UAE Tightens Visa Conditions for Nigerians Amid New Restrictions
The United Arab Emirates has implemented stricter visa regulations targeting Nigerian nationals, signalling a renewed shift in its immigration stance less than a year after resolving a prior visa impasse with Nigeria.
Recent directives issued to travel agencies indicate that Nigerians aged between 18 and 45 are now barred from obtaining tourist visas unless accompanied by a sponsor or meeting specific criteria.
Furthermore, the UAE has suspended the issuance of transit visas for Nigerian travellers altogether, restricting a vital travel route for those using the UAE as a stopover destination.
For applicants aged 45 and above, the country has introduced rigorous financial scrutiny. Visa applicants in this age group must now submit six months’ worth of personal bank statements, with each month showing a minimum balance of $10,000—or its naira equivalent—to qualify for a tourist visa. This steep financial requirement is expected to deter many prospective visitors.
Applicants must also continue to provide additional supporting documents, such as hotel bookings and passport biodata pages. These adjustments are seen as a renewed clampdown on Nigerian travel following the 2023 lifting of a two-year visa ban.
Industry insiders suggest the situation could deteriorate further. Several travel agents warned that additional restrictions may be introduced soon. The new visa conditions could drastically reduce the number of Nigerian visitors to Dubai, which has historically attracted tourists, students, and entrepreneurs from Nigeria.
Observers also warn that the policy may negatively impact Dubai’s economy—particularly its tourism and business sectors—which have long benefited from Nigerian patronage.
