The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that it would begin the issuance of visas to Nigerians from Thursday, October 8, 2020, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced on Wednesday.

Sirika had announced on September 30 that the UAE had written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, a development that made the Federal Government lift the ban it had earlier placed on Emirates Airlines.

“UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria,” the minister had tweeted.

He had further stated that the “commencement of the visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation.”

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Providing an update on the visa issuance matter with the UAE, the aviation minister tweeted again on Wednesday that the Arab nation had confirmed that it would start issuing visas to Nigerians.

Sirika said, “UAE confirmed that they will begin issuance of visas from 8th of October, 2020.

“Travellers to have a return ticket, hotel booking, negative PCR result and a health insurance (similar to Schengen requirement).

“Health insurance can be paid through travel agents/airline.”

The visa concern issuance between Nigeria and UAE had warranted the ban on the operations of Emirates Airlines from operating into Nigeria.

Sirika had announced on September 18, 2020, that Emirates was banned from operating in Nigeria from Monday, September 21, 2020.

The minister had tweeted, “The PTF (Presidential Task Force) sub-committee met today with EU Ambassadors to discuss Lufthansa, Air France/KLM ban.

“The meeting progressed well. Emirates Airlines’ situation was reviewed and they are consequently included in the list of those not approved, with effect from Monday, September 21, 2020.”

The ban was, however, lifted after the minister again announced on September 30, 2020 that the UAE had agreed to issue visas to Nigerians.