Travel from Nigeria to Dubai is expected to witness a sharp decline following the introduction of new visa restrictions targeting Nigerian nationals, according to travel agents.
Under the new policy, which affects applications for the Tourist Visa Category, individuals aged between 18 and 45 years traveling alone are now ineligible to apply.
This age group constitutes a significant portion of Nigeria’s traveling population, especially for tourism and business purposes.
Furthermore, the policy stipulates that applicants aged 45 and above must provide a six-month personal bank statement with a minimum monthly ending balance of $10,000 or its naira equivalent. The statement must be issued in the applicant’s name only, with no joint or corporate accounts accepted.
“This is going to drastically reduce the number of Nigerian travelers to Dubai,” one travel agent told ConfirmNews. “Most of our clients are young professionals or small business owners who travel alone and may not meet the financial threshold now required.”
Dubai has long been a top destination for Nigerians due to its vibrant tourism industry, business opportunities, and ease of access. However, analysts say the new rules may have a chilling effect, especially on solo travelers and younger applicants.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have not issued an official statement on the rationale behind the new visa policy, but some believe it is linked to ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls and address alleged visa abuses.
Travel stakeholders have called on the Nigerian government to engage with UAE authorities to seek a review of the policy, which they say is discriminatory and economically harmful.
