Nigerian men travelling alone will no longer be eligible for tourist or transit visas to Qatar, following a new directive from the Gulf nation’s Ministry of Interior. The policy, which took effect on September 5, 2025, was first disclosed by travel agencies and industry insiders, and it applies to both fresh and pending applications. Authorities in Doha say the move is intended to curb visa overstays, but the measure has already triggered unease among Nigerians who fear its impact on business, family visits, and wider diplomatic relations.
Under the revised rules, only women and families are permitted to apply for tourist or transit visas, while men travelling independently are excluded unless they are accompanied by relatives. Applicants must also present proof of confirmed return transfers and book accommodation exclusively in five-star hotels before visas can be processed. For many Nigerians, especially business executives, students, and frequent flyers using Doha as a connecting hub to Asia and Europe, the changes represent a significant disruption.
Travel analysts warn that the restrictions could increase costs and limit opportunities for Nigerians who rely on Qatar Airways’ popular routes. “For men, it is practically a travel ban if they are not travelling with their families,” one travel operator told Vanguard. Independent male travellers now face the choice of cancelling trips or restructuring them under far stricter and more expensive conditions. The decision, they argue, effectively cuts off solo mobility for Nigerian men in one of the region’s busiest transit corridors.
This is not the first time Qatar’s visa policies have sparked controversy among Nigerians. In 2019, former Senate President Bukola Saraki appealed to Doha to ease entry restrictions, while in 2023, ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika urged for a more balanced system that would facilitate travel between both nations. The new measures, however, appear to go even further, raising fresh concerns that they could damage people-to-people exchanges and strain bilateral ties.
While Qatari authorities insist the policy is aimed at stopping overstays, Nigerian observers view the development as discriminatory. For many male travellers, especially those in trade and academia, the ban poses a major setback, cutting them off from opportunities in Qatar and beyond. Unless the rules are reviewed, analysts warn that this tightening of access could leave long-lasting implications for Nigeria-Qatar relations and disrupt the travel patterns of thousands of Nigerians who depend on Doha as a key international gateway.
