Dubai Immigration has stopped approving visas for Nigerians, according to multiple reports monitored by Investogist.
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Business Day reported that although there is no official statement from the UAE government, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) licensed to issue electronic visas to travellers bound for the UAE announced in a statement that Dubai Immigration has stopped approving visas for Nigerians at the moment.
“All previously submitted Applications are currently on hold. Kindly note this is beyond our control. We will update once visas start getting approved ,” DMC is reported to have added in its statement.
Punch in its report stated that Dubai Immigration, in the notice to its trade partners, which include travel agents, stated that “all Dubai applications submitted are now rejected.”
A travel agent that spoke to Punch correspondent stated that the new order would be due to the concerns between the Nigerian and IAE governments, as no reason was given by Dubai authorities for the visa application suspension.
A notice received by the agents calls for them to advise thier clients to resubmit C2=A0 applications when the issue is resolved between both governments.
Our investigation on Google flights shows that despite the visa ban, two flights will be departing for Dubai from Lagos today, 23rd October. Air Peace 7557 is scheduled to depart LOS by 18:00 to arrive DXB by 04:55 on 24th, while Emirates 784 is scheduled to depart by 18:15 to arrive DXB by 05:00.
A corresponding search on Dubai Airports shows an Emirates EK784 flight arriving from Murtala Muhammed International Airport by 05:00.
Traveling to and from Dubai for travellers with visas or resident permits is not expected to be impacted.
In another development, about 500 Nigerians stranded in Dubai would be evacuated back to Nigeria by the Federal Government. The returnees were expected to arrive the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, and would be received by the National Hajj facility of the General Aviation Terminal private wing, NAA.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
