Qatar has introduced new visa restrictions barring Nigerian men travelling alone from obtaining tourist or transit visas, a policy aimed at curbing overstays, officials said.
The Ministry of Interior’s rules, effective from around September 5, 2025, apply to both new and pending visa applications. Under the policy, only women or families are eligible to apply, while men travelling independently are excluded unless accompanied by family. Applicants must also confirm return transfers and book accommodation exclusively in five-star hotels before visas can be processed.
For many Nigerians, particularly male business executives, students, and those using Doha as a transit hub to Asia and Europe, the new rules represent a significant obstacle. “This is going to affect a lot of Nigerians who fly Qatar Airways to Asia or Europe. For men, it is practically a travel ban if they are not going with their family,” a travel industry source told Vanguard.
Qatar defended the policy as a measure to stop overstays, but analysts warn the restrictions could strain bilateral relations and hinder people-to-people exchanges. Male travellers now face either cancelling plans or restructuring trips under stricter and costlier conditions.
Visa restrictions have previously caused tensions between the two countries. In 2019, former Senate President Bukola Saraki appealed to Qatar to ease entry barriers for Nigerians, and in 2023, former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika urged for a fairer system. The latest measures, however, appear stricter, particularly targeting Nigerian men.