 days.
The UAE government had reportedly ratified the agreement earlier this month.
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