By The Federal Government has said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would deny entry visas to Nigerians younger than the age of 40.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli on Thursday night.
Reacting to a now-viral video of Nigerians who were reportedly detained at the Dubai airport, the Ministry said the affected persons ended up in the situation because they failed to apply for the appropriate visas.
“The Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that most of the supposedly stranded Nigerians were issued with family visas, only to arrive Dubai alone without any family member,” the statement read in part.
“Consequently, they were denied entry and advised to return to their country and apply for the appropriate visas.
“However, those persons allowed entry into the country have their family members in the UAE. While those who claimed their family members were on another flight, were told to wait at the airport, pending their arrival.
“The general public is invited to note and be guided that the Government of the UAE has introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas.
“It is, therefore, instructive for prospective visa applicants to indicate clearly their visa preferences without any ambiguity and also respect the immigration laws of other countries so as to avoid unwarranted treatments.”
Also commenting on the development, the CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the new rule won’t affect those applying for family visas.
She wrote on Instagram, “The UAE government has now introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas.
“However, to evade the new visa rules, some applicants request ‘family visas’.
“However, on arrival some travel alone and arrive without family, so they are turned back from the airport. Also, the UAE authorities demand return ticket, valid 6 month bank account statement and a valid residence address.
“There have been quite a number of Nigerian passengers turned back from the UAE airport in the last few weeks.”
