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Some diverted companies to China
Others use a Republic of Niger passport
Visa restrictions imposed by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities on Nigerians under the age of 40 have rattled Nigerian businessmen.
While it is too early to determine the long-term impact of the restrictions, it has hit many businesses that depend on Dubai for supplies.
Many affected businessmen interviewed Saturday Daily Trust Said that they are considering moving operations to China due to the actions of the UAE government.
The restriction is said to be due to the various alleged cult clashes, crime and other anti-social behaviour that many Nigerians have engaged in in Dubai.
A video of an incident in Sharjah on July 19, 2022 shows young men with machetes wreaking havoc in a block at night.
Young people yelled in apartment parking lots, smashed car windows, chased each other and vandalised other property.
Days after the video went viral online, Dubai police announced the arrest of the rogue suspects and warned the country would not tolerate a breakdown of law and order.
Immediately after the announcement, the UAE government tightened visa rules for Nigerians entering the country.
The visa portal has been updated with three new mandatory requirements for Nigerians for all visa applicants. These requirements will be scanned and uploaded to the visa portal as required to enable applicants to complete and submit visa applications online.
The three updated requirements are hotel bookings/places to stay in the UAE, bank statements for six months and return air tickets.
While the UAE government has not stated any specific reasons for the new requirement, tourism experts say the decision is to reduce the influx of people with criminal intent into the country.
Saturday Daily Trust The new rules have caused an uneasy lull as many travelers scramble to meet the new requirements.
“We are moving our business to China”
An affected businessman with Saturday Daily Trust A person in Abuja, who asked not to be named, said: “These new visa regulations have reduced the number of businessmen travelling to Dubai as most of us cannot meet the requirements.
“I’ve been in Dubai for the past three weeks. I had to use a family visa to enter the country, but now you won’t be allowed into the country unless they see your family in person and confirm you’ve followed all the rules.
“Most businessmen who go to Dubai are between the ages of 30 and 35. My passport says 35, but I started traveling to Dubai 10 years ago. I have been importing baby clothes nonstop since then, but From the day Dubai imposed these restrictions, I started experiencing supply shortages.
“The visas we usually get within 24 hours now take at least three weeks, and I have to use a family visa, which means another cost to travel with my wife. At the end of the whole thing, you get overwhelmed.
“To be honest, I am no longer interested in doing business in Dubai. China is about to open up and I will move my business there. Many of us have already made that decision.”
Some use Republic of Niger passports
In addition, Muhammad Isuhu, who imported fabrics to Katsina from Dubai, said he and his friend, both over 40, faced visa delays despite providing statements.
To avoid restrictions, some Nigerian businessmen will now travel to the Republic of Niger to obtain visas and travel without difficulty, he said.
“I was advised to go to the Republic of Niger to get a passport, but I refused because I cannot go abroad with another country’s passport; my conscience does not allow me to do so. What if something bad happens?
“This happened to a friend of ours in China. When he had a small problem with the Chinese authorities and contacted the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, they denied his citizenship and asked the authorities to hand him over to them illegally Get a passport,” he said.
He added that the regulations will affect Nigerian businesses in many ways, especially during the ember months.
“From September this year, airfares and commodity prices in Dubai will start to soar as merchants rushing to Dubai to buy cheaper goods have been blocked.
“Hotels, goods and transport will be very expensive in the ember months as people from all over the world go there for holidays and tourism.
“Also, internally, we face challenges in the supply of machines, raw materials or finished products are blocked, you can’t judge things from pictures online. For example, I sell textile materials, if they send me a picture of design and color Nice picture, how can I feel the texture? There is no software or technology that can make you feel that texture.
“As I speak to you right now, my shoe factory has signed a contract to supply 50,000 pairs of local shoes, but the restrictions are holding me back. It’s actually affecting Nigerian business interests,” he said. added.
Abubakar Nasir Sadauki, a Kano businessman who currently lives in Dubai, said Nigerians were fighting discrimination and difficulty obtaining entry visas for those who wanted to enter the country.
He said it started a few months ago when Nigerians allegedly attacked the vehicles of some residents with machetes.
“All Nigerians here have been fighting a lot of restrictions since that happened. They are now denying visas to Nigerians.
“Now, they refuse to hire Nigerians and don’t give us visas. They put some very difficult conditions on applicants.
“Some of the conditions include submitting one’s bank statements and some important documents to ensure that one is indeed a businessman and must be over 40 years old.
“Even if these conditions are met, it can take around 10 days to get it, not just a little more than two days before.
