How to get a Dubai visa in Nigeria
Dubai is a beautiful city and one of the most visited destinations in the world. This is not surprising because the city has some of the most exciting amusements and luxurious establishments in the whole world. If you are looking to spend your next holiday in the Arabian city of lights that is Dubai, or you are simply visiting a friend or shopping for some clothes, this post would tell you how to go about getting a Dubai visa.
Types of Dubai visa you can apply for
You can apply for different kinds of Dubai visas, depending on what you are visiting the city for. Among the various visas you can apply for, these are the most popular:
Tourist Visa: this visa is usually valid for 30 days, though it can be extended at extra cost after a proper application. This Dubai visa costs $82.
Visit Visa: this visa is for visitors who are interested in staying in Dubai for an extended period. It is usually valid for up to 90 days and it is the favoured visa for tourists visiting their family members.
96-hour visa: this Dubai visa usually costs $69 and is available for only 4 days. It is preferred for individuals visiting Dubai for only a short period.
Requirements for getting a Dubai visa from Nigeria
These are the different documents which you would be asked to present with your application, before you can be granted a visa to Dubai.
- Valid Nigerian International passport. If you do not have Nigerian passport valid up to 6 months after your date of application, you would not be granted a visa to Dubai
- Copies of the first page and last two pages of your International passport
- Fully colored passport photographs set to 4.3cm x 5.5cm dimensions in a white background
- Copy of confirmed itinerary. You should have photocopies of your confirmed round trip tickets, hotel booking or reservation, itinerary of the trip etc. Without a return ticket, you may be repatriated at the airport upon arrival.
- Proof of health insurance
- A copy of your bank statement as a proof of your financial status and ability to provide for yourself during the trip
- Copy of invitation letter if you are visiting relatives
- Letter from your employer – if you are touring, that states that you are on leave and you would be returning to work at a particular time
Check for your eligibility
After you have confirmed that you have the necessary documents required, you should then visit Dubaivisa.net to check if you meet the criteria for Nigerian visitors. Failure to meet these criteria which include fields for Travel Records, financial records etc. would result in denial of your visa.
Download Visa application form
The visa application form can easily be downloaded from the dubaivisa.net site for Nigerian visitors. Fill the form completely as failing to fill any field can lead to your application being disqualified. Ensure you attach your passport to the spaces provided.
Submit your application form
After completing your form, you should submit it at the Dubai Visa Application Centre, Block 94, Plot 93, Providence street, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Once you have completed your forms properly and submitted, all you need to is wait to be notified to come collect your visa. Ensure you have paid your Dubai visa fee too.
NB: in February, 2015 there was an announcement in many online news media that Dubai would no longer be accepting visa applications from unmarried Nigerians who are below the age of 40. However, many travel agencies are still processing visas for Nigerians within that age bracket and marital status through state owned Destination Management Companies (DMCs).