The Federal Government has admonished Nigerians intending to travel to the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to adhere strictly to the country’s new visa rules.
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The Federal Government issued a statement Thursday in reaction to trending visuals showing some Nigerians stranded at Dubai Airport on August 29, having been denied entry into the country.

The statement, signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca K. Omayuli, indicated that Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that most of the supposedly stranded Nigerians were issued with family visas, only to arrive in Dubai alone without any family members.

“Consequently, they were denied entry and advised to return to their country and apply for the appropriate visas.

“However, those persons allowed entry into the country have their family members in the UAE while those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport pending their arrival.

“The general public is invited to note and be guided that the government of the UAE has introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas.”

The Nigerian government therefore advised prospective visa applicants to indicate clearly their visa preferences without any ambiguity and to equally respect the immigration laws of other countries so as to avoid unwarranted treatment.

The Nigerian statement did not, however, explain if the issue has been resolved and whether the stranded Nigerians have finally been granted entry or have returned to Nigeria.
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