The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stringent new visa restrictions for Nigerian travelers, barring those aged 18 to 45 from applying for tourist visas unless accompanied by a family member or group.
The policy, effective immediately, was communicated to travel agents on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and also includes a complete ban on transit visa applications for Nigerian nationals.
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According to directives from Dubai immigration authorities, Nigerians aged 18 to 45 traveling alone are no longer eligible for the tourist visa category.
For those aged 45 and above, a six-month personal bank statement showing a minimum monthly closing balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent) is now required to qualify for a tourist visa. Additional documents, such as hotel bookings and passport biodata pages, must also be submitted.
The new measures follow the UAE’s lifting of a two-year visa ban on Nigerians in September 2024, a decision that had initially been welcomed by the travel community.
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However, the reintroduction of strict conditions has sparked concern among travel agents and aviation stakeholders, who predict a significant decline in Nigerian visitors to Dubai, a popular destination for tourism and business.
Travel experts and the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) have expressed dismay, noting that the restrictions may further strain Nigeria-UAE relations