The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that Nigerian passport holders can now obtain visas for travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting today, July 15, 2024. This follows an agreement reached between the governments of Nigeria and the UAE.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He stated that the visa ban, which had been in place since October 2022, has been lifted following successful talks and extensive negotiations between the two countries.
The agreement includes updated controls and conditions for obtaining a UAE visa. One key requirement is that Nigerian passport holders must first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for their visa. This new regulation ensures that all necessary documents are digitally verified and authenticated prior to visa issuance. Individuals under the age of 13 are exempt from requiring a DVN for their visa applications.
To obtain a DVN, Nigerian passport holders need to visit the Document Verification Hub, complete an online application form accurately, and upload necessary identification documents and travel history. Once submitted, the UAE government will review the documents, and if approved, the DVN will be issued within five business days.
The visa ban, which significantly affected travel and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE, was imposed without explanation. President Bola Tinubu’s working visit to the UAE in late 2023 played a crucial role in resolving the visa restrictions and the suspension of Emirates Airlines flights to Nigeria. Following the resolution, Emirates Airlines announced it would resume operations in Nigeria on October 1, 2024, after a two-year suspension.
Despite the delay in officially lifting the visa ban, the Nigerian government consistently reassured the public that the UAE would soon announce the date for lifting the restriction. This latest development marks a positive step in restoring travel and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
