U.S., UAE visa issuance: Fed Govt begins action on issues of concern

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all relevant federal agencies to address the issues raised by the   United States and the United Arab Emirates in their recent changes to visa issuance policies for Nigerians.

The President specifically asked the agencies to enhance intergovernmental cooperation and fortify systems that authenticate the identities of Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.

The directive was contained in a statement yesterday by Tinubu’s  Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. 

The US State Department announced on  July 8,   the new visa restrictions for Nigerians, reducing most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas to a single-entry with a three-month validity.

The decision marked a major shift from the previous policy, which granted multiple-entry visas with a longer validity of up to five years and greater flexibility for travel.

The change sparked widespread questions among Nigerians on social media and in travel circles.

Onanuga said in the statement that the US  has notified Nigeria that its decision to review visa privileges for Nigerian passport holders was informed by two key concerns: the growing incidence of visa overstays by Nigerians and challenges in obtaining reliable access to applicants’ records.

Washington further explained that the adjustments were a part of its global visa reciprocity framework, which is routinely reviewed and subject to policy reviews, including entry limits and validity periods.

Seven days ago, the   UAE also imposed tougher entry conditions for Nigerian travellers and halted transit visa applications.  

Part of the conditions is that Nigerians aged 18 to 45 will not be eligible for tourist visas unless accompanied.

Those aged 45 and above must present a personal six-month bank statement showing a minimum monthly balance of $10,000 (or its naira equivalent) while applying for a visa.

  Tinubu, in response, instructed all concerned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to work collaboratively and ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations.

“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement read.

On the visa situation involving the United Arab Emirates, the Federal Government revealed that it has yet to receive any formal notification from Abu Dhabi authorities indicating a change in visa policy.

 However, it said that visa issuance was proceeding “in a gradual and orderly manner.”

Despite the absence of official communication, President Tinubu welcomed the constructive engagement of the UAE government, affirming that any genuine concerns being addressed through diplomatic channels were receiving the attention of the  Nigerian authorities.

The statement reaffirmed the government’s “unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening    diplomatic relations” with both countries and assured Nigerians that   foreign policy under the Tinubu administration  was  ensuring that they can “travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world.”

It added that President Tinubu’s stance aligns with his administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda, which prioritises Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora engagement.