Victor EzejaNigerians have condemned the new visa issuance requirement introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the lift of the visa ban on Nigerian passport holders.
Prime Business Africa reports that UAE on Monday, 15th July, lifted the visa ban on Nigerian passport holders to the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, confirmed it saying: “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.”
The information minister, in the statement, directed Nigerians who wish to apply for visa to visit the Document Verification Hub for the new visa issuance guidelines.
READ ALSO: Netizens Berate Govt For Celebrating UAE’s Lifting Of Visa Ban On Nigerians
The new guideline requires Nigerian passport holders to have proof of bank account with a minimum balance of $10,000, and also pay a non-refundable fee of N640,000 for Document Verification Number (DVN) before they can apply for Visa.
Checks by Prime Business Africa correspondent on the Document Verification Hub shows that Nigerian passport holders applying for UAE visa must pay the N640,000 and fill their details on the portal and await the DVN to be sent to their email within five business days.
Prime Business Africa understands that the fee is different from visa application, which according to the guideline, can be paid through credit card at the UAE Visa Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, while Nigerians residing abroad, can pay the visa fee at the nearest UAE Visa Centre.
The N640,000 fee does not guarantee a visa to UAE as the issued document verification number will be valid for 14 days from issuance or once the visa application has been processed by the visa application department (whichever of these come first).
This is as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in a statement via his X handle on Monday night said he held a private meeting with the UAE ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, “to fine-tune some modalities for the resumption of these activities in view of the newly-established rapprochement.”
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise the UAE’s new visa issuance policy.
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, stated “Dubai Authorities slammed the non refundable 640k because we have shown desperation to visit their country. How many UAE investments are there in Nigeria?”
An X user @Damocleansword stated: “N640,000 to verify documents. Not even for the visa itself. This is a visa ban by another name. They don’t want you there.”
Abdul Rasheed with X handle @Rasheethe said: “Dubai Visa Verification charges a fee of N640,000 for verification purposes only. The total amount required to obtain the UAE visa will be approximately 1 million. This is currently the most expensive visa. The ban should have been maintained.”
Prince with X handle @Peco3D, stated: “This is just extortion in fine words. Shameless.”
NEFERTITI with X handle @firstladyship said: “It is obvious the UAE don’t want Nigerians. They reluctantly unbanned the Nigerian passport, but slammed a hefty N640,000 on Nigerians.
“Guess what? The money is nonrefundable & has expiration date. This is see finish.”
“This is exploitation and shameful if allowed by Nigeria government,” Lucky man with X handle @Comr_lucky1 stated.
Adeseun with X handle @adeseun4u2c wrote: “How is it justifiable for the UAE to charge Nigerians a sum of N640,000 for document verification prior to visa application.
“This is different from the visa application cost. To make matter worse, the validity of the verified doc is just 14 days! This is exploitative!”
In another tweet, he said: “It’s not about affordability. After all, travelling even within Africa has always been expensive for Africans.
“It’s about exploitation. Why should anyone pay N640k to verify a passport & the validity is 14 days? Which means they’ll have to re-verify to travel again with same passport.”
“UAE has made her sacrifices, paid her dues and now they have the right to raise hands. This is a big slap on a country like Nigeria. Fix your gaddemn country and no country can trample on your ego. Oh that man is shameless for joyfully announcing this, like it’s an achievement,” @MasterAdetoye wrote.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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