Nigerians living in the United Arab Emirates- UAE- with expired visas have been ordered to leave the country before August 17, 2020.
Commentators estimate that this development in the UAE may not be unconnected to the negative reports about Nigerians in the country.
Earlier in June, Abass Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, internet celebrity, and several other Nigerians were arrested by the Dubai Police for internet-originated fraud. They were subsequently flown to the USA where they are currently facing trial and could spend close to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Also in June, employers in the UAE excluded Nigeria from applying for advertised job openings.
However, the Nigerian Embassy in the country has announced that Nigerians affected by the order to leave the UAE on account of expired visas may have some respite coming their way.
The Nigerian embassy in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday disclosed in a statement that the UAE has granted waivers on fines and penalties on visas that expired before March 1.
The embassy urged affected citizens to submit their papers for emigration processing.
It said Nigerians are advised to join the evacuation flights arranged from the country before the deadline.
“The Embassy wishes to inform that the government of the United Arab Emirates has granted waivers on fines/penalties on visas that expired before 1st March 2020 to leave the country on or before 17th of August, 2020,” the statement read.
“Consequently, the Embassy is urging fellow Nigerians living in the UAE to avail themselves of this opportunity to return home with the impending Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled for 1st August, 2020, and or subsequent Emirates evacuation flights before the expiration of the grace period.
“Accordingly, affected Nigerian nationals who are willing to return home are kindly requested to submit their names and passport numbers to the Embassy and or the Consulate for onward transmission to the UAE authorities in order to obtain the necessary clearance.”
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