“For those of us who are still inside, only those who were able to renew their visas before the event are still here. We are in a very difficult time here,” he explained.
Similarly, Abdullahi Suyudi, another businessman in Kano, said he used to travel almost every month but has been unable to enter the country since the restrictions began.
Suyudi, who buys phone accessories from the UAE, said they will have to choose other countries to keep their business thriving.
“I hardly go a month without a trip to Dubai, but right now, it’s almost impossible. We either don’t go there and buy directly, or we buy from other countries, especially China.
“We prefer Dubai products because they are better and of higher quality than products from other countries.
“This situation has adversely affected our business and, in turn, the Nigerian economy. The atrocities committed by very few of us, we should not be punished universally, they may not even be businessmen,” Su Yudi added.
He called on Nigerian authorities to resolve diplomatic disputes in the country’s economic interests.
Saturday Daily Trust According to the report, Dubai is one of the most frequently visited countries for business and tourism by Nigerians. About 200,000 Nigerians visit the country every year, whether for business or tourism.
Before that, many Nigerians traveled to Dubai with very lax requirements until some Nigerians began to abuse the privilege, according to analysts.
Most analysts say the new development is good because it prevents fraudsters from tarnishing Nigeria’s image in the Arab world.
Mr Olumide Ohunayo, head of research and strategy at Zenith Travels, said the UAE can make any request it deems necessary in the interest of its country and its citizens.
“Each country has the right to make some consular requirements to ensure that only eligible tourists, tourists or businessmen can enter their country to protect its citizens,” he said.
“The UAE visas are very lax. It’s the most lax among Middle Eastern countries. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well. We abused it. At one point, they prevented single ladies from coming unless they were 40 and over.
“I have no problem with that. This is their country. They need to do what they need to do to protect tourists other than Nigerians and make sure their country is protected.”
Restricted due to abuse of visa process – travel agency
Speaking to the Daily Trust on Saturday, Nanta President Mrs. Susan Akpolyaye accused Nigerians of making new demands, saying the UAE authorities must have changed entry rules because of abusive visa procedures.
She said that while travel agencies were not happy with the development, everyone had to learn to go with the flow.
“They must have their reasons. It’s a foreign affair and there’s nothing anyone can do. We don’t know why they’re doing it. Maybe they’re uncomfortable with what many Nigerians are doing. Maybe they’re doing it because Nigerians have committed crimes. Increase.
“Before that, we learned of a case where a policeman was killed. I don’t think it was just one incident. Maybe it was a compilation of different events that were going on. According to them, maybe from their investigation (I also Not confirmed), it always seems that the Nigerian community does it. We have not confirmed this. Everything is according to them. They have not officially released any report to the Nigerian police saying it is the percentage of Nigerians crime.
“But this is foreign affairs. Every country has the right to do whatever they want and we can’t question them. Are we happy about it? We’re not, but there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s their country, so they decide how people get into it.
“It’s sad, but it’s also a lesson for us, when people give us ease of access, we shouldn’t abuse it. If you abuse ease of access, it’s taken away, you can’t blame them. You can’t go to another A man’s home determines how he should operate.
“It’s a lesson for all of us. It’s enough to even go to another man’s country. Why don’t we all sit here and see how we can make things better? Escape to someone else’s country and do business Or vacations are two different things. I’m not saying people shouldn’t travel for business, and I’m not saying people shouldn’t travel for vacations because if it was just business and vacations, we wouldn’t be where we are. If it was business, you Will come back, if it’s a holiday, you will come back. There is absolutely no reason for the UAE to change their rules,” she said.
Ms Akporiaye advised Nigerians visiting Dubai to do the right thing to avoid further tightening of requirements in the UAE. She said filing six months’ worth of bank statements shouldn’t be a problem for those doing legitimate business in Dubai.
She said: “The problem is that those who go on business and holidays are not coming back. It is not only in the UAE but in all other countries.
“So, there’s really not much to say other than respecting their decision. It’s not easy, but everyone has to adapt. And for those who have the right things to do, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mrs. Francesca Omayuli also advised Nigerians to accept the guidance of the new regime.
“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria was caught by a video on social media purportedly showing stranded Nigerians arriving at Dubai Airport on 29 August 2022 but being refused entry despite holding a valid visa.
“The Nigerian Mission in Dubai clarified that most of the Nigerians allegedly stranded were given family visas and just arrived in Dubai without any family members. As a result, they were refused entry and advised to return to their home countries and apply for the appropriate Visas. However, those who are allowed to enter the country have family members in the UAE.
“Those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport for their arrival,” Omayuli explained.
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