Following recent reports suggesting a visa ban on Nigerian travellers entering Turkey, the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has issued a statement clarifying the situation.
On Thursday, news outlets circulated reports suggesting that Turkey, along with Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, had revoked certain visa privileges for Nigerian passport holders. These privileges reportedly included visa-on-arrival, e-visas, and even the issuance of passports altogether.
The Turkish Embassy directly addressed these rumours, stating there is no outright visa ban on Nigerians. Wunmi Evelyn, the personal secretary to the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, emphasized the official channels for such announcements.
“Any updates regarding the rules and procedures of a country’s visa policies are officially notified to the respective foreign ministries,”
Evelyn explained.
“Embassies then issue statements or announcements to inform the public.”
Evelyn further clarified that visa applications from Nigerian travellers are assessed on a case-by-case basis. This approach aims to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of each applicant’s eligibility.
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She also addressed situations where applicants have previously been denied visas.
“If there wasn’t any fraud or forged documents involved in the initial application,”
Evelyn explained,
“applicants can improve their chances by correcting any mistakes and strengthening their application.”
This includes updating supporting documents and avoiding outdated information.
These clarifications come amidst the recent ranking of Nigeria’s passports by the Henley Passport Index. The 2023 Index placed Nigeria at 90th globally, granting visa-free access to only 46 destinations out of 227. This ranking positions Nigeria’s passport as the fifth-worst in Africa (tied with South Sudan) and ahead of only a handful of other African nations.
The Turkish Embassy’s statement aims to provide transparency and alleviate concerns among Nigerian travellers seeking Turkish visas. By understanding the application process and potential reasons for previous rejections, Nigerians can strengthen their applications and increase their chances of obtaining a Turkish visa.
