…Only those above 45 with $10,000 bank balance eligible for tourist visa
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has again imposed strict travel restrictions on Nigerian passport holders, banning all transit visa applications and introducing tougher requirements for tourist visas.
In a new directive circulated to travel agents on Tuesday, UAE authorities declared that Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 are no longer eligible to apply for tourist visas unless they are traveling in groups or with official sponsorship.
The UAE also announced a total suspension of transit visa applications from Nigerians, a move that has raised fresh concerns in the travel and business communities.
This latest development comes less than a year after the UAE lifted a two-year visa ban on Nigerians, which had been a major diplomatic flashpoint between both countries.
Although the resumption of visa services in 2024 was seen as a thaw in relations, the introduction of the new restrictions has cast doubts on the sustainability of that progress.
According to a notification from Dubai immigration shared with Nigerian travel agencies, applicants above 45 years old will now have to meet steep financial conditions.
Specifically, they must provide a six-month personal bank statement from a Nigerian bank, with each month’s closing balance reflecting a minimum of $10,000 or its naira equivalent.
The advisory reads: “For Nigeria nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for TOURIST VISA CATEGORY.
An applicant who is 45yrs or above must provide a single Nigerian personal bank statement for the last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.”
The UAE authorities maintained that in addition to the bank statement, applicants must still meet existing documentation requirements including hotel reservations, valid passport data pages, and proof of accommodation.
Travel agents who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES expressed frustration over the new rules, describing them as discriminatory and damaging to legitimate tourism and business travel.
“This is another blow to Nigerians who rely on Dubai for trade and leisure. These requirements are almost impossible for the average traveler to meet,” said a Lagos-based tour operator.
In recent years, the UAE has cited concerns over immigration abuse, visa violations, and criminal activity as reasons for tightening its immigration policies toward Nigerians.
However, critics argue that the broad restrictions unfairly punish law-abiding citizens and hurt diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
There was no official response yet from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of press time, but diplomatic sources say discussions are ongoing between Abuja and Abu Dhabi to ease the restrictions.
This is not the first time Nigeria and the UAE have clashed over travel and visa-related issues. In 2022, Emirates Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria due to unresolved disputes over trapped funds, and the subsequent visa ban deepened the standoff.
For now, Nigerians hoping to visit Dubai or transit through the UAE will have to explore alternative routes or wait for a possible resolution.
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