Qatar has introduced sweeping new visa restrictions barring Nigerian men from travelling alone, a move set to disrupt transit and business travel across the Gulf state.
Under rules enforced by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior from 5 September 2025, only women and families are now eligible to obtain tourist or transit visas. Nigerian men travelling independently will no longer be approved unless accompanied by family members.
The new requirements also mandate that all applicants present a confirmed return transfer and proof of accommodation exclusively in five-star hotels before visas are processed.
Doha says the policy aims to curb overstays, but the decision has sparked concern in Nigeria, where many travellers rely on Qatar as a key transit hub for routes to Asia and Europe. The rules are expected to hit business executives, students, and professionals particularly hard, with higher travel costs and fewer independent options.
Nigeria and Qatar have previously held talks on easing entry barriers, with appeals in 2019 by then Senate President Bukola Saraki and in 2023 by former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. However, the latest move signals a sharp tightening of mobility for Nigerians, particularly men travelling solo.
For now, independent travel for Nigerian men to Qatar has effectively been shut down reshaping travel choices and straining bilateral ties between the two nations.
