The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it has not set a minimum account balance of $10,000 and non-refundable payment of N640,000 as data verification fee as visa requirements for Nigerians.
The Arab country also said it had not exempted Nigerians from the customary visa application process.
The federal government recently announced that the UAE had lifted a three-year travel ban against Nigerians with conditions, one of which is obtaining a document verification number (DVN).
According to the DV hub, the process is a specialised service designed to authenticate and verify documentation essential for visa applications to the UAE.
The DVN costs a non-refundable N640,000 excluding VAT for each application. This does not include the visa fee.
In addition to obtaining a UAE visa, Nigerians are required to provide proof of a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.
While some citizens described the conditions as an upheld ‘constructive ban’, others expressed doubt about the authenticity of the DVN.
TheCable in a report, said the UAE’s department of economy and tourism confirmed to it that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.
Asked if Nigerians are required to make payments for documents’ verification, TheCable was referred to Dubai’s general directorate of residency and foreigners’ affairs (GDRFAD).
“You will need a personal photo and a copy of your passport which must not have less than six months validity,” the GDRFAD said, while explaining the process for a visa application.
A tourist visa costs about 200-300 dirhams (N60,000 – 90,000) depending on the stay.
“You will also need a travel ticket and valid medical insurance within the UAE,” the GDRFAD added.
Asked about the need to have a bank balance of $10,000, the directorate said: “We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs, told TheCable that clarification on the DVN would be sought and provided from the ministry’s office in the Middle East.