The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a fresh set of visa restrictions targeting Nigerian travelers, including an outright ban on transit visa applications and tighter conditions for tourist visa approvals.
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The new guidelines, communicated to Nigerian travel agents on Tuesday, are expected to significantly affect travel plans between Nigeria and Dubai. Industry insiders describe the move as a setback, especially since it comes just one year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa ban on Nigerian citizens.
Under the revised policy, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 are now ineligible for tourist visas unless they are traveling with a companion. Meanwhile, applicants aged 45 and above must submit a personal bank statement covering the past six months, with a minimum balance of $10,000 or its equivalent in naira.
These new measures mark a sharp departure from previous procedures, which had been relaxed following the lifting of earlier travel restrictions. Travel agents report the rules are already in effect and anticipate a sharp decline in visa applications from Nigeria, a market that has historically contributed significantly to tourism in Dubai.
This development comes shortly after the United States government introduced a new visa policy limiting most Nigerian non‑immigrant visa applicants to single‑entry permits with three‑month validity, signaling a global trend toward tighter travel restrictions for Nigerian citizens.
