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  • UAE Excludes Nigeria from 70 Countries to Benefit from Visa-on-Arrival Policy

    UAE Excludes Nigeria from 70 Countries to Benefit from Visa-on-Arrival Policy

    Nigeria has been excluded from a list of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for visa-on-arrival in the United Arab Emirates.

    According to reports, the Etihad Airways has released a list of countries whose travellers landing at Abu Dhabi airport could receive visas from its immigration desks and Nigeria was missing.

    The list of about 70 countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-on-arrival at the UAE included; Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Peru.

    Others are: Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of El Salvador, Portugal, Romania, Russian, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Vatican, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.

    The report also showed that visitors who had been in Nigeria or South Africa in the preceding 14 days before travel would not be allowed to enter the UAE.

    Nigeria had for some months now being on the spot as at different times the UAE had placed a ban on travelling from the country.

    In June, the UAE had suspended flights to and from Lagos and Abuja. Emirati authorities also prohibited their nationals from visiting Nigeria and some other countries as the country controls exposure to COVID-19.

  • UAE to lift ban on transit flights from Nigeria, others

    UAE to lift ban on transit flights from Nigeria, others

    The United Arab Emirates, UAE, will on Thursday lift a ban on transit flights from Nigeria, India and Pakistan.

    The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday in a post via their Twitter handle.

    NCEMA said that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been banned would be able to transit through its airports from August 5 [Thursday] as long as they present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to departure.

    Recall that the UAE had last month announced an from Nigeria to Dubai.

    Pakistan and India are important markets for Emirates, Etihad Airways and other UAE carriers flydubai and Air Arabia.

    UAE, a major international travel hub, had banned passengers from many South Asian and African states from travelling through its airports this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.

    The transit ban had also included Nepal, Uganda, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

  • JUST IN: UAE Reinstates Ban on Nigerian flights

    JUST IN: UAE Reinstates Ban on Nigerian flights

    The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has again announced indefinite suspension of flights from Nigeria to Dubai.

    This is coming barely 48 hours after the UAE announced that it has finally lifted the ban on travels between Dubai and Nigeria.

    Dubai had placed a ban on travelers from Nigeria, South Africa based on breach of Covid-19 protocols.

    UAE in a message from the Dubai Media Office announced that passengers from Nigeria are expected to ” provide a negative result for a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure.” resumption of flights to Nigeria, Emirates.

    The authorities also initially fixed Wednesday, June 23, 2021, for resumption of flights to Nigeria.

    However, in a statement on its website on Monday, the airline said the UAE made a U-turn with a new travel update indicating that Lagos and Abuja flights would no longer resume on Wednesday as earlier announced.

    “In line with government directives, passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with effect from 21 June 2021 until further notice.

    “Customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel. Customers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.

    “We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.

    “Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow,” the statement said.

  • UAE extends ban on Nigerian flights

    UAE extends ban on Nigerian flights

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended suspension of flights from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) from February 28 to March 10.

    The UAE aviation authorities made this known in the updated travel protocol posted on the website of the Emirates Airline, the flag carrier of the UAE, on Sunday afternoon.

    The update reads: “In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until 10 March 2021.

    “Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date. Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai).

    “Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja will continue to operate as per the normal schedule.

    “We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking.

    “Emirates remains committed to Nigeria, and we look forward to resuming passenger services to Dubai for our customers when conditions allow.”

    Emirates suspended its flights a few days after the Federal Government sanctioned the airline over the introduction of rapid antigen test as a requirement for Dubai travellers, which is against the Nigerian negative PCR requirements.

    The Federal Government through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had penultimate week banned Emirates Airlines’ operations in Nigeria for violating COVID-19 protocols.

    Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, had announced the ban on February 4, 2021.

    The NCAA said the ban was necessitated by the continued airlift of passengers from Nigeria using the Rapid Antigen Tests (RDT) conducted by laboratories that are “neither approved nor authorized by the appropriate regulatory.”

    This, according to the apex aviation regulatory authority, is in flagrant violation of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 directive.

    Though the ban was lifted after Emirates announced the withdrawal of the antigen test the following day, the airline suspended all Nigerian flights and only allowed flights from Dubai to Nigeria.

  • UAE to grant citizenship to Foreign Investors and Professionals

    UAE to grant citizenship to Foreign Investors and Professionals

    The United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, announced an amendment to its laws to allow foreigners acquire its citizenship.

    The UAE Government, in a statement, said the Emirati President, Mohammed bin Rashid, approved that foreign professionals, investors and their families would be allowed to acquire the Emirati nationality under certain conditions.

    The statement read, “Under the directives of UAE President, Mohammed bin Rashid approves amendments to the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality allowing investors, professionals, special talents and their families to acquire the Emirati nationality under certain conditions.

    “The step aims at appreciating the talents and competencies present in the UAE and attracting more bright minds to the Emirati community in a way that contributes to the development and prosperity of the country.”

    UAE, especially, Dubai, is a top destination among Nigerian migrants. A percentage amongst Nigerian vibrant youthful population finds the middle east nation attractive. Nigerian elite and bourgeoisie also find the tourism hotspots in the gulf state appealing. Many Nigerian politicians have also been reported to own properties in the UAE.

    But the Gulf nation last year slammed some restrictions on Nigerians in what many described as stern bilateral policies against the West African country.

    The sanctions were not unconnected to fraudulent activities perpetrated by some Nigerians based in Dubai including alleged international internet fraudster Abass Ramon aka Hushpuppi who was arrested by the Dubai Police in June and is being prosecuted in the United States.

