No formal communication from UAE yet on visa policy review — FG

Recall that the US and UAE governments, last week, issued new visa guidelines to further increase the hurdles faced by Nigerians travelling to the two countries.

However, President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians could travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said any genuine concerns raised by Nigerians were being addressed through the appropriate channels, in the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.

The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.

“The recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the federal government.

“Relevant ministries, departments and agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels.

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“The United States government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records.

“It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.