The Govt of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently announced a visa ban on as many as 21 African countries including Nigeria and Uganda effective October 18, 2022.
The Immigration Authorities of UAE in a Notice said, “This is to inform you that we will not be posting 30 days visa applications for these nationalities effective today October 18, 2022.”
Other African countries affected by the UAE’s visa ban include.
- Ghana
- Sierra Leone
- Sudan
- Cameroon
- Nigeria
- Liberia
- Burundi
- Republic of Guinea
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Senegal
- Benin
- Ivory Coast
- Congo
- Rwanda
- Burkina Faso
- Guinea Bissau
- Comoros
- Dominican Republic
- Uganda
Authorities stated in a notice sent to trade partners, including travel agents, that all applications from these countries should be rejected.
“Any applications from the above-mentioned countries will be sent back or cancelled.”
Although no reason was given for the decision, sources said it was made to keep African nationals who had taken advantage of visit visas to overstay in the UAE away.
It should be noted that many people, particularly Africans seeking to work in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, have previously used 30-day visit visas as a scapegoat to stay in the country.
It is said that after applying for and receiving a visit visa, one flies to the country as a visitor but spends the time looking for work.
It has also been reported that many visitors on visit visas end up overstaying their visas and working illegally in the sand dunes country.
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