The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has refuted claims that it requires a $10,000 bank balance and a N640,000 visa application fee from Nigerian applicants.
The UAE has clarified that Nigeria is subject to the standard visa application procedures without any extraordinary financial prerequisites.
On Monday, News About Nigeria reported that Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the lifting of the three-year travel ban on Nigerians by the UAE.
While the news was met with optimism due to a similar announcement in September 2023 that did not materialise, the latest update indicates that Nigerian passport holders can now apply for visas to the UAE starting July 15, 2024.
However, the rumoured high costs associated with the visa application process have raised concerns among Nigerians, who view this as an indirect restriction by the UAE, making it financially challenging for Nigerians to travel there.
According to some reports, Nigerians must obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for a UAE visa.
Additionally, the UAE’s Document Verification Hub allegedly requires a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000.
The process purportedly costs N640,000 (excluding VAT) per application, with fees being non-refundable.
Contrary to these claims, a recent report by The Cable revealed that the DV Hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.
When questioned about the supposed financial requirements for document verification, the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism directed inquiries to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
The GDRFA clarified the actual visa requirements: “You will need a personal photo and a copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months. A tourist visa costs about 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000) depending on the duration of stay. Additionally, you will need a travel ticket and valid medical insurance within the UAE.”
Regarding the alleged $10,000 bank balance requirement, the directorate stated, “We are not aware of such requirements. Visa applications should be made through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The Cable that the ministry would seek clarification on the DVN requirements from their office in the Middle East and provide accurate information to the public.
