UAE still issuing work permits to Nigerians, says MFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the United Arab Emirate still issues Direct Employment Visas to Nigerians living in Arab country.
The Ministry explained that several work permits were renewed recently, noting, however, that new applications for work permits were not being granted.
The Director of Consular Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Akinremi, disclosed this on Thursday in response to inquiries about the refusal of the authorities to issue work permits to Nigerians.
It was gathered that over 500 Nigerians had been affected by the new policy, which was informed by the increasing involvement of Nigerians in cultism, violent crimes and cyber scam, among other criminal activities in the UAE.
A UAE resident, Mr. Chukwudi Kalu, dismissed Akinremi’s assertion that the Emirati authorities were renewing work visas, noting that only free zone visas were being renewed and not the general labour visas.
He stated, “That is not correct. We have two types of visas in the UAE, free zone and labour visas. You can easily renew your visa if it is under the free zone.
“However, most of those affected are under labour resident visas. The majority of companies are under labour and our people are being affected seriously.
“I have already submitted the list of affected Nigerians to the Nigerian Ambassador in Dubai during our meeting two weeks ago. They (FG) should face the fact and do the needful.
