In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully negotiated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lift the visa ban on Nigerian passport holders.
“As of today, July 15, 2024, Nigerians can now apply for visas to travel to the UAE.” This pivotal announcement was made by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The UAE’s decision to lift the visa ban comes after extensive and productive talks between the Nigerian and UAE governments. Idris said that this development is the result of successful, mutually beneficial negotiations.
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However, these discussions have led to the establishment of updated controls and conditions that will facilitate the visa application process for Nigerian passport holders.
“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria @NigeriaGov, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders. This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa,” stated the Minister in his X post.
Under the new agreement, Nigerian passport holders must first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before they can apply for a UAE visa. This requirement is part of the updated conditions set by the UAE to ensure all necessary documents are digitally verified and authenticated prior to visa issuance.
However, individuals under the age of 13 are exempt from needing a DVN for their visa applications.
The process for obtaining a DVN and applying for a UAE visa involves several steps. First, Nigerian passport holders must visit the Document Verification Hub and complete the online application form accurately to initiate the DVN process. They are then required to upload necessary documents, including identification documents and travel history, for verification.
Once the documents are submitted, the UAE government will review them, and if approved, the applicant will receive their DVN within five business days. Finally, the obtained DVN can be used to proceed with the UAE visa application.
The lifting of the visa ban marks the end of a restrictive period that began in October 2022, when UAE immigration authorities imposed a visa ban on Nigerian passport holders without providing any reasons for the decision. This ban significantly impacted travel and diplomatic relations between the two countries, causing frustration and inconvenience for Nigerian travelers and businesses.
In response to the visa ban, President Bola Tinubu undertook a working visit to the UAE in the fourth quarter of 2023. His agenda included resolving the visa restrictions for Nigerians and addressing the suspension of Emirates Airlines flights to Nigeria.
During his visit, President Tinubu engaged in discussions with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leading to an agreement to lift the visa ban on Nigerian travelers.
Following this high-level meeting, Emirates Airlines announced on May 16, 2024, that it would resume operations in Nigeria on October 1, 2024, ending a two-year suspension. This announcement was a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two countries.
However, the delay in officially lifting the visa ban led to considerable public discourse in Nigeria. Government authorities consistently reassured the public that the UAE would soon announce the date for lifting the ban.
In June 2024, the Federal Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that the UAE government would soon reveal the date for lifting the visa ban. Minister Keyamo explained that although President Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had agreed to lift the ban during Tinubu’s September 2023 visit, additional processes were required before implementation.
The lifting of the visa ban and the resumption of Emirates Airlines operations are expected to usher in a new chapter of positive developments in the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UAE.
The Lifting Came with An Ish
While the lifting has made it possible for Nigerians to once again, travel to the UAE, it has come with a requirement that Nigerians find absurd. The mandatory verification process on the DVN hub requires a non-refundable fee of N688,000, which includes N640,000 for the document verification fee and N48,000 for the 7.5% Value Added Tax.
Nigerians believe the UAE may have nothing to do with the verification fee, and if they do, it is a ploy to keep as many Nigerians as possible away. There is unconfirmed report that the DVN hub is run by a Canadian IT contractor, who many believe may have been contracted by the Nigerian government.
The idea they say, could be to use the opportunity to generate revenue for the government.