Resumption of visas for Nigerians in the UAE: the beginning of a new era of cooperation

From July 15, 2024, Nigerian citizens can again obtain visas to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) thanks to a new agreement reached between the Nigerian and UAE governments. This was announced by Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on his official X (formerly Twitter) page. This came as welcome news to many Nigerians as the UAE lifted the two-year visa ban.

Negotiations between the countries have been successful, with updated visa requirements, which should make the process easier for Nigerian tourists and business travelers. As noted in the minister's statement, all required documents for a visa must be verified through the newly introduced Document Verification Number (DVN) system. This is a new measure to provide an extra layer of security and prevent the use of fake documents. It is worth noting that the DVN is not required for children under the age of 13.

Background

Recall that the visa ban was imposed in October 2022 without official explanation, which caused a wave of discontent and seriously affected diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. To resolve the situation, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu made a visit to the UAE in late 2023. The move allowed for discussions on visa restrictions for Nigerians and the resumption of Emirates airline flights, which had also been suspended due to financial and operational problems.

Following this meeting, Emirates announced in May 2024 that it would resume flights to Nigeria from October 1, 2024, marking a new phase in the restoration of ties between the countries. However, the official lifting of the visa ban was expected for several more months, raising concerns in Nigeria. In June, Nigeria's Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed that the final lifting of the visa ban was imminent, an event that became a reality in July.