{"id":53143,"date":"2025-10-08T05:04:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T09:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/qatar-has-not-introduced-new-visa-restrictions-on-nigerian-men\/08\/10\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T05:04:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T09:04:02","slug":"qatar-has-not-introduced-new-visa-restrictions-on-nigerian-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/qatar-has-not-introduced-new-visa-restrictions-on-nigerian-men\/08\/10\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Qatar has not introduced new visa restrictions on Nigerian men"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Visa rules are frequently the source of disinformation in Nigeria, especially hoaxes about tighter restrictions imposed on nationals from the West African nation. In September, posts circulated on social media claiming Qatar had banned single Nigerian men from visiting the country. However, this is false; there has been no official communication from either country to support the claim. A representative of Hayya, Qatar\u2019s e-visa application platform, told AFP Fact Check the visa application process for Nigerians remains unchanged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cQatar bars Nigerian men from solo travel,\u201d reads the headline on a screenshot shared by a verified Nigerian <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250930130107\/https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lindaikejiblogofficial\/p\/DObBnfJDChz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Instagram<\/a> account with more than two million followers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Posted on September 10, 2025, the caption adds that \u201cQatar has introduced new visa restrictions barring Nigerian men travelling alone from obtaining tourist or transit visas, a policy aimed at curbing overstays\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of the false Instagram post, taken on September 29, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the post, Qatar\u2019s interior ministry said the policy change will \u201capply to both new and pending applications\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cOnly women or families are eligible to apply, while men travelling independently are excluded unless accompanied by family,\u201d claims the post, adding applicants must also \u201cconfirm return transfers and book accommodation exclusively in five-star hotels before visas can be processed\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The claim was repeated <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/6SDA-279N\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:on X;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">on X<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250930130949\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02uKViBzAMMwDAiJjpE6DnntE3wG22MCWzxxEzX2CSbN2ZjxKeaUtBQAQt13Kg41ubl&amp;id=61551862253656\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Facebook<\/a>, and by Nigerian media outlet <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250930144234\/https:\/\/www.vanguardngr.com\/2025\/09\/qatar-bars-nigerian-men-from-solo-travel\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Vanguard;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Vanguard<\/a>. Other <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/D929-AZXP\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:blogs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">blogs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/W3AV-FBEU\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:newspapers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">newspapers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250930143214\/https:\/\/www.premiumtimesng.com\/foreign\/820133-qatar-new-visa-rules-restrict-nigerian-men-from-solo-travel.html?tztc=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:news websites;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">news websites<\/a>, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250930142748\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdw.africa%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0cviNQ1yiFHdP6U5FXnuy5NGFGq9BR7zVEnG2zJ6TnfKyptoi8ZPbpeczzuN45prVl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Africa service;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Africa service<\/a> of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, carried similar articles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The purported change in Qatari policy is said to be linked to past \u201ctensions between the two countries\u201d. The Instagram post cites two incidents for this; firstly, in 2019, when former lawmaker Bukola Saraki\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/punchng.com\/saraki-urges-qatar-to-end-visa-restriction-on-nigerians\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:appealed;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">appealed<\/a> for Qatar to end visa restrictions on Nigeria, whose citizens at the time were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qatarairways.com\/en\/press-releases\/2017\/Aug\/qatar-waives-entry-visa-requirements-for--citizens-of-80-countri.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:unable;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">unable<\/a> to get a visa on arrival\u00a0(archived\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20190409155936\/https:\/\/punchng.com\/saraki-urges-qatar-to-end-visa-restriction-on-nigerians\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241114053707\/https:\/\/www.qatarairways.com\/en\/press-releases\/2017\/Aug\/qatar-waives-entry-visa-requirements-for--citizens-of-80-countri.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The second was an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.moph.gov.qa\/english\/mediacenter\/News\/Pages\/NewsDetails.aspx?ItemId=637\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:announcement;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">announcement<\/a> by the Qatari government that health insurance had become a mandatory requirement for all tourists (archived <a href=\"http:\/\/perma.cc\/M9XZ-BBSF?type=image\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Elsewhere in the Gulf, Nigeria has faced <a href=\"https:\/\/punchng.com\/uae-bans-transit-visas-imposes-stricter-entry-rules-for-nigerians\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:significant;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">significant<\/a> visa restrictions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where stringent entry requirements for solo travellers have been implemented and transit visas cancelled altogether (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250722084733\/https:\/\/punchng.com\/uae-bans-transit-visas-imposes-stricter-entry-rules-for-nigerians\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, claims that Qatar has introduced new visa restrictions on single Nigerian men are false.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Hayya, Qatar\u2019s official e-visa application <a href=\"https:\/\/hayya.qa\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:website;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">website<\/a>, continues to accept applications from Nigerians without gender-based restrictions (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250901075527\/https:\/\/hayya.qa\/en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Qatari tourism website also <a href=\"https:\/\/visitqatar.com\/intl-en\/plan-your-trip\/visas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:lists;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">lists<\/a> Nigeria among the countries whose citizens are eligible for tourist visas (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/X7Z9-54XD\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot taken on September 30, 2025, showing countries in alphabetical order eligible for Qatar\u2019s tourist visas, among them Nigeria&lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"889\" height=\"721\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/wtnrkOptXia2Y4Kdu.PFRA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc3OTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/7a0866dc53066a38218104d453122c0c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot taken on September 30, 2025, showing countries in alphabetical order eligible for Qatar\u2019s tourist visas, among them Nigeria<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Online searches reveal there has been no official communication from Qatar\u2019s interior ministry about a change in visa rules for Nigerians. Furthermore, the BBC\u2019s pidgin service <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pidgin\/articles\/cge271y4xxyo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reported;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">reported<\/a> that Qatar had denied the claims (archived\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/6ZMY-NLV6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A Hayya customer care representative also told AFP Fact Check that the visa application process remains unchanged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Other debunks related to travel and migration can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/list\/Migration\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/qatar-not-introduced-visa-restrictions-084041985.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visa rules are frequently the source of disinformation in Nigeria, especially hoaxes about tighter restrictions imposed on nationals from the West African<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/qatar-has-not-introduced-new-visa-restrictions-on-nigerian-men\/08\/10\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/f89525a81a4a90241568b0812252ea76","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53143"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53143"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53143\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53143"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}