EXCLUSIVE: UAE Clarifies Visa Requirements Amid Confusion

(iexclusivenews) – The recent announcement of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lifting its three-year travel ban on Nigerians sparked widespread excitement.

However, this enthusiasm was quickly dampened by new, confusing visa application requirements.

On Monday, Nigerians celebrated the news that the UAE had lifted its travel ban.

This development was seen as a positive step towards resuming travel and business ties between the two nations.

New Visa Application Conditions

The excitement was short-lived when Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, revealed that the resolution included “mutually beneficial” conditions.

One of the primary conditions was the requirement to obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN).

What is the DVN?

The DVN process, as outlined by the DV hub, is a specialized service designed to authenticate and verify documents necessary for UAE visa applications.

This service incurs a non-refundable fee of N640,000, excluding VAT, per application. Importantly, this fee does not cover the actual visa cost.

In addition to the DVN, Nigerians must provide a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of $10,000.

This requirement has been met with skepticism, with some viewing it as a continuation of the travel ban under a different guise.

READ MORE: UAE Denies Lifting Visa Ban for Nigerians Despite Government Claims

UAE’s Official Response

To clarify these conditions, TheCable reached out to the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

The department clarified that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.

For accurate information, inquiries were directed to Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD).

According to the GDRFAD, the visa application process requires a personal photo, a passport with at least six months validity, a travel ticket, and valid medical insurance within the UAE.

The cost of a tourist visa ranges from 200 to 300 dirhams (approximately N60,000 to N90,000), depending on the duration of stay.

The GDRFAD also stated that they are unaware of any requirement for a $10,000 bank balance.

In conclusion, Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assured that further clarification on the DVN would be sought from the ministry’s office in the Middle East. As the situation evolves, it is crucial for Nigerians to rely on official sources for accurate information regarding UAE visa requirements