N640K SCANDAL: UAE denies stipulating fee, affiliation with Information Minister’s linked DV Hub website
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said Nigeria has not been exempted from the normal visa application process.
Recall that on Monday, July 15, Nigerians were thrilled to read that the three-year travel ban from the from the Middle Eastern country had been lifted, but this thrill was short-lived, because Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the resolution had conditions that were “mutually beneficial”.
However, part of the conditions include obtaining a document verification number (DVN), which, according to the Document Verification Hub (DV Hub), is a specialized service designed to authenticate and verify documentation essential for visa applications to the UAE.
The DVN is also said to include 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.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism stated that the DV hub website (https://documentverificationhub.ae) – which is still live at the time of filing this report – is not affiliated with the UAE Government.
Asked if Nigerians are required to make payments for documents’ verification, the Department cited 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:
“We are not aware of such requirements. Make your visa applications through the GDRFAD.”
Eche Abu-Obe, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that clarification on the DVN would be sought and provided from the ministry’s office in the Middle East.
