In a development that further limits travel options for Nigerian passport holders, both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US) have given new visa restriction policies targeting citizens of the West African nation.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has again amended its visa rules for Nigerians, marking the second time in 10 months, further tightening entry requirements into the Middle Eastern country.
This latest restriction by the UAE, communicated to travel agencies on Tuesday, prohibits Nigerian applicants aged between 18 and 46 who are travelling alone from obtaining tourist visas.
The new rule also mandates that applicants aged 45 and above must submit a personal Nigerian bank statement covering the past six months, with a minimum end-of-month balance of $10,000 or its naira equivalent.
The UAE said that Nigerian applicants within the age of 18 to 46 years travelling alone are not eligible for tourism visa category, while an applicant who is 45 years and above must provide a single Nigerian personal bank statement for a period of six months, with each month’s end balance reflecting a minimum ending balance of $10,000 or its naira equivalent.
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Similarly, the United States government has moved to halt the issuance of multiple-entry visas to specific categories of Nigerian travelers, citing “reciprocity” as the reason behind the decision.
Effective from July 8, 2025, the US will now limit most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians to a single entry with a three-month validity.
However, existing non-immigrant US visas granted before July 8, 2025, will remain valid under their current terms and conditions.
The US Embassy in Nigeria, in a statement, clarified that, “Visa reciprocity is an ongoing process subject to review and change,” noting that the new policy is aimed at “ensuring secure travel documentation, managing visa overstays, and enhancing security cooperation.”
