UAE Visa Restrictions: Nigeria, UAE Feeling The Severe Pains

The visa restrictions imposed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is biting hard on Nigeria and the Asian country. Emmanuel Olisemeke writes.

The visa restriction placed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government in 2023 is hurting Nigeria and the Asian country.

While some categories of willing Nigerians may no longer have access to visit any of the seven emirates, including Dubai and Sharjah due to the restrictions and Air Peace, the sole Nigerian carrier flying the UAE route has ceased direct operations to the Asian country.

Also, Emirates Airlines, the flag carrier of UAE, which operates Boeing 777 aircraft brand to Nigeria, is flying between the two countries almost empty with its passenger dropping by 40 to 50 per cent, despite dropping its frequencies to Nigeria by about 67 per cent.

Emirates Airlines prior to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, was operating three frequencies daily to two points in Nigeria – two daily flights to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and one daily flight to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, but now operates just once daily into Nigeria.

In the last four years, the airline had suspended flight services to Nigeria at least twice – first because of the blocked funds, which amounted to $812 million, while the other that was for two years, was due to diplomatic row between the UAE government and the Nigerian government.

Also, within the same 2020 period, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, was operating daily flight to the Lagos airport, but suspended operations into the country in 2020 due to alleged losses on the Nigerian routes.

New Visa Policy By UAE Government

Searches by Transportation Agenda shows new visa requirements for Nigerian citizens travelling to the UAE to include; age restriction (only 40 years and above can travel to the UAE), minimum of $10,000 account balance (or its equivalent in naira), work permit visa of two years only, increased visa fee, confirmed onward ticket, hotel booking and 48-hour visa, which is only valid for 48 hours.

Other restrictions are 96-hour visa issuance, sponsorship letter from a qualified sponsor with minimum salary requirements ranging from AED 4,000 to AED 10,000, depending on the relationship between the sponsor and applicant, while the processing time is also delayed unlike in the past when it could be processed within 48 hours.

While the passenger traffic has dropped in the economy cabin of Emirates Airlines, the first class and business cabins of the airline are retained as passengers loyal to its services its topnotch inflight services and cabins have remained with the carrier.

Experts Analysis

Some of the travel experts spoken to by Transportation Agenda, told our correspondent that Nigerian tourists to Dubai have dropped significantly in the last seven months of the recommencement of daily operations to Nigeria by Emirates Airline.

They also said that while traffic may have reduced on the UAE route, destinations to other countries especially on the African continent have increased.

They mentioned Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda and Ethiopia, among others as some of the destinations on the continent with increased tourists.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Gbemi Akinboro, the Managing Director, Scribes Global Services, expressed that the passenger traffic had dropped on the Lagos-Dubai route, while transiting passengers also preferred the various other options due to the long layover in Dubai.

Akinboro estimated the traffic drop to be between 40 to 45 per cent, maintaining that only the first and business classes are still retained.

Akinboro emphasised that in order to attract more Nigerian travellers to its flights, Emirates Airlines currently has one of the cheapest airfares out of Nigeria on the international routes with less than $1,000.

He pointed out that the Lagos-Dubai route was one of the most lucrative and attractive out of Nigeria in the past, but the frequent suspensions and tough visa regime, had changed the narrative for travellers from Nigeria.

Besides, he explained that the drop in the value of naira against major currencies, especially dollars, was a contributory factor to the low load factor.

He added: “Emirates Airlines no longer have high passenger traffic from Nigeria, but other nationals especially from Europe and America still go to the country for tourism. The airline is back, but we don’t really feel its presence in Nigeria unlike in the past.

“The total layover time is another major constraint. Lagos-Dubai is about six to seven hours, while the layover in Dubai is another four to five hours before you resume flight to London. Also, Dubai-London is another four hours by air. So, with the various options available to travellers, most no longer go to Dubai. Some African countries have opened up their destinations for tourism. Whatever you are looking for in Dubai, you can also get in Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda and even Ethiopia. It’s just for you to brand your products very well and tourists will adopt it.

“However, Emirates has one of the most beautiful cabins. The economy class has adequate legroom, the first and business classes are one of the best in the world. It’s as if you are in your bedroom. They have a ready-made market in the first and business class cabins who are loyal to their services. We have billionaires in Nigeria who are willing to spend any amount of money for their comfort. I think those are their primary market now.”

Besides, Mr. Bankole Bernard, the Group Managing Director (GMD), Finchglow Holdings Ltd, also confirmed that the visa restrictions placed on Nigerians had reduced travellers from the country to the UAE.

According to him, the passenger traffic had dropped to between 45 to 50 per cent on the route as some Nigerians who could not meet the stringent visa requirements had opted for other destinations, especially within Africa.

Bernard, however, said that the Asian carrier still retained its first and business class passengers, saying that the UAE government had changed its focus from quantity to quality air travellers to the UAE.

He said: “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is a serious one because they consider the business of the government as a good business. So, restricting Nigerians from coming into their country, is more of a restriction that is placed on those that cannot afford it, but Nigerians are still going to Dubai. Those that have the money, they go to the UAE and they still do what they have to do.

“So, that has reduced the number of passengers going to Dubai by about 45 to 50 per cent, but as you know, in airline business, once you have your business class filled up, you have covered the cost. So, the UAE government is looking beyond the number of people that come in. The government is looking at the quality of people that come in to spend the money. They don’t need the crowd anymore; they are concerned about the quality.

“The UAE government started by first allowing everyone to come in, but now, they are more about the quality of people coming to Dubai and there is nothing absolutely wrong with that. They don’t want anybody to act as a burden on them. Those are the measures they put in place. They are not looking for poor people, but quality people. The economy class has reduced significantly, but the business and first classes are constantly filled up. Yet, they are operating and they are not complaining.”

But, Mr. Yinka Folami, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), said he was unaware of a drop in passenger traffic on the Lagos-Dubai route in the last six months.

However, Folami said its passenger traffic was yet to reach the pre-Covid-19 pandemic era.

The NANTA boss also said that more Nigerians are going for the 96hrs, which allows applicants to spend a maximum of three nights and four days in the UAE.

He said that the 96hrs visa is with reduced stringent measures.

He said: “I am not aware of any statistics that indicated that passenger traffic has dropped on the Dubai route in the last six months. I don’t also know what the statistics per class is, but I know that more and more Nigerians are going for the 96hrs visa. The visa requirements have been reviewed to the point that you can request for a 96-hour visa without those difficult requirements.

“The traffic to UAE now, compared to three years ago before that ban, is not the same. Even the frequencies of Emirates have reduced. Emirates had higher frequencies before to Lagos and Abuja, but today, it has reduced. So, you can’t compare the traffic when you had those frequencies then and now.”

Government Appeal

The Nigerian government had recently urged the UAE government to relax its strict visa policies on the citizens of the country travelling to UAE in a bid to enhance travel and boost economic ties.

Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, made the appeal in Dubai, during a high-level meeting with, UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025.

He said easing the strict conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes, thereby benefiting both nations’ economies and straightening Emirates Airlines operations in Nigeria.

Keyamo at the symposium, emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, with a focus on expanding codeshare agreements and interlining opportunities for Nigerian airlines.

Quotes:  I don’t also know what the statistics per class is, but I know that more and more Nigerians are going for the 96hrs visa. The visa requirements have been reviewed to the point that you can request for a 96-hour visa without those difficult requirements.”