Reason UAE Stopped Nigerians From Entering Dubai

The federal government has disclosed the reason Nigerians who travelled to United Arab Emirates were met with a hostile atmosphere.

Ezenwoko’s Blog recalls that a video showing some Nigerians stranded in Dubai international airport surfaced on social media, with a Twitter user, @dunchichi, saying at least 20 Nigerians were stuck at the airport and their passports seized.

Speaking on the incident, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM),  Abike Dabiri-Erewa said that some Nigerians who were sent back from Dubai tried to manipulate the new visa rules.

Sharing her findings via Twitter, Dabiri-Erewa explained that despite warnings from the country on the new United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa rules for certain age categories, some Nigerians tried to “circumvent” the regulations.

She wrote: “Warned on the new UAE visa rules for certain age categories. Many now try to circumvent by applying for ‘family visas’. They get the visas and travel alone. Also 6 months genuine bank statement, accommodation, return ticket must be produced. Another set to be sent back now.”

UAE visa rules require that Nigerian passengers “must have a hotel booking or proof of accommodation address for the whole period of intended stay”, but this does not apply to persons with resident visa.