The Federal Government has given the reason for the alleged hostile treatment of Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates(UAE)
Recently, social media have been saturated with reports of inhuman treatments meted to Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates(UAE)
Commenting on the issue, Chairman , Nigerians in Diaspora Commission(NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated that the UAE authorities recently released new guidelines for visa applications for people under the age of 40.
She disclosed that six months genuine bank statements, accommodation details, as well as a return ticket, must be produced on arrival.
Daily Trust reports that UAE authorities had tightened visa rules for Nigerians in the aftermath of an unrest by some Nigerians in the country.
In a statement, Dabiri-Erewa said, ‘’Recall the recent warning issued a while ago. The UAE Government has now introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visa 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’’. 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 months 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.’’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement , advising Nigerians to respect the new visa rules of the UAE Government.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry, Francisca K. Omayuli (MRS) said ,’’The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to a video on the social media , showing purportedly stranded Nigerians, who arrived the Airport in Dubai, UAE on 29 August,2022, but were denied entry into the country, despite having valid 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.
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’’.
‘’However, to evade the new visa rules, some applicants request ‘’family visas’’. On arrival , some travel alone and arrive without family.
So, they are turned back from the airport. Also , thee UAE authorities demand a Return Ticket, valid 6 months 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.’’