The United Arab Emirates has introduced new travel restrictions for Nigerians, blocking access to transit visas and tightening the conditions for tourist visa applicants.
The latest directive, which was sent to travel agents on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, comes barely a year after the UAE lifted a long-standing visa ban on Nigerian passport holders.
Despite the resumption of visa services last year, Nigerian travellers have continued to face hurdles, and the situation now appears to be getting tougher.
Under the new rules, Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 are no longer eligible for tourist visas unless they are travelling with someone, though the specifics of who qualifies as a companion were not clearly stated.
In addition, those aged 45 and above are required to present a personal bank statement covering the last six months.
Each month’s balance must show a minimum of $10,000 or its naira equivalent.
Applications must also include other supporting documents like hotel bookings and passport data pages, but agents say the visa process is expected to become even more difficult going forward.
These fresh restrictions are expected to reduce the number of Nigerian visitors to Dubai, a city that remains popular for business and tourism.
In a related development, the United States government has introduced a new visa rule that affects most Nigerians seeking to travel to America for non-official and non-immigrant purposes.
Starting from Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Nigerian applicants will now receive visas that are valid for only three months and allow just a single entry.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria explained that the change is based on a principle of mutual treatment between both countries.
The adjustment means that the U.S. is now aligning its visa rules with how Nigerian authorities treat American citizens who apply for Nigerian visas.
Before this new policy took effect, many Nigerians were granted U.S. visas that lasted for two years or even five years, with the benefit of making multiple entries during that period.
The U.S. embassy noted that the decision is part of its worldwide visa reciprocity program, which reviews how American citizens are treated in other countries and responds accordingly.
The visa policy can be adjusted from time to time depending on the outcome of such reviews, and may include changes in the length of stay and number of entries allowed.
According to the embassy, the U.S. government applies global technical and security guidelines in its visa decisions to maintain the standards of its immigration system.
