Dubai’s immigration authorities have discontinued the three-month visit visa for Pakistanis and Filipinos for the next three months, Noor Mohammad, a local travel agent, told on Friday.

“We have been directed to refuse applications for the three-month visa starting June 1,” he said; adding, however, that those travellers who had submitted their application before June 1 would still be processed.

He added that this is not the first time the Emirati government has banned such visas. In the past, similar restrictions have been placed on travel to the country, particularly during Ramazan, he said.

News outlet ProPakistani reported that Pakistanis can still apply for 14- and 30-day visas for the emirate, adding that those travellers who already hold a 90-day visa need not worry about the ban.

ProPakistani quoted a Dubai-based travel agency as saying that they are considering processing applications through other emirates in the UAE, but that would incur extra costs and entail more restrictions.