    Amongst other moves, the UAE authorities excluded Nigeria from a list of countries permitted to fly into the Emirates. It also stopped visa issuance to Nigerians.

    However, the UAE authorities later resumed visa issuance to Nigerians after its pride, Emirates Airline, was barred from operating flights into Nigeria, which is one of its commercially viable routes.

  • UAE grants doctors, students 10-year residence visa

    UAE grants doctors, students 10-year residence visa

    The United Arab Emirates said Sunday it will grant all doctors and infectious disease experts living in the country a 10-year visa, who are helping to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

    Foreigners in the UAE, like most Gulf countries, are generally only given limited residence visas tied to their current employment, and long-term residency is difficult to obtain.

    But to attract wealthy business people and highly skilled workers, the UAE last year launched the “Golden” 10-year visa programme, which is now being expanded.

    Those eligible include holders of doctorate degrees, medical doctors, and computer, electronics, programming, electrical and biotechnology engineers, tweeted Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

    “We are keen to embrace the talent that drives future development and this is only the beginning,” said Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the ruler of Dubai, which has the most diversified economy in the Gulf.

    Students from accredited universities who are getting top grades could also qualify, he said, along with those holding specialised degrees in artificial intelligence, big data and epidemiology.

    The scheme last year drew in some 6,800 investors, in a windfall worth $27 billion for the economy.

    Foreigners account for 90 per cent of the population of some 10 million in the oil-rich UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy.

    The country has so far recorded more than 150,000 cases of the coronavirus, including 530 deaths.

    A months-long lockdown and the impact on tourism and business has done serious damage to the economy, which was already slumping in recent years due to low oil prices.

    The “Golden Visa” was the first such scheme in the Gulf, which keeps tight control on residency.

    Similar programmes have been launched in other countries that seek to diversify their economies such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

    Riyadh said in June 2019 that it will offer permanent residency for 800,000 riyals ($213,000) and a one-year renewable residency costing 100,000 riyals ($27,000), allowing expats to do business and buy property without a Saudi sponsor.

    Meanwhile, Doha has recently flung open its property market to foreigners, with a scheme giving those purchasing homes or stores the right to longer-term or permanent residency permits.

  • Trump nominated for 2021 Nobel Peace Prize

    Trump nominated for 2021 Nobel Peace Prize

    American President, Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize following his efforts to broker peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The US president’s name has been put forward by Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde, according to Fox News.

    “For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees,” Mr Tybring-Gjedde, a four-term member of parliament, told the channel.

    Details shortly…

  • COVID-19: UAE evacuates 4,984 Nigerians back home

    COVID-19: UAE evacuates 4,984 Nigerians back home

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates, UAE has evacuated not less than 4,984 Nigerians with an additional 252 who arrived the country over the weekend.
    The PTF Chairman Boss Mustapha who made the announcement today during the press briefing in Abuja, promised that efforts are being intensified, adding ” we shall intensify the validation process for the PCR tests 3 minimize risks.’
    He said, ” Unfortunately, the validation process for the pre- boarding PCR tests have shown that 64 percent of recent spike in the number of confirmed cases came from the evacuees.”

    Mustapha also disclosed that Nigeria has the 4th highest cumulative cases in Africa with 52,227 cases , 1,002 deaths and 38,945 recoveries, as global cases increases by 1 million from 22.5 million to 23.5 million in 4 days.
    He further announced the inclusion in the COVID-19 guidelines by WHO for the use of masks for children 11 years and above, particularly as children with immune compromised conditions are advised to wear masks irrespective of age.
    Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said that the COVID-19 experience has shown that there is need to continue to review and strive for improvement in the treatment of the virus symptomatic cases, other adults and those those with existing medical conditions as a way of reducing the fatality rate in the country.

  • Iran, Turkey likely to suspend ties with UAE over deal with Israel

    Iran, Turkey likely to suspend ties with UAE over deal with Israel

    Iran and Turkey have said that the United Arab Emirates’ decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel was a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S.- led deal was a “dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims.”

    According to Turkey, the Middle East region “will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behavior” by the UAE.”

    President Donald Trump had said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians see as their future State.

    The deal was reached despite the region’s rejection of the US-led peace plan.

    But Turkish Foreign Ministry said the UAE had no authority to negotiate with Israel on matters pertaining to Palestinians, or “to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine.

    The agreement would make the UAE the first Gulf Arab state — and the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan — to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

    According to the Palestinian Government, the deal amounts to “treason”, and called on other Arab states and Muslim countries to reject the move.

    But Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, supported the UAE position, stating that it stands by its “position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East.

    “Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past months against annexation and for the resumption of direct negotiations,” Mr. Heiko said.

    China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijianalso, said the country welcomes “any measure that helps in easing tensions between Middle Eastern countries and promotes regional peace and stability.”

  • United Arab Emirates confirms first cases of novel coronavirus

    United Arab Emirates confirms first cases of novel coronavirus

    The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that several members of a family that travelled to the country from the Chinese city of Wuhan have tested positive for the new form of coronavirus.

    The UAE’s official news agency WAM cited the health ministry as saying that the health condition of those infected is stable and they are under medical observation.

    “The report does not specify the number of people affected,’’ WAM reported.

    The ministry says it has taken “all the necessary precautions in accordance with the scientific recommendations, conditions and standards approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).’’ (dpa/NAN)