The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released stiffer visa regulations for Nigerians. The new regulations, which followed a public disturbance allegedly instigated by some Nigerians, have raised concerns among Nigerian travellers while creating uneasy calm in the travel industry. This report sheds light on the new visa regime and its implications for Nigerians.
When a video emerged last week of some Africans causing a public disturbance in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it was clear the government of the Middle Eastern country would react appropriately in a bid to protect the country and its citizens from any form of harm.
The video showed youths fighting in a Dubai community and destroying public property. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the hoodlums killed a Dubai Police officer.
The Nigerian Community in Dubai, under the umbrella of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), United Arab Emirates (UAE) chapter, swiftly condemned the development while particularly commending the swift intervention of the Dubai Police, who arrested about seven of the hoodlums.
After arresting them, the police said a criminal case has been registered against the suspects, and they will be referred to the public prosecution for further action.
The Dubai Police warned against such unacceptable behaviour and urged the community members to report such behaviour through ‘Police Eye Service’ on the Dubai Police app or by calling the emergency hotline 999. The Force also warned the public against publishing or forwarding clips to avoid legal accountability, as per Article 52 of the UAE Federal Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes.
The law stated that whoever uses the information network to announce, disseminate, re-disseminate, circulate, or recirculate news or data, or broadcasts any provocative news that would incite or provoke public opinion, disturb the public peace, spread terror among people, or cause harm to the public interest, the national economy, the public order, or the public health shall be punished with at least one year of imprisonment and a fine of not less than Dh100,000.
For the Nigerian community in Dubai, that singular incident was a harbinger of what was to come in the days ahead. The incident sent jitters down the spine of Nigerian immigrants in the Arab country, and this was coming at a time when Nigerians have issues securing jobs in the country.
In a statement, the NIDO UAE Group clarified that the illicit act does not represent the country’s values, while commending the Dubai authorities for swiftly bringing the matter under control.
“We the Nigerians In Diaspora Organization (NIDO) United Arab Emirates group which represents the interest of law-abiding Nigerians in the UAE wish to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to the Dubai Police for their swift action in clamping down on the perpetrators of the disturbing video in the last 96 hours.
“We commend the Authority, and we wish to state categorically that such illicit acts do not in any way define or represent us. We are good ambassadors and law-abiding citizens; therefore, we distance ourselves from those miscreants. We assure the security agencies of our full support and cooperation if the need arises.”
Not satisfied with the clarification of the Nigerian community and as a further belt-tightening measure to screen those coming into the country, Dubai has updated its visa requirements by including three new conditions.
The Nigerian community initially denied a rumour about the suspension of visa applications for Nigerians. It was noted that the visa was showing as pending on the visa status portal, indicating that it had neither been approved nor rejected.
However, the Dubai authorities’ new visa requirements for applicants confirmed the Nigerian community’s fear.
As seen on the updated visa portal, three new Nigerian requirements are mandatory for all visa applicants to provide.
These requirements must be scanned and uploaded to the visa portal as provided, enabling the applicant to complete and submit the visa application online.
The three updated requirements are a hotel reservation/place of stay in the UAE, a six-month bank statement and a return flight ticket. While the UAE did not state any reason for the new requirement, it is believed the decision was taken to control the influx of individuals with criminal intent into the country.
The Daily Trust reported on Sunday that the development is already causing unease in the travel industry, as many travellers scramble to meet the new requirements. This may ultimately reduce visitors to the country for those who are unable to meet the new requirements.
The new requirements have been met with mixed feelings from stakeholders, with the majority saying the development serves as a lesson to Nigerians to abide by the laws of their host countries.
Our correspondent reports that Dubai is one of Nigeria’s most frequently visited countries for business and tourism. Approximately 200,000 Nigerians visit the country annually, either for business or tourism purposes.
Previously, many Nigerians enjoyed the privilege of travelling to Dubai with very relaxed requirements until some Nigerians began to abuse the near-free entry status granted to them, according to analysts.
This, they noted, would further hurt some Nigerians with legitimate reasons for going to Dubai. Among those affected are Nigerians seeking employment in the Arab country.
“This development is good and also will prevent some fraudulent people from coming in. But the point now is, that they should allow us that have a visa inside the countryto work before it expires, please, so that we can pay our taxes and live peacefully. Please beg on our behalf,” said a Nigerian in search of jobs in Dubai.
