Nigeria missing as UAE approves 70 countries for visa-on-arrival

Nigeria has been excluded from a list of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for visa-on-arrival in the UAE.

Etihad Airways released a list of countries whose travellers landing at Abu Dhabi airport can receive visas from its immigration desks.

Countries such as the U.S., China, Maldives, France, and Russia top the list. African countries like Seychelles and Mauritius are included, but Nigeria is excluded. Also, visitors who had been in Nigeria or South Africa in the preceding 14 days before travel will not be allowed to enter the UAE.

The list came after the UAE entered into a visa-free agreement with Ghana.

On August 5, Ghana adopted a memorandum of understanding with the UAE where both countries agreed to a mutual exemption of entry visa requirements regarding diplomatic, service/special, and ordinary passport holders, whose background and conduct follow public and state security apparatus.

In June, the UAE had suspended flights to and from Lagos and Abuja. Emirati authorities also prohibited their nationals from visiting Nigeria and some other countries as the country controls exposure to COVID-19.

Since late last year, Nigeria and the UAE have been in a diplomatic spat over fraudulent activity in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This has resulted in several flight restrictions, visa bans, and the exclusion of Nigerians from visiting Dubai.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, the value of the Nigerian passport has dropped. Analysis by Henley and Partners revealed that Nigeria’s passport ranks 101 out of 199 countries, allowing its passport holders to just 46 countries visa-free.

Travellers from the following countries will receive a visa on arrival in Abu Dhabi:

• Andorra

• Argentina

• Australia

• Austria

• Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belgium

• Brazil

• Brunei

• Bulgaria

• Canada

• Chile

• Colombia

• Costa Rica

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Honduras

• Hong Kong (SAR of China)

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Italy

• Japan

• Kazakhstan