Saudi Arabia finally addresses the issue of visa cancellation for 177 Nigerians

Due to their noncompliance with the country’s entrance restrictions, the visas of 177 Nigerian Air Peace passengers were cancelled upon their arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as stated by the Saudi Arabian Embassy on Wednesday.

Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 airlifted 264 passengers on Monday, November 23, 2023, from the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport, according to information the Federal Government received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah. This information was announced on Tuesday.

When the travellers arrived at the Hajj terminal, Saudi Immigration officials informed them that their visas had been withdrawn.

Consequently, after passing immigration, 87 travellers were allowed entry into Jeddah, but 177 others had to board the same aircraft to return to Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy on Wednesday, the deported Nigerians obtained a kind of visa that does not apply to them by providing false information, which was discovered upon their arrival.

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The deportation of Nigerian nationals at the point of entrance into the Kingdom has been reported in the media and on social media. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to clarify this.

“It was discovered upon their arrival that the passengers who were denied entry and subsequently deported to their original destinations did not meet the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom,” the statement read. “They submitted false information to obtain a category of visa that does not apply to them.”

In order to ensure that all visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comply with the laws and processes put in place, the Royal Embassy emphasised the necessity of reviewing all documentation before leaving their home countries and travelling to the Kingdom.

“This procedure was open to citizens of other countries as well as Nigerian citizens.”