UAE Excludes Nigeria from Countries to Benefit in Visa-on-Arrival Policy

Michael Olugbode

Nigeria has been excluded from a list of countries, whose citizens were deemed eligible to apply for visa-on-arrival by the United Arab Emirates.

According to reports, the Etihad Airways has released a list of countries, whose travellers landing at Abu Dhabi airport could receive visas from its immigration desks and Nigeria was missing.

The list of about 70 countries, whose citizens were eligible for visa-on-arrival at the UAE included Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Germany.

Also on the list were Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China and Peru.

Others were Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of El Salvador, Portugal, Romania, Russian, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Vatican, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.

The report also showed that visitors, who had been in Nigeria or South Africa in the preceding 14 days before travel would not be allowed to enter the UAE.

Nigeria has for some months now being on the spot at different times with the UAE, whichonce banned travelling from the country.

In June, the UAE suspended flights to and from Lagos and Abuja. Emirati authorities also prohibited their nationals from visiting Nigeria and some other countries as the country controled exposure to COVID-19.

Both nations since late last year have been embroiled in diplomatic spat over fraudulent activities by Nigerian nationals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which has resulted in several flight restrictions, visa bans, and the exclusion of Nigerians from visiting Dubai.