The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied any affiliation with a ”fraudulent” website shared by the Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, purportedly for the verification of visa applications by Nigerians.
On Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting led by President Bola Tinubu announced that the Nigerian government and UAE authorities have agreed to remove travel restrictions between both countries.
According to him, Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE without any issues. He added that for more details on the updated visa conditions, Nigerians intending to visit Dubai should visit this Website to obtain a document verification number (DVN).
According to the DV hub, the process is a specialized service designed to authenticate and verify documentation essential for visa applications to the UAE. The DVN costs a non-refundable N640,000 excluding VAT for each application. This does not include the visa fee.
In addition to obtaining a UAE visa, Nigerians are required to provide proof of a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.
UAE DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF ‘CONDITIONS’
According to a report by The Cable, the news website contacted the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism to confirm if obtaining a DVN was part of the resolutions reached. The department said the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.
When asked if Nigerians are required to make payments for documents’ verification, TheCable was referred to Dubai’s general directorate of residency and foreigners’ affairs (GDRFAD).
“You will need a personal photo and a copy of your passport which must not have less than six months validity,” the GDRFAD said, while explaining the process for a visa application.
A tourist visa costs about 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000) depending on the stay. “You will also need a travel ticket and valid medical insurance within the UAE,” the GDRFAD added.
When asked about the need to have a bank balance of $10,000, the directorate said:
“We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told TheCable that clarification on the DVN would be sought and provided from the ministry’s office in the Middle East.
This is the second time, the Nigerian Government has lied to its citizens about the UAE lifting the visa Ban placed on Nigeria.
Recall that in September 2023, Ajuri Ngelale issued a statement saying both countries reached an agreement to lift the ban after President Tinubu met with the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 11, September, 2023.
Shortly after the news went viral on social media, the UAE Government via their website debunked the information saying both country leaders explored opportunities for bilateral collaboration and didn’t make any arrangements for the removal of visa restriction.
The United Arab Emirates imposed the visa ban on Nigeria about two years ago due to diplomatic disputes.
Emirates Airlines also stopped flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t transfer about $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
In June, after several meetings, the Nigerian government assured that the visa ban would soon be lifted. The government also announced that it had paid 98 percent of $85 million owed.
