Authorities in the United Arab Emirates  have announced a visa ban on Gambians  and 20 other nationalities with immediate effect.

The other countries on the travel ban list include Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros and the Dominican Republic.

“This is to inform you that we will not be posting 30 days visa applications for these nationalities effective today October, 18, 2022,” the UAE authorities said in a travel directive issued to travel agents and airlines. 

“Any applications from the above mentioned countries will be sent back or cancelled.”

No reason was given as to why UAE had taken the decision, but some reports suggested that the ban was aimed at tackling visitors overstaying their visas.