The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country.
This comes two years after UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians and automatically rejected pending visa applications.
A joint announcement by the governments of Nigeria and the UAE entitled, ‘Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE’, said the visa ban was lifted on March 4, 2024.
The statement said the commencement of visa issuance was a “milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations their shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations.”
To ensure a seamless and efficient visa application experience, the UAE has introduced an enhanced document verification process.
The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleem Saeed Al-Shamsi highlighted the importance of this updated procedure.
Starting from March 4, 2024, all Nigerian applicants for UAE visas are required to first obtain a document verification number.
Recall that the UAE had in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and behavior of some nationals of other countries in 2022 banned nationals of some 20 African countries including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai.
This was followed by a spat between Nigeria and UAE over the procedure for handling travellers entering Dubai during the pandemic which Nigeria frowned at.
The decision among others forced Emirates to exit Nigeria including claims of millions of dollars belonging to the country trapped in Nigeria.
Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu had directed the resolution of a diplomatic spat with the UAE over the suspension of Nigerian visas in retaliation for Lagos’s retention of funds owed to the Emirates.
UAE Lifts Visa Ban On Nigerians After Two Years
