Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has refuted claims that the country and 19 others have been barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Ministry, it has received no such directive from the authorities in the UAE and as such the claim should be disregarded.

This comes on the back of a DW Africa Facebook post which alleged that the UAE has announced a visa ban on nationals from 20 African countries seeking to visit Dubai starting from 24^th October, 2022.

Affected countries are Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros and Uganda.

According to the Germany-based news outlet, one of the reasons given for the ban is that many who arrive on visit visas end up overstaying in the country illegally while working, without legalising their stay.

However, reacting to the claim, the Ministry has explained that the UAE has instead reviewed the requirements for its tourist and visit visas.

The revision of visa regimes and requirements includes the following; the 30-day single entry visas have been put on hold; a 60-day multiple visa entry regime is currently in force; and travellers to the UAE should secure a round-trip ticket and a hotel booking prior to the visa application.