No More UAE Tourist Visas for People Under 40 - FG

The Federal Government has reacted to a viral video depicting stranded Nigerians at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the video, the Nigerians were denied entry into the UAE despite having valid visas.

According to a statement signed by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, the stranded Nigerians did not have the proper visas.

"The Nigerian Mission in Dubai has clarified that most of the allegedly stranded Nigerians were issued family visas, only to arrive in Dubai alone, without any family member," according to the statement.

"As a result, they were denied entry and advised to return to their home country and apply for the necessary visas," Omayuli explained.

"However, those allowed into the country have family members in the UAE, whereas those who claimed their family members were on another flight were told to wait at the airport until they arrived," he continued.

"The general public is invited to take note of and be guided by the fact that the UAE government has implemented a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to people under the age of 40, except for those applying for family visas," he added.

"It is therefore instructive for prospective visa applicants to clearly indicate their visa preferences without any ambiguity, as well as respect the immigration laws of other countries in order to avoid unwarranted treatment,' he concluded.