Sequel to the viral video on August 29 of some Nigerians stranded at the Dubai airport, the Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that the persons denied entry had inappropriate visas.
A statement signed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, stated that the stranded persons applied for and were issued family visas but arrived in Dubai alone.
The statement, titled ‘Nigerians Intending to Travel to the United Arab Emirates Advised to be Guided by New Visa Regime,’ read in part, “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.
“Consequently, they were denied entry and advised to return to their country and apply for the appropriate visas.
“However, those persons allowed entry into the country have their family members in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) while those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport, pending their arrival.”
The spokesperson explained that the UAE had stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under age 40 except those applying for family visas.
Omayuli advised prospective visa applicants to indicate their visa preferences and to respect the immigration laws of other countries.