Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to introduce a pre-immigration clearance system aimed at easing travel between the two countries, with a formal agreement expected to be signed soon.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the UAE’s Director General of Customs and Port Security Ahmed bin Lahij Al Falasi agreed to the decision during a meeting, where they also agreed to remain in contact to finalise details of a pilot project.

Under the plan, immigration and clearance procedures for travellers to the UAE would be completed in Pakistan before departure, eliminating the need for lengthy immigration processing on arrival in the Emirates.

The new system will initially be launched as a pilot project in Karachi.

Naqvi said that once the pilot phase proves successful, the system would be gradually expanded to additional locations.

He added that passengers arriving in the UAE under the scheme would be able to exit the airport directly, similar to domestic travellers, without undergoing standard immigration checks on arrival.