Uzbekistan imposes visa ban on Nigerian passport holders

Uzbekistan has imposed temporary restrictions on the issuance of visas to Nigerian passport holders and their entry into the Central Asian country, Peoples Gazette reports.

The restrictions came to light after a Nigerian woman who applied for an Uzbek visa was turned down and told that citizens of Nigeria and South Africa had recently been affected by the measures.

The fact that she held a valid Chinese stay permit did not change the outcome of her application.

“Temporary restrictions have currently been introduced on the issuance of visas and entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan for citizens of your country,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in its message rejecting her application.

It was not immediately clear why Uzbekistan imposed the measure on Nigerians or how long it would remain in place.

Uzbekistan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to an enquiry from the newspaper seeking clarification on the reasons for the restrictions and when they might be lifted.