Nigerian passport holders intending to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now mandated to first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for a visa, following a recent update in visa issuance procedures.
This new requirement involves paying a non-refundable fee of N640,000 for document verification, as detailed on the Emirate’s official verification website.
The process stipulates that the DVN is crucial for the authentication of all necessary documents before a visa can be issued.
The DVN will remain valid for only 14 days from the date of issuance, highlighting the importance of timely visa application submissions once the DVN is obtained. It is worth noting that this mandate does not apply to individuals below the age of 13, who are exempt from needing a DVN for their visa applications.
To ensure clarity, the verification website outlines the following: “To visit the UAE with a Nigerian passport, it is mandatory to first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for your visa.
In accordance with the new visa issuance guidelines established by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, this regulation ensures that all necessary documents are digitally verified and authenticated prior to visa issuance. Individuals below the age of 13 do not require a DVN for their visa applications.”
Further emphasizing the conditions, the website states, “Your issued document verification number will be valid for 14 days from issuance, or once your visa application has been processed by the visa application department (whichever comes first).
You will be charged a total of ₦640,000 (six hundred forty thousand Nigerian Naira) excluding VAT for each application. Once paid, this fee is non-refundable.”
This announcement follows more than two years of suspended visa issuance to Nigerians due to a prolonged diplomatic dispute between the two nations. The Nigerian government recently announced that an agreement has been reached with the UAE, allowing Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the Arab nation starting July 15, 2024.
This update was revealed by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information, during a briefing with State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Minister Idris stated, “Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders.
This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”
The reinstatement of visa issuance is seen as a significant development in the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE, potentially boosting travel and economic ties between the two countries.
The new verification and visa procedures underscore the UAE’s commitment to ensuring secure and streamlined entry processes while addressing previous concerns that led to the visa suspension.
