The Special Adviser to president Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday debunked news making the rounds that the United Arab Emirate has lifted visa ban on Nigerians.
Onanuga made this known on his X handle.
He wrote, “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian government or the UAE.”
A document making the rounds on Tuesday indicate that United Arab Emirates, has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country.
In a joint announcement by the governments of Nigeria and the UAE entitled, ‘Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE’, said the visa ban was lifted on March 4, 2024.
The statement said the commencement of visa issuance was a “milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations and underscoring, “Our shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations.”
It said, “The Government of Nigeria and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, represented by the UAE Embassy in Abuja, are delighted to announce a pivotal development in our diplomatic relations: the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the UAE, commencing on 4th March, 2024.
“This milestone reflects the successful outcome of in-depth talks between our nations, underscoring our shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges, and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaboration.
“This achievement follows the discussions between His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant step forward in our bilateral cooperation.”
According to the statement, to ensure a seamless and efficient visa application experience, “the UAE has introduced an enhanced document verification process”.
It said, “Starting 4th March 2024, all Nigerian applicants for UAE visas are required to first obtain a Document Verification Number. This essential step is to be completed by visiting the dedicated online Document Verification Hub platform (official link: https://documentverificationhub.com).
“The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleem Saeed Al-Shamsi, highlighted the importance of this updated procedure: ‘We are committed to facilitating straightforward and expedited visa applications for Nigerians. The introduction of the Document Verification Number is designed to enhance the integrity of our application process and ensure prompt processing for all applicants.’
“After obtaining the Document Verification Number, applicants can proceed with their visa applications through designated travel agents, after which the process will be completed at the Embassy of the UAE in Abuja or Lagos. We encourage all prospective travelers to adhere to the guidelines and initiate their applications promptly, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
“This announcement signifies our ongoing efforts to enhance the strong ties between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, contributing to the prosperity and well-being of our people.”
