The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied imposing a $10,000 bank balance and N640,000 fee requirement for Nigerians applying for visas. This clarification comes after widespread reports suggesting such financial conditions were necessary for visa applications.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, recently announced that UAE authorities had agreed to lift travel restrictions on Nigerians. He indicated that applicants must meet certain conditions, one of which was obtaining a document verification number from documentverificationhub.ae. The website stated that the verification process costs a non-refundable N640,000 excluding VAT for each application, which does not include the visa fee.
Additionally, reports claimed that visa applicants needed to provide a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000. These requirements were quickly condemned by many air travelers, who described them as a “constructive ban.”
However, inquiries made by The Cable to the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism revealed that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government. The department clarified that document verification inquiries should be directed to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD).
GDRFAD officials stated that the visa application process requires a personal photo and a passport with at least six months of validity. The cost of a tourist visa is approximately 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000), depending on the length of stay. Applicants also need a travel ticket and valid medical insurance for the UAE.
When questioned about the $10,000 bank balance requirement, GDRFAD responded, “We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.” In response to these clarifications, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eche Abu-Obe, assured that further clarification on the matter would be sought from the ministry’s office in the Middle East.
This situation follows a series of diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE. Barely two years ago, the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigeria due to various disputes. Additionally, Dubai’s Emirates Airline halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria could not remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
In June, after several meetings with UAE officials, the Nigerian Federal Government assured its citizens that the visa ban would soon be lifted. The government also announced that it had paid 98 percent of the $850 million owed to the UAE.
These developments are crucial for Nigerians who frequently travel to the UAE for business, tourism, and other purposes. The initial reports of strict financial requirements had caused significant concern among potential travelers. However, the UAE’s clarification has brought some relief, although there remains a need for clear and accurate information to avoid future misunderstandings.
