UAE Clarifies Visa Application Requirements, Refutes Reports of $10,000 Bank Balance, N640,000 Fee

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has refuted claims that it has imposed additional conditions on Nigerian visa applicants, including the requirement for a document verification number (DVN) and a minimum bank balance of $10,000.

TheCable exclusively contacted the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism, which stated that the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.

The department also clarified that the process of obtaining a DVN is a specialized service designed to authenticate and verify documentation essential for visa applications to the UAE, at a cost of N640,000 excluding VAT per application.

When asked about the requirement for a minimum bank balance of $10,000, the UAE’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs (GDRFAD) told TheCable that they are not aware of such a requirement.

On the standard requirements, the GDRFAD explained;

“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.”

TheCable also reached out to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which promised to seek clarification on the DVN requirement from its office in the Middle East.

This development comes after Nigerians were initially thrilled to hear that the UAE had lifted its three-year travel ban, only to discover that the resolution came with conditions that some have described as a “constructive ban.”

SOURCE: The Cable