FG advises Nigerian travellers to UAE on new visa regime –

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is advising Nigerians travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to follow the new visa regime introduced by the UAE government.

Under the new visa regime, the UAE has stopped issuing tourist visas to those under the age of 40, with the exception of those applying for family visas.

In a press release issued by the Abuja Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by Francesca Omayuri, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken notice of a video on social media showing an allegedly stranded Nigerian people who arrived at Dubai Airport, UAE on 29 August 2022 and were refused entry despite holding a valid visa.”

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In a press release, Omayuli explained that the Nigerian Mission in Dubai clarified that most of the Nigerians who were allegedly stranded were given family visas and only arrived in Dubai alone without any family members, and as a result, they were refused entry and advised Return to your home country and apply for the appropriate visa.

She further explained that those who were allowed into the country had family members in the UAE, while those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport, awaiting their arrival.

“Therefore, it is instructive for potential visa applicants to clearly state their visa preferences and respect other countries’ immigration laws in order to avoid unnecessary treatment,” Omayuli added.