The United Arab Emirates has clarified that it has not approved a $10,000 bank balance or a N640,000 fee for Nigerians applying for visas, contrary to recent reports. The Cable initially reported these requirements, causing confusion and concern among potential travelers.
On Monday, the UAE government confirmed the removal of travel restrictions for Nigerian citizens, as announced by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation. Idris mentioned that visa applicants must meet specific conditions, including obtaining a document verification number from the website documentverificationhub.ae.
The website claimed that the verification process costs a non-refundable N640,000, excluding VAT, and does not cover the actual visa fee. Additionally, it was suggested that applicants need to provide a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000. This information led to widespread criticism, with many labeling the new requirements as a “constructive ban.”
However, inquiries by The Cable to the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism revealed discrepancies. The department clarified that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government. Instead, document verification should be directed to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD).
The GDRFAD outlined the actual visa application process, which includes submitting a personal photo and a passport with at least six months validity. The cost of a tourist visa ranges from 200 to 300 dirhams (approximately N60,000 to N90,000), depending on the length of stay. Other requirements include a travel ticket and valid medical insurance for the UAE.
Regarding the $10,000 bank balance requirement, a GDRFAD representative stated, “We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assured that the ministry would seek further clarification from its office in the Middle East.
This development comes after the UAE lifted a visa ban on Nigerians, which had been in place for nearly two years due to diplomatic disputes. Additionally, Dubai’s Emirates Airline had halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria failed to remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
In June, after several meetings between the Nigerian and UAE governments, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would be lifted. Later that month, the Nigerian government announced it had paid 98 percent of the $850 million owed.
