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Qatar imposes strict visa rules on Nigerians, bans men from travelling without their families
In a notice issued by TravelTank, an online travel agency, to its clients, the Qatari government, through its Interior Ministry, said the new rules, which take effect immediately, apply to both tourist and transit visas, and will also affect all pending applications.
Under the new rules, Nigerian men will no longer be eligible to obtain tourist or transit visas to Qatar unless they are travelling with their families.
The restrictions also mean that only women or families are permitted to apply for visas independently.
In addition, applicants are now required to book accommodation exclusively in 5-star hotels before their visas can be processed.
The policy also makes it compulsory for travellers to secure a confirmed return transfer alongside their hotel reservation as part of the application requirements.
The government of Qatar further clarified that these measures are not only for future applications but also apply to all pending visa approvals involving Nigerian nationals.
It explained that the new rules are aimed at curbing abuse of the country’s immigration system and ensuring compliance with international travel standards.
The development is expected to affect Nigerians planning visits to Qatar for tourism, business, or transit, as the new requirements impose stricter conditions for entry.
Meanwhile, the government of Nigeria is yet to react to the development as of press time.