Emirates has launched free transit visas for Nigerian passengers connecting through Dubai on its flights. In a recent email to passengers, Emirates announced, “We are pleased to offer 48 or 96-hour UAE visas to our passengers purchasing tickets during the month of November.”
BusinessDay investigations indicate that this visa offering is available exclusively to passengers flying from Nigeria on Emirates.
Bankole Bernard, Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, a leading travel conglomerate in Nigeria, commented on the initiative, explaining that the free transit visas are aimed at attracting passengers back to Emirates flights. According to Bernard, Emirates has struggled to regain its Nigerian customer base since resuming operations.
“What they need to do is to further relax visa rules. People have moved on. Emirates is feeling the impact, and if the UAE doesn’t ease its visa policies, Emirates may continue to feel it. They need to reassess their comeback strategy,” Bernard stated, adding that the airline’s relationship with travel agencies in Nigeria has also been strained.
Emirates, the UAE’s flagship airline, resumed flights to Nigeria on October 1 after a two-year suspension due to various issues, including unresolved trapped funds. BusinessDay previously reported that Emirates has faced low bookings since its return.
During Emirates’ absence, other foreign airlines, like Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air, Etihad, and RwandAir, gained traction on the Nigeria-Dubai route, capturing passengers who previously flew Emirates. Industry insiders attribute this shift to stringent visa requirements for Nigerians, as well as Emirates’ policy of dollarizing ticket prices, which has made it challenging for many Nigerians to afford.
Nigerian passport holders seeking UAE visas face complex requirements. Applicants are expected to show a bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000 (about N16 million) covering the past six months. Those holding valid visas for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Schengen countries may face somewhat relaxed requirements. Nigerians with green passports must also provide a round-trip flight ticket, proof of hotel booking, and obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) for authenticating essential documents for the UAE visa application process.
The UAE also recently rolled out various visa options for Nigerians, with fees ranging between N150,000 and N270,000. For example, a transit visa costs N150,000, while tourist visas cost N200,000 for a 14-day stay, N250,000 for a 30-day stay, and N270,000 for a 60-day stay.
An Emirates source told BusinessDay that the airline is patient with the Nigerian market, banking on its strong brand reputation. Before suspending flights, Emirates operated 14 weekly flights to Lagos, transporting an average of 350 passengers per flight and 4,900 passengers weekly in each direction, totaling approximately 9,800 passengers on the Dubai-Lagos route. Since the suspension, these 9,800 passengers have turned to alternative carriers for Dubai-bound travel.
