Nigeria’s Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, revealed that he had a meeting with the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria, SalemS aeed Al-Shamsio to discuss the details of resuming direct flights between the two nations and the issuing of UAE visas to Nigerians.
Keyamo made this disclosure via his official X handle on Tuesday. The agreement includes updated requirements for obtaining a UAE visa.
“Following the announcement of the resumption of issuance of UAE visas to Nigerians and the resumption of direct flights between both countries, earlier this evening I held a private meeting with the UAE ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi to fine-tune some modalities for the resumption of these activities in view of the newly-established rapprochement,” Keyamo’s X post read.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris had declared on Monday that the Federal Government has reached a deal with the United Arab Emirates that will enable holders of Nigerian passports to apply for visas in order to enter the country as early as July 15, 2024.
Idris stressed that the successful discussions and lengthy negotiations between the UAE and Nigeria, which resulted in revised procedures and circumstances for acquiring a UAE visa, are what led to this travel resume.
In his statement, he asked Nigerians who were considering visiting the United Arab Emirates to check out the Document Verification Hub, a website that serves to authenticate and confirm the necessary paperwork for visa applications.
Applicants must verify their documents for a non-refundable fee of N688,000, which includes N640,000 for the fee and an additional 7.5% VAT. This process is required to obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN), necessary to proceed with the visa application.
According to the Document Verification Hub, in order to acquire a UAE visa, one must now furnish a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000, proof of confirmed round-trip airline tickets, and evidence of a paid hotel reservation.
In addition, the UAE Visa Center in Abuja, requires credit card payments for the visa fee. The cost can be paid at the closest UAE Visa Center by Nigerian nationals living overseas.
Nigerians have responded to these new standards, with many voicing concerns that some of these conditions are difficult for the typical Nigerian traveler to meet in order to visit the United Arab Emirates.
