Pakistanis in UAE Can Now Book Appointments at the Embassy Online

Pakistanis in Dubai can say bye bye to long queues that greet them when its time to get their passport, ID cards and visas approved/renewed.

The Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai has announced that it has started an online appointment system for important identification documents for Pakistanis in oil-rich UAE.

Details about the New Facility

This new facility will ease the burden on both the Pakistanis residing in UAE and the mission as well. Using the new system, Pakistanis can apply for an appointment at the local mission from the comfort of their PCs or smartphones.

The new online appointment system will provide huge relief to the community in the UAE as they no longer have to stand in queues for hours to get their passports and ID cards renewed, said Samar Javed, Acting Pakistani Consul General in Dubai.

This ensures that the Pakistani mission resolves documentation issues in a timely manner and that the long queues there become a thing of the past. Previously, people used to start arriving as early as 4am at the consulate in the hopes that they could get their papers in order.

Pakistanis living in the Dubai and northern emirates book an appointment here. They can use this facility to apply for passports and NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis). This is another alternative to NADRA’s process for NICOP.

Apply for a Pakistani Visa Online

But that’s not all. Anyone who needs a visa for traveling to Pakistan can also apply for the same online.

Currently the facility is only available for those living in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

They can book their online appointments via the Pakistan Embassy website here. The Pakistani embassy timings are from 8am to 2pm.

These measures will go a long way in solving the issues of UAE-based Pakistanis. The embassy there could only handle 400 people but used to get 1500 daily. The embassy expects the number to go down by 50% once the online appointment system is extensively utilized.

When asked about the fact that majority of workers in UAE are blue collar workers who find it tough to use the online system, Mr. Javed remarked that the consulate will still cater to walk-in applicants. However, priority will be given to those who book their appointments online.

The consulate is in talks with the Pakistani associations and centres in Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah to offer such services at their premises.

How to Apply

Based on where they reside, Pakistani residents in Dubai and northern emirates can either visit the website: www.mofa.gov.pk/Dubai

If you are based in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, then you can apply at: www.pakistanembassyuae.org/

The process for applying for an appoint is more or less the same at both websites, with these basic instructions in mind:

• Click on online appointment
• Select the date and time
• Fill the basic data form
• You will get appointment by email
• Print the email and go to the consulate or embassy