Visa restriction placed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may soon be over as President Bola Tinubu has directed that the issues which, led to the restriction be resolved as soon as possible.
The president dropped the hint when he received Letter of Credence from the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salam Saeed Al-Shamsi at the State House on Thursday.
The UAE Immigration authorities in October 2022 announced a visa ban on Nigerians, with all pending applications rejected and fees non-refundable, in a notice issued to its trade partners in Nigeria, including travel agencies.
No reason was given for the ban, but the emirate’s authorities indicated that all applications had been on-hold until “issues” between the UAE government and the Nigerian were resolved.
Al-Shamsi (L), with Tinubu, shortly after presentation of Letter of Credence to the Nigerian president at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking with the
Ambassador to Nigeria, President Tinubu said that he would personally be involved in the resolution of whatever issues that prompted the Dubai authorities to suspend visa issuance to Nigerian citizens, with the exception of diplomatic officials.
However, Nigeria was not the only country the UAE restricted visa offer. Nigeria was among 22 countries that were slammed with the visa restriction with 20 African countries making up the list. Other countries affected were Sudan, Burundi, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Republic of Guinea, the Gambia, Liberia,Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Congo, Rwanda, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and Ivory Coast.
Various allegations of internet fraud, high-scale digital criminalities and irregular visa application details against Africans living in Dubai were suspected to be the cause of the visa suspension.
