Market News

Following the lift of visa ban on Nigerian passport holders on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has demanded that applicants pay a sum of N640,000 as non-refundable application fees for visas.

BusinessDay’s findings show that before the visa ban, the fee was $100. With the current naira to dollar exchange rate (N1,555), in the I & E window, it cost N155,500.

Also part of the requirements to visit UAE with a Nigerian passport is that applicants must obtain a Document Verification Number, (DVN) before applying for visa.

The N640,000 fee does not guarantee a visa to UAE as issued DVN will only be valid for 14 days of issuance or once the visa application has been processed by the visa application department (whichever of these come first).

These are in accordance to the new visa issuance guidelines established by the government of the UAE.

Several Nigerians have taken to their X handle to express their displeasure on the new visa fee.

NEFERTITI with X handle @firstladyship stated, “It is obvious the UAE don’t want Nigerians. They reluctantly unbanned the Nigerian passport, but slammed a hefty N640,000 on Nigerians. “Guess what? The money is nonrefundable & has expiration date. This is see finish.”

Prince with X handle @Peco3D, state “This is just extortion in fine words. Shameless”

“This is exploitation and shameful if allowed by Nigeria government,” Lucky man with X handle @Comr_lucky1 stated.

“You think FG constant solicitation was for mere Nigerians? The constant appeal from the Nigerian government to lift travel bans to the UAE appears to primarily benefit wealthy individuals and politicians seeking a haven for their ill-gotten wealth, rather than ordinary Nigerians,” MAYOR @Enokeran2016 with X handle stated.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation on Tuesday disclosed that the UAE has lifted the Visa ban on Nigerians travelling to the country.

The Minister made the announcement in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister on Monday in Abuja.

“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of Visa for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today July 15, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain Visa to go to the United Arab Emirates.

“I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so,” said Idris.

The UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigeria about two years ago due to various diplomatic disputes.

Additionally, Dubai’s Emirates Airline halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.

In June, following several meetings with the UAE government, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would soon be lifted. In the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 per cent of $850m.