Federal Government Reveals Why Nigerians Under 40 Are Restricted From Entering UAE

The Federal Government has reacted to a viral video circulating on social media showing some stranded Nigerians, who arrived the airport in Dubai, but were denied entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite having valid visas.

Why Nigerians Are Denied Entry Into Dubai

KanyiDaily recalls that a Twitter user, @dunchichi had raised an alarm on social media that they were being detained at the Dubai airport and their passports were seized.

The lady shared a video from the airport which shows Nigerians demanding answers from the Dubai authorities after their passports were seized without explanation.

@dunchichi said her passport was later released through the help of her sister who picked her up from immigration after a “tedious process” but other Nigerians who didn’t have anyone in the country were not released.

On Thursday, former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha Akide confirmed via her Twitter page that Dubai officials are sending Nigerians back to their country even with their valid visas.

The reality star recounted her experience at the Dubai airport, lamenting that Nigerians are being humiliated outside the country and forced to pay extra N31,000 for unknown reasons.

Reacting to the development, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said despite being warned on the new UAE visa rules for certain age categories, some Nigerians tried to “circumvent” the regulations.

Speaking on the development, the federal ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement by Francisca Omayuli, its spokesperson, said Nigerians who were stranded in Dubai were issued family visas, but arrived the UAE without any family member in the country.

The statement read: “The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to a video on the social media, showing purportedly stranded Nigerians, who arrived at the Airport in Dubai, UAE on 29th August, 2022, but were denied entry into the country, despite having valid visas.

“The Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that most of the supposedly stranded Nigerians were issued with family visas, only to arrive Dubai alone without any family member.

“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.”

“It is, therefore, instructive for prospective visa applicants to indicate clearly their visa preferences without any ambiguity and also respect the immigration laws of other countries so as to avoid unwarranted treatments.”

KanyiDaily had also reported that Nigerians living in Dubai are being forced to leave United Arab Emirates (UAE) as their work permits were not renewed by authorities in the oil-rich Middle East country.