The Federal Government has called on the general public to take note and be guided that the Government of the United Arab Emirates has introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas.
A statement by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explains that the attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to a video on the social media, showing purportedly stranded Nigerians, who arrived the Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but were denied entry into the country, despite having valid visas.
It says the Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that most of the supposedly stranded Nigerians were issued with family visas, only to arrive Dubai alone without any family member and they were consequently denied entry and advised to return to their country and apply for the appropriate visas.
The statement explains that those that were allowed entry into the country have their family members in the UAE. While those who claimed their family members were on another flight, were told to wait at the airport, pending their arrival.
The Federal Government, therefore, calls on prospective visa applicants to indicate clearly their visa preferences without any ambiguity and also respect the immigration laws of other countries to avoid unwarranted treatment.
RN