The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has tightened its entry requirements for Nigerian travelers, with Dubai immigration no longer issuing tourist visas to Nigerians aged 18 to 45 unless they are accompanied.
Additionally, applications for transit visas have been entirely banned for Nigerians, as confirmed by travel agents.
For those aged 45 and above, visa applicants must present a personal six-month bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent).
Travel agents said the new policy is expected to drastically reduce travel from Nigeria to Dubai, a top destination for business and tourism.
“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.
The first shock for Nigerians seeking the UAE visa began in early August 2022 when the Middle Eastern country imposed stiffer visa regulations for any of Nigerian intending traveller.
The new regulations, which came after a public disturbance allegedly involving some Nigerians, is generating concerns among Nigerian travellers just as it has dealt a blow to the leisure and travel industry.
The new stiffer visa rules came into being after a video emerged last week of some Africans causing a public disturbance in Dubai, the UAE capital. And the UAE government, which does not joke with security and public disturbance issues, was expected to react appropriately in a bid to protect the country and its citizens from any form of harm.
In the video, youths were seen fighting in a Dubai community, destroying public property.
The Nigerian Community in Dubai under the umbrella of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), United Arab Emirates (UAE) chapter, swiftly condemned the development while particularly commending the swift intervention of the Dubai Police who got the hoodlums, about seven of them, arrested.
After arresting them, the Police said a criminal case has been registered against the suspects and they will be referred to the public prosecution for further action.
