The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the visa ban on Nigerians travelling to the country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in a statement on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Idris noted: “Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders.

“This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa.

“The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.

“Nigerians wishing to learn more about the updated visa conditions from the UAE can visit documentverificationhub.ae for any additional information.”

The Star recalls that the Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo recently said the UAE government would soon lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerians.

Minister: UAE’ll lift visa ban on Nigerians soon

Keyamo, while speaking in an interview with the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Otega Ogra, disclosed that a resolution had been reached between Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the president’s working visit to the UAE in September 2023.

The minister added that though the UAE initially listed additional processes to be met before the ban could be officially lifted, the Nigerian government had completed all these processes, paving the way for an imminent announcement from the UAE government.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in September 2023, announced that the visa ban on Nigerian travellers to the Arab country had been lifted with immediate effect.

Ngelale said the development was the product of engagement between Tinubu and the UAE President.

However, the development was later debunked by the government of the Arab nation, saying the ban had not been lifted on Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines, on May 16, announced October 1, 2024, as the date to resume flight operations to Nigerian airports.

“We’re back Nigeria! We’ll be resuming services to Lagos from 1 October 2024, and we can’t wait to offer unrivalled connectivity to Dubai and beyond to over 140 cities,” the airline announced via a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Star