Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to remove visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in New York. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a visa exemption agreement. |
| Where | New York, United States |
| When | September 22, 2026 |
| Who signed it | Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan |
| Passports covered | Diplomatic, official, and special passports |
| Current status | The agreement was signed during the United Nations General Assembly. |
| Why it matters | The agreement is expected to make official travel and government exchanges easier. |
The agreement will remove visa requirements for eligible diplomatic, official, and special passport holders from the two countries.
Dar said the agreement would help make high level contacts and institutional exchanges easier. He also linked the development to the wider strategic relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
This arrangement applies to specific passport categories. It does not create visa free travel for all Pakistani or Saudi citizens.
Pakistan Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain regular diplomatic contacts and cooperate in several areas.
The latest agreement adds another measure aimed at making official exchanges more convenient. Government officials and other eligible passport holders will benefit from the removal of the relevant visa requirement.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also highlighted continued engagement with Saudi Arabia on bilateral and regional matters. Dar and Prince Faisal have held discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments during recent diplomatic contacts.
Defence and Regional Cooperation
The visa agreement comes as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on security and regional issues.
Pakistan has recently expressed support for Saudi Arabia following attacks targeting the kingdom. The Foreign Office said Pakistan remains committed to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
The two countries have also continued coordination under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Pakistan took part in the inaugural meeting of its Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul in August 2026.
Visa Deal Eases Official Travel
The visa agreement could make official visits between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia easier.
It may also support more frequent meetings between government representatives and institutions. Easier official travel can help both sides maintain regular diplomatic contact.
For ordinary travellers, however, the agreement does not remove existing visa requirements. The exemption covers the specified diplomatic, official, and special passport categories.
