Victor EzejaThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stringent new visa restrictions for Nigerian travelers, including a ban on transit visas and stricter financial requirements for tourist visas.
The ban on transit visa applications for Nigerian passport holders effectively prevents stopovers in Dubai or other UAE airports for onward travel. This move, according to travel agents, would disrupt travel plans for many Nigerians who frequently use Dubai as a transit hub.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis latest development was communicated to travel agents in the country on Tuesday.
The new UAE travel rules also stipulate that Nigerians aged 18 to 45 are no longer eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied by a sponsor, family member, or group.
It said that those 45 years and above must provide a six-month personal bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent)
“For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for the TOURIST VISA CATEGORY.
“An applicant who is 45 years or above must provide a Single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of the last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.
“Kindly note that the above points must be taken into consideration before sending your applications with other existing documents such as hotel reservation, data page, etc,” the notification reads.
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These changes come less than a year after the UAE lifted a previous two-year visa ban on Nigerians, signaling a renewed tightening of entry policies.
The policy change, according to analysts, may have an adverse effect on the UAE’s retail and tourism industries, both of which have profited from Nigerian business in the past.
Reasons Behind the Restrictions
While the UAE has not provided an official explanation, analysts suggest lingering diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE and the unwholesome conduct of some Nigerian immigrants.
While reacting to the latest UAE visa restrictions on Nigerian travellers, the Nigerian in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) UAE expressed support for the ban on transit visas. The group in a post on X said the issue of a work permit, which started during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be resolved.
The group blamed travel agents in Nigeria for taking advantage of the transit visa to ensure that their clients gain entry into the UAE and look for a way to remain there against the legal provisions.
He said the people in the age range of 18- 45 affected by the ban are youths who want to travel and work.
It maintained that instead of taking shortcuts through the transit visas, the due process of obtaining a work permit before travelling to the UAE must be adhered to or they remain in Nigeria and search for other job opportunities.
NIDO UAE called on travel agencies to lend their voices on resolving the issue of work permits, instead of focusing on exploring shortcuts for their clients to gain entry into the UAE.
The UAE visa ban comes at a time of other nations are reviewing immigration policies and tightening entry conditions as part of measures to strengthen national security. The U.S. also recently imposed stricter visa rules for Nigerians.
