UAE mandates Nigerians to now pay non-refundable N640,000 verification fee to obtain visa
Nigerian passport holders planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are now going to be forced to obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN), before even applying for a visa.
Available information on the Emirate’s verification website suggests that Nigerians will have to pay a non-refundable N640,000 ($400) fee for it.
It said that the issued document verification number would be valid for only 14 days from issuance, meaning that if not used 14 days after getting it, you would need to apply for another one, and pay the fee again.
“To visit the UAE with a Nigerian passport, it is mandatory to first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for your visa. In accordance with the new visa issuance guidelines established by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, this regulation ensures that all necessary documents are digitally verified and authenticated prior to visa issuance. Individuals below the age of 13 do not require a DVN for their visa applications.
“Your issued document verification number will be valid for 14 days from issuance, or once your visa application has been processed by the visa application department (whichever of these comes first).
“You will be charged a total of ₦640 000 (six hundred forty thousand Nigerian Naira) excluding VAT for each application. Once paid, this fee is non-refundable,” it said.
The Nigerian government had announced on Monday, July 15, it had reached an agreement with the UAE to allow Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the Arab nation starting July 15, 2024.
The announcement came more than two years after the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians following a protracted diplomatic row.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, had stated this when he briefed State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), meeting.
“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders,” he said.
“This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa.
“The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024,” the Minister added.
