The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has refuted claims that the country and 19 others have been barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Ministry, its attention has been drawn to news circulating on various media platforms indicating that authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announce a visa ban on Ghana and 20 other nationalities seeking to travel to the UAE with immediate effect. It revealed that it has received no such directive from the authorities in the UAE and as such, the claim should be disregarded.

The ministry stated that the publications of countries affected by the visa ban includes Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros and Uganda.

Contained in a statement, the ministry noted that the publication assigned no reason for the ban but social media sources alleged that it is aimed at keeping away visitors from African countries who usually overstayed their visit visas in the UAE.

“The ministry wishes to assure the general public that it has received no such communication from the authorities in the UAE and as such, the story should be disregarded.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration indicated that information available to it emphasizes that the UAE has reviewed the requirements for its tourists and visit visas. The revision of visa regime and requirements, the ministry stated, includes the “30-day single entry visa has been put on hold”.

United Arab Emirates new directive

It further explained that a 60-day multiple visa entry regime is currently in force and travellers to the UAE should secure a round-trip ticket and a hotel booking prior to the visa application.

“While assuring the general public to remain calm, the ministry wises to advise travelling Ghanaians to observe the new visa requirements put in place by the UAE.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration

The move by the ministry followed a DW Africa social Facebook post which alleged that the UAE has announced a visa ban on nationals from 20 African countries seeking to visit Dubai starting from 24^th October, 2022.

The Germany-based news outlet explained that one of the reasons given for the ban is that many who arrive on visit visas end up overstaying in the country illegally while working, without legalising their stay.

In a notice issued to trade partners including travel agents, authorities indicated that all applications should be rejected. It stated that any applications from the listed countries will be sent back or cancelled.

According to reports, this is not the first time some African countries have been banned from entering Dubai.

In December 2021, Emirates Airlines announced that eight African countries will not be accepted to travel through Dubai until further notice due to the spread of Covid 19.