THE United Arab Emirates has announced a sweeping change to its immigration policy concerning Nigerian travellers, including the outright suspension of transit visa applications and the imposition of tougher eligibility requirements for tourist visas.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the updated rules, confirmed by multiple travel agents on Tuesday, are expected to drastically cut down the number of Nigerian nationals travelling to Dubai, a city that has long served as a major hub for Nigerian tourists, shoppers, and small business operators.
According to a directive issued by Dubai immigration authorities, Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 are no longer eligible for tourist visas if travelling alone. Those within that age group must now be accompanied, though the document did not specify by whom—whether a guardian, family member, or business associate.
More stringent financial documentation is also required. Applicants aged 45 years and above must now submit a six-month personal bank statement, with each monthly balance showing a minimum of $10,000 or its naira equivalent, to qualify for a tourist visa.
A formal travel advisory distributed to Nigerian-based visa agents stated:
“For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for the TOURIST VISA CATEGORY.
An applicant who is 45 years or above must provide a Single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of the last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.”
The notice also instructed that these new conditions be fulfilled in addition to routine application requirements such as hotel reservations, travel itinerary, and a valid international passport.
Though UAE authorities have not publicly cited a specific reason for the new policy, experts believe it may be linked to concerns over immigration abuses, visa overstays, or irregular migration patterns involving Nigerian nationals.
The policy shift is already causing ripples in Nigeria’s travel and tourism industry. Dubai has remained a favored destination for Nigerians seeking leisure, medical tourism, education, and commerce—especially for small-scale entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border trade.
Industry insiders say the latest restrictions could lead to a sharp decline in outbound travel to the UAE and hurt related sectors such as aviation, logistics, and travel consultancy.
“This policy is going to heavily impact travel volumes. Many young Nigerians travel solo to Dubai for shopping, holidays, and business. Now they will be disqualified unless they meet very tight conditions,” said Bolaji Ayodele, a Lagos-based travel consultant.
The UAE’s decision comes barely 24 hours after the United States also issued a toughened visa policy targeting Nigerian nationals.
Effective July 8, 2025, most non-diplomatic, non-immigrant U.S. visas issued to Nigerians will now be valid for only three months and allow only a single entry, according to a press statement from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
The back-to-back announcements from two of Nigeria’s most popular travel destinations have led to rising concern about deteriorating visa relations between Nigeria and foreign governments. Some observers have called for the Nigerian government to respond diplomatically and take measures to restore international confidence.
As of press time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued an official response to either development.