The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the lifting of travel visa restrictions on Nigerians, following a diplomatic row between the two countries. The decision, which was confirmed by the UAE Embassy in Abuja and the Nigerian government, is seen as a significant step towards strengthening ties and fostering economic and social collaboration.
As part of the agreement, a new verification process has been introduced for Nigerian visa applications. Applicants are now required to obtain a Document Verification Number, which can be done through the dedicated online Document Verification Hub platform. The UAE Embassy emphasized that this step is essential to enhance the integrity of the application process and ensure prompt processing for applicants at https://documentverficationhub.com
The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleem Saeed Al-Shamsi, encouraged all prospective travelers to adhere to the guidelines and initiate their applications promptly to facilitate a smooth transition to the new system.
The diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE stemmed from a dispute over trapped funds amounting to $85 million, which led to the suspension of Emirates Airlines’ flight operations to Nigeria in 2022. Despite efforts by the Nigerian government to resolve the issue, including the release of $265 million to airlines operating in the country, Emirates Airlines has yet to resume operations in Nigeria.
The UAE Embassy’s announcement of ongoing efforts for stronger ties with Nigeria suggests a willingness to move past the diplomatic dispute. While it remains unclear if the potential resumption of Emirates Airlines’ operations was part of the discussions, the lifting of travel visa restrictions marks a positive development in the relationship between the two countries
