The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rolled out significantly stricter visa requirements for Nigerian travellers, including an outright ban on transit visa applications, and a new set of conditions that will restrict tourist visa approvals, particularly for younger applicants.
According to travel agents and confirmed notices from UAE immigration authorities, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 will no longer be eligible for tourist visas if travelling unaccompanied. This age group must now travel with a family member or part of a group to qualify.
For Nigerians aged 45 and above, the rules are no less stringent. They are now required to submit a six-month personal bank statement, with each month reflecting a minimum end balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent). Only individual Nigerian bank accounts are accepted—corporate or joint accounts will not suffice.
In addition to financial documentation, visa applicants must also provide:
- A confirmed hotel reservation
- A valid return flight ticket
- A copy of their passport bio-data page
- A passport photo and other standard supporting documents
A statement shared with travel agents reads:
“For Nigerian nationals, please bear in mind that an applicant aged 18 to 45 years travelling alone is not eligible for the TOURIST VISA CATEGORY.
“An applicant who is 45 years or above must provide a Single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of the last six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of USD 10,000 or its naira equivalent.
“Kindly note that the above points must be taken into consideration before sending your applications with other existing documents such as hotel reservation, data page, etc,” the notification reads.
The UAE’s immigration office did not give an official reason for the new policy, but sources suggest the move is part of an ongoing effort to control irregular migration and tighten security, particularly after a series of undocumented cases involving visa overstays and misuse.
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The ban on transit visa applications is also expected to significantly affect Nigerian travellers who frequently use Dubai International Airport as a connecting hub to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. With this decision, Nigerians can no longer stop over or change flights in Dubai without a final destination visa, a shift that will impact both personal and business travel.
Travel agencies across Nigeria have already begun issuing advisories to clients, warning them to meet all new criteria before submitting visa applications to avoid automatic rejection.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens to comply fully with the updated rules and has initiated communication with UAE authorities to clarify the long-term intent of the changes.
This marks the latest development in an often tense diplomatic and travel relationship between Nigeria and the UAE. Visa restrictions had previously been eased in late 2023, but this fresh wave of limitations signals a renewed tightening of entry for one of Africa’s largest travelling populations.
All new rules take immediate effect, with second-party or group visa applications and higher-income travellers now representing the most likely path to successful entry into the UAE.