The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently implemented a ban on the issuance of Dubai visit visas to nationals from 20 countries. The ban, which has taken immediate effect, is primarily aimed at addressing issues related to overstaying and illegal employment activities within the UAE.

A German media outlet reported that the countries affected by this ban are primarily located in Africa. They include Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, the Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, the Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, and Comoros.

This decision follows the UAE’s recent announcement of a new visa regime, which stipulates that no visit visas will be issued to citizens of Nigeria who are under the age of 40. Fortunately, Pakistani nationals remain unaffected by these visa restrictions, retaining their ability to obtain visit visas for travel to the Gulf state.