Nigerian travelers have denounced the United Arab Emirates government‘s decision to raise the visa fee by more than 300 percent after the country’s visa ban was lifted.
Following a Federal Executive Council meeting that President Bola Tinubu chaired on Monday, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, informed the State House correspondents that the ban had been lifted.
Idris stated that an agreement had been reached between the Federal Government and the UAE authorities to lift the travel restrictions placed on Nigerians, effective immediately.
The minister disclosed that holders of Nigerian passports can now enter the UAE without facing any difficulties. He added that Nigerians could visit documentverificationhub.ae for more information if they want to learn about the most recent changes to the UAE visa requirements.
Applicants are required to pay N640,000 as non-refundable application fees for visas.
The Document Verification Number that is issued is only valid for 14 days after it is issued or until the visa application department has completed processing it, so paying the N640,000 fee does not guarantee a visa to the United Arab Emirates.
Rose Aikigbe, a traveler at the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, expressed her outrage over the development by saying, “This is a clear indication that the UAE government does not want Nigeria in their domain.” How much is the United Kingdom taking? Why is the amount so out of reach?
“I think the Nigerian government needs to do more engagement with the government of the United Arab Emirates, please let them do something about this hike.”
In addition, Adejare Adebukola, a father of three, pleaded with the government to intervene in the hike in order to preserve his children’s dream of studying in Dubai. He claimed to have two children who would be open to the idea.
“If the government refuses to do something about this hike and the UAE government also remains adamant, I am sorry my children, whose dreams are to study in Dubai, will have to have a change of thought.”
On X, MAYOR @Enokeran2016 said, “You think FG’s 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.”
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.
