The government of Qatar has dismissed reports circulating on social media that it has introduced fresh visa restrictions against Nigerian travellers.
Earlier in the week, several blogs and online platforms claimed that the Gulf nation’s interior ministry had barred Nigerian men from applying for tourist or transit visas unless accompanied by their families.
The alleged policy also reportedly required applicants to present evidence of return tickets and five-star hotel reservations before visas could be granted.
However, an official of the Qatari Embassy in Abuja told journalists on Wednesday that no such directive exists.
The official stressed that there has been “no official information or updates” confirming the claims.
Similarly, Qatar’s e-visa portal, Hayya, confirmed to the BBC that the 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,” the portal stated.
Qatar remains a major transit hub for international travel and has in recent years attracted a growing number of Nigerian tourists and business visitors.