The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced new visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, including a complete ban on transit visa applications and tighter conditions for tourist visas, according to reports from travel agents and News360 Nigeria.
The new policy, which took effect on Tuesday, comes barely a year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa ban on Nigeria. The latest development is seen as another major setback for Nigerians, especially tourists and business travellers frequently heading to Dubai.
Under the updated guidelines:
– Nigerians aged 18 to 45 years are not eligible for a tourist visa unless they are accompanied.
– Applicants aged 45 and above must present a personal bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of \$10,000 (or its naira equivalent) over the last six months.
– Transit visa applications from Nigerians will no longer be processed.
A statement issued to travel agents reads:
“For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for tourist visa category. An applicant who is 45 years or above must provide a personal bank statement for the last six months with each month’s ending balance reflecting at least \$10,000 or its naira equivalent.”
This policy change is expected to reduce air traffic from Nigeria to the UAE, especially to Dubai, which remains a top destination for Nigerian tourists, students, and businesspeople.
Travel agents have expressed concerns that the visa process for Nigerians may become even more difficult, urging applicants to take note of the new requirements before submitting their documents.
Nigerians planning trips to the UAE are now advised to ensure all supporting documents, including hotel reservations and passport data pages, comply with the latest immigration rules.