After US, UAE Bans Transit Visas For Nigerians

Barely a day after the United States halted the issuance of multiple visa entries to some categories of Nigerian travellers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also amended its visa policy to affect Nigerians.

The UAE restriction comes 10 months after the UAE amended its visa policy for Nigerians, further restricting the country’s citizens from travelling to the Asian country.

LEADERSHIP reports that travel agencies had on Wednesday indicated that the UAE banned transit visas for Nigerians.

The UAE Government communicated this new directive to travel agencies on Tuesday, according to our source.

RELATED: US Restricts Visa Validity For Nigerians, Issues Single-entry Permits

According to the government, Nigerian applicants aged 18 to 46 years travelling alone was not eligible for tourism visa category, while an applicant who is 45 years and above must provide a single Nigerian personal bank statement for six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of $10,000 or its naira equivalent.

Also, just on the same Tuesday, the US Mission in Nigeria, updated its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.

According to the mission, effective from Tuesday, July 8, 2025, most non-immigrant and non-official visas for Nigerian citizens would be single-entry with only three months’ validity.

It, however, said that visas issued before July 8, 2025, remained unchanged.

A travel ambassador, Ikechi Uko, however described the US visa change for Nigerians was a good development.

Uko in his comment, said that this may compel the Nigerian Government to “work on its outdated visa policy.”

He insisted that visa approval is on reciprocity, lamenting that Nigeria only reciprocates on visa fees, not on access or duration.

“The last time, Trump (President Donald) got us to drop on extra visa fees. This time, he has hit us harder. Now, a three-month visa will make Nigeria sit up.

“Our visa policy is not modern. Multiple entry visas, long-term visas and airport visa-on-arrival to countries that offer Nigeria the same.

“Ghana secures a no-visit visa agreement with Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa and now Morocco. We need to do better. Morocco, Kenya and Qatar have reformed recently to receive more visitors,” he said.