By Emmanuel Nduka
Dubai authorities have rolled out fresh visa restrictions targeting Nigerian nationals, effectively banning solo tourist travel for applicants between the ages of 18 and 45.
The revised policy mandates that individuals in this age group must now be accompanied to qualify for a tourist visa.
The policy update was communicated to travel agents on Tuesday in a memo from Dubai immigration, further complicating travel plans for many Nigerians. The memo stated unequivocally: “For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for TOURIST VISA CATEGORY”.
For Nigerians aged 45 and above, Dubai is also imposing stringent financial requirements. Applicants must now submit a personal bank statement covering the past six months, showing a consistent monthly balance of at least $10,000 (or its equivalent in naira).
“An applicant who is 45yrs or above must provide a Single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000,” the memo added.
Travel agents were advised to factor in these new conditions alongside regular requirements like hotel bookings and a data page before submitting applications.
This move comes months after President Bola Tinubu’s administration announced a diplomatic thaw with the UAE, following a 2023 meeting with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan aimed at restoring bilateral ties and lifting earlier visa restrictions.
The new rules also coincided with the United States’ decision to downgrade visa privileges for Nigerians from a five-year multiple-entry to a three-month single-entry non-immigrant visa, intensifying travel challenges for Nigerian passport holders globally.
