After the visa ban on Nigerian passport holders was lifted on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of N640,000 for visas.

BusinessDay’s investigation reveals that prior to the visa ban, the fee was $100.

At the current exchange rate of N1,555 per dollar in the I & E window, this amounted a visa.

It’s important to note that the N640,000 fee does not guarantee a visa; the issued DVN remains valid for 14 days from issuance or until the visa application is processed by the visa department, whichever comes first.

These guidelines align with the new visa issuance policies implemented by the UAE government.

Many Nigerians have voiced their dissatisfaction with the new visa fee on X social media platform.

NEFERTITI with X handle @firstladyship stated, “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.”
Prince with X handle @Peco3D, state “This is just extortion in fine words. Shameless”
“This is exploitation and shameful if allowed by Nigeria government,” Lucky man with X handle
@Comr_lucky1 stated.

“You think FG constant solicitation was for mere Nigerians? The constant appeal from the Nigerian government to lift travel bans to the UAE appears to primarily benefit wealthy individuals and politicians seeking a haven for their ill-gotten wealth, rather than ordinary Nigerians,” MAYOR @Enokeran2016 with X handle stated.

On Tuesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that the UAE has lifted the visa ban for Nigerians traveling to the country.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, on Monday in Abuja.

“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of Visa for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today July 15, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain Visa to go to the United Arab Emirates.

“I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so,” said Idris.

About two years ago, the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigeria following several diplomatic disputes.

Moreover, Emirates Airline in Dubai suspended flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria failed to remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.

In June, after multiple meetings with the UAE government, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would be lifted soon. During the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 percent of $850 million.

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