Travel agencies in the country have laid to rest the
controversy generated over the purported visa restriction imposed on foreigners
below the age of forty, which has led to a scare among intending visitors.
ADEOLA OREDOLA, who spoke with some of the prominent travel agencies in this
report, writes
The information that the United Arab
Emirates- UAE, has banned single and unmarried Nigerians who are less than
forty years old from visiting the country may have prompted some intending
travelers to Dubai, who fall within the age range, to cancel their trip to that
country due to the new travels restriction. The rule as confirmed by travel
agents says that the individual will be denied visa, except the person is
accompanied by someone who is above forty and bears the same surname with the
individual.
While confirming the authenticity of
the purported restriction, travel agencies in the business of arranging visa
for travelers to Dubai have defended the new restriction. According to them,
the visa rules is not limited to Nigerian travelers alone as other Africa
countries including Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia are also
affected.
Mr. Chike Nwogu, Manager, Bespoke
Vacations, who confirmed the new rule, said that UAE visa application is not as
strict as it is being circulated. He added that all issues relating to visa
application must be sponsored by an accredited Dubai Destination Management
Company (DMC), saying that most travel agencies in Nigeria often apply for
visas through various DMCs while some offer seamless services that may not
necessarily requires strict rules.
According to him, until last week,
his company had arranged visas for applicants within the age range. He said
that, the restriction does not affect all the agencies as it depends on the
agreement between the agency, hotels and DMCs in Dubai.
He noted that “This new policy
does not apply to us, because we usually apply for visas through a state owned
DMC. Contrary to the purported information, our company will continue to get
visas for intending Nigerian passport holders irrespective of their age until
we are directed to do otherwise.”
In his reaction, Mr. Edwin Omobude,
who is a spokesperson for Netcross Travels, an accredited agency, confirmed
that the purported restriction order by the United Arab Emirate government is
real. He said “we are yet to get official notice from our partner in Dubai, but
based on the information from sister agencies in country, some applications
have been turned down, as a result of the age of the applicants. According to
him, the new visa rule has been upgraded from twenty above to forty years due
to the conduct of some of the affected persons whenever they are given access
to Dubai.
He confirmed that the new sanction
has affected the travels agencies in the country because majority of the
intending travelers have been forced to cancel their business and leisure trips
to Dubai, since they could not meet all requirements. According to him,
travelers need proper travel guides as the restriction order is not as strict
as it is being construed. He said “Dubai visa is easy if all the basic travels
guidelines are being complied with. We have continued to offer travels advice to
some of our clients in order to calm the fear.
Reacting on the development, the
Chief Executive Officer, Go-Places Travels & Tours Ltd, Chief Festus
Ogbugbe, confirmed the travel rule. According to him the order only affects
applicants applying for only two weeks, as it is not binding on the
monthly visa. He further stated that the new development has not really
impacted much on its operations.
According to the information from,
UAE government through the Ministry of Interior, crime rate has fallen by eighteen
per cent due to strict and effective security measures put in place by the
security operatives. It said that due to the recent review of some of the rule,
UAE recorded about twenty per cent decrease in bounced cheque cases in 2014
compared with 2013. Other crimes attributed to foreigners by the country
includes, Automated Teller’s Machine scam, robbery, smuggling, prostitution and
drinking while driving, taking of pictures of strangers, sunbathing in skimpy
clothing amongst other related crimes.
In its advice to tourists, the
government said that visitors are warned to avoid improper conduct or
inappropriate behaviour that could lead to fines, imprisonment and deportation.
It also said that the culture and laws in the country are designed in such a manner
to safeguard personal freedom on the one hand and to ensure that everyone
including tourists respect each other regardless of their faith and
nationality.
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