Amanze Chinonye
Qatar has introduced new visa restrictions for Nigerian travellers, citing increasing cases of overstays by visitors from the country. The Ministry of Interior announced that the measures take effect immediately and apply to both pending and new applications.
According to the Ministry of Interior (MOI), a return transfer is now a compulsory requirement for securing a Qatar tourist or transit visa. In addition, only females or families are eligible to apply, while all applicants must also book a five-star hotel to qualify. The ministry further confirmed that these conditions will affect all pending visa approvals, not just new submissions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe new policy raises immediate hurdles for Nigerians planning to visit or transit through Qatar, including business executives, students, and those connecting flights via Doha, a major hub for Africa–Asia and Africa–Europe travel. It also signals heightened scrutiny of Nigerian passport holders at a time when global migration controls are becoming tighter.
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In practical terms, the rules sharply limit independent travel for Nigerian men and raise the cost of visiting Qatar by mandating five-star accommodation. For families, travel is still permitted, but with stricter documentation requirements. For Qatar, the move is designed to curb illegal overstays, but for Nigeria it risks straining people-to-people ties, complicating business travel, and reducing tourism exchange.
This is not the first time visa restrictions have sparked diplomatic unease. In 2019, then-Senate President Bukola Saraki publicly appealed to the Qatari government to lift entry barriers for Nigerians, stressing the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation. More recently In 2023, former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika also urged both countries to establish a more balanced and mutually favourable visa regime. Despite these calls, Qatar has now doubled down with even tighter requirements.
Travel agencies have been instructed to enforce the new rules, and travellers with pending visa applications are being informed that their cases will only be processed under the updated guidelines. Industry operators warn that the policy could disrupt travel plans for Nigerians hoping to attend upcoming events in Doha or use Qatar Airways as a gateway for international connections.
Analysts say the development reflects a wider trend: Nigerians are facing stricter entry requirements in several countries due to concerns over immigration violations. Unless addressed diplomatically, such policies could deepen Nigeria’s travel and mobility challenges on the global stage.
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