The Qatari Ministry of Interior has officially denied reports circulating on social media that suggest new visa restrictions have been imposed on Nigerian passport holders.
In a statement to BBC Pidgin on Wednesday, a ministry official clarified that Nigerians remain eligible to apply for travel and transit visas under existing procedures.
The viral claims alleged that Qatari authorities had banned solo male travelers from Nigeria, requiring them to be accompanied by family members to gain entry.
Additional rumors suggested that only women or families could apply for visas, and that applicants must present five-star hotel bookings and confirmed return tickets.
However, Qatar’s digital visa platform, Hayya, dismissed the reports, stating:
“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”.
The rumors had cited frequent overstays by Nigerian travelers as the reason for the supposed restrictions, but no official documentation has supported those claims.
Qatar has seen a rise in Nigerian visitors in recent years, especially following the diplomatic fallout between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates from 2021 to 2024, which led to visa bans and flight suspensions.