Recent claims of stringent visa requirements for Nigerians applying to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been refuted by UAE authorities, according to an investigation by TheCable.
Earlier this week, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced that the UAE had agreed to lift travel restrictions on Nigerians. Idris stated that applicants would need to obtain a document verification number from documentverificationhub.ae, reportedly costing a non-refundable N640,000 (approximately $800) per application, excluding VAT and visa fees. Additionally, he claimed applicants would need to show a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.
These purported requirements were met with criticism from Nigerian air travelers, who described them as a “constructive ban.”
However, inquiries by TheCable to the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism revealed that the document verification website is not affiliated with the UAE government. The department directed visa-related inquiries to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD).
GDRFAD clarified that the actual visa application process requires only a personal photo, a passport with at least six months validity, a travel ticket, and valid medical insurance for the UAE. Tourist visa costs range from 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000), depending on the length of stay.
When questioned about the alleged $10,000 bank balance requirement, GDRFAD stated, “We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has promised to seek further clarification on the matter from the ministry’s Middle East office.
This development comes in the wake of a visa ban imposed by the UAE on Nigeria nearly two years ago due to diplomatic disputes. The ban also saw Dubai’s Emirates Airline suspending flights to Nigeria over issues with revenue repatriation.
In June, following negotiations between both governments, Nigeria announced it had paid 98 percent of the $850 million owed, with assurances that the visa ban would soon be lifted.
As the situation unfolds, Nigerian travelers are advised to seek official information from authorized UAE government channels when planning their visits to the emirate.
