Over 20,000 Pakistani Nationals Deported from Gulf States Over Visa Violations
More than 21,000 Pakistanis were deported from Gulf countries between March and July 2026 due to visa breaches, overstaying, and forged documents.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 24, 2026
2 min read
Between March and July 2026, Gulf countries deported over 21,000 Pakistani nationals for various visa-related offenses, Parliament was informed recently.
The deportations, revealed during a session of Pakistan's National Assembly on August 20, highlight persistent challenges faced by migrant workers in the region.
Reasons Behind Deportations
- 4,628 individuals were deported as absconders.
- 1,294 were jailed on related charges, with 968 blacklisted.
- Other causes included lost passports (1,155 cases), visa violations (689), and refused entry (342).
- Additional reasons cited were overstaying, begging, and use of fraudulent documents.
- Notably, nine Pakistanis were deported from the UAE through Interpol procedures.
Country-Specific Deportation Figures
- Saudi Arabia led with 3,921 absconders deported and 1,924 for visa offenses.
- UAE followed, deporting 636 absconders and 347 for visa breaches.
- Oman reported 295 deportations.
These statistics, now part of official parliamentary records, reflect the complex dynamics of Pakistani migration to the Gulf and underscore the importance of adhering to local immigration laws.
Context on Employment in the Gulf
Thousands of Pakistanis seek employment opportunities in the Gulf due to attractive job prospects and the substantial remittances sent home, which hit a record KSh 600 billion (USD 4.2 billion) in May 2026.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has introduced a classification system for workers across nine professional levels, each with set minimum salary thresholds to regulate employment standards.
