The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed stricter visa requirements for Nigerian travelers, including a ban on transit visa applications and new limitations on tourist visas, sparking fresh concern across Nigeria’s travel and tourism sectors.
According to a notification sent to Nigerian travel agents and confirmed by Daily Trust, Nigerian nationals aged between 18 and 45 are now ineligible to apply for tourist visas unless accompanied. This policy change comes barely a year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa suspension on Nigerians in 2024.
No More Transit Visas for Nigerians
The new directive specifically states that transit visa applications from Nigerian passport holders will no longer be processed. Travel agents report that this move will significantly disrupt business and leisure travel plans for many Nigerians using Dubai as a transit hub to other international destinations.
Tighter Requirements for Tourist Visa Applicants
Under the updated guidelines from Dubai Immigration:
1. Nigerians aged 18 to 45 years are not eligible for tourist visas if traveling alone.
2. Applicants aged 45 and above must provide: A personal bank statement from a Nigerian bank covering the last six months, Each month’s statement must show a minimum closing balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent)
3. All standard visa documentation such as passport bio-data pages and hotel reservations are still required.
Industry Reaction and Implications
Travel agents in Nigeria have described the development as “a massive blow” to the country’s outbound travel market.
“The visa restrictions are getting tighter and more complex. A lot of Nigerians who regularly visit Dubai for business, medical treatment, or tourism are now being effectively shut out,” one Abuja-based travel consultant told Daily Trust.
The move is expected to significantly reduce travel volumes between Nigeria and the UAE, particularly to Dubai, one of the most frequented destinations for Nigerian travelers.
Background
In 2021, the UAE had imposed a blanket visa ban on Nigerian passport holders due to diplomatic and security-related tensions. The ban was lifted in 2024, but was accompanied by tough new entry conditions, including higher documentation standards and financial proof.
This latest development adds yet another hurdle for Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE, amid already stringent foreign travel conditions faced by many citizens.
