Dare Babalola
The Qatari Ministry of Interior has disclosed that there are no new visa restrictions on Nigerian passport holders.
A ministry official dismissed reports claiming otherwise, telling the BBC Pidgin on Wednesday that Nigerians are welcome to travel to Qatar.
According to the BBC, Hayya, Qatar’s digital platform for e-visa services, clarified that the visa application process remains unchanged.
“There has been no suspension or changes to the current procedures. If any updates are to be made, they will be announced on our official platforms,” it stated.
Social media reports had alleged that Qatari authorities introduced a travel ban preventing male applicants from entering the country unless they were travelling with their families.
The reports also claimed that only women or families could apply for visas, with additional requirements of a five-star hotel booking and a return flight ticket before applying for a travel or transit visa.
According to the viral reports which have now been debunked, the notification cited frequent cases of overstays by Nigerian travellers as the reason.
