UAE Embassy Mum As Uncertainty Trails Visa Fee Hike

Amid the reports of alleging the refutation of the visa hike imposed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, uncertainty seems to trail the vexed issue following the refusal of the UAE embassy to speak on the matter.

Efforts made yesterday to reach the UAE ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, on the issue did not yield any result as he responded by saying “I am not interested.”

LEADERSHIP also tried to reach the spokesman of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Abu Obe to no avail, as he did not pick his calls  and also did not respond to a message sent to his phone.

Nigerians were thrown into a state of confusion  on Tuesday when reports from some national dailies alleged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had imposed stringent restrictions on Nigerians who wish to procure visas to the country, with a hike as high as a nonrefundable N640, 000 fee.

This was coming after the announcement on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris that the UAE has lifted the over two-year visa ban on Nigeria with a momentary sigh of relief. This relief was however, followed by anxiety over the reported visa hike including another $10,000 account balance requirement for prospective travellers to UAE.

According to these claims, Nigerians would need to secure a Document Verification Number (DVN) at a substantial cost of N640, 000, not including the visa fee, and maintain a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000. This is also not a guarantee that the visa will be issued even after the payment.

So many Nigerians took to the social media and reacted in anger, charging the Nigerian government to intervene in the matter with some describing it as “visa ban using another way”. Many expressed their displeasure over what they regard as an ‘affront’ on the country.

However, the UAE on Wednesday reportedly debunked the report of visa ban as lacking authenticity and informed Nigerians through UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism, according to a Nigerian newswire report that the DV hub website, which purportedly listed these requirements, is not affiliated with the UAE government.

The UAE officials explained that “the standard requirements for a UAE tourist visa include a personal photo, a valid passport with at least six months remaining, a travel ticket, and valid medical insurance within the UAE.

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

According to the newswire, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFAD) in Dubai also confirmed that they were unaware of any such bank balance requirements.

Applicants were therefore warned against applying for visa through inauthentic channels but always do so through official channels to avoid misleading information.

The UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigeria about two years ago following a diplomatic spat. The situation quickly degenerated to disagreements in the aviation sector when Dubai’s Emirates Airline stopped flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria allegedly did not remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.

There was also the case of the UAE reducing the flight frequencies of Nigerian Air Peace to UAE and Nigeria also taking a retaliatory action by reducing flight frequencies of Emirate airlines into Nigeria as both countries plunged into an uncertain future in their diplomatic ties.

Before the visa ban, Dubai, a bustling city in the UAE, has been the choice destination for Nigerian tourists, businessmen and property investors.

The development has also triggered the desire for Nigerians to compare visa application fees for other countries that are frequently visited by Nigerians such as the United States of America (US), The United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Canada, and People’s Republic of China among others.

US: According to the official US embassy website in Nigeria, prospective travellers’ visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee, and sometimes referred to as the MRV fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa.

The visa application fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The type of visa for which one applies determines the fee amount.

Current Consular Exchange Rate: 1500 NGN = 1 USD and for a Business/Tourist visa the cost is $185 (277,500.00 NGN000) Non-refundable. There are other types that go for $205 and $315 (N472,500.00) non-refundable

UAE: Before the visa ban Nigerians paid an average of $100(N155, 500) to procure a visa to travel to the UAE, but with the current confusion over alleged hike in visa fee, it is yet to be certain what the real fee could be. Perhaps more clarification is needed from the UAE mission in Nigeria.

UK: Prospective visa applicants from Nigeria who desire to travel to the UK must pay visa fees ranging from an average of 115 Pounds Sterling (N241, 489.15) to 200 Pounds and above  depending on the type of visa.

Canada: The visitor’s visa costs 100 $CAN   (N117, 901.89) per person.  According to the website a super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian residents visit for up to 2 years initially and 6 months afterward. If the person plans to work while visiting, the person must pay for the work permissions fees of 155 $CAN.

Germany: And from the website of the German government visa applicants are required to pay an average of 90 Euros (N158, 804.58) in the current exchange rate in Nigeria.