Visa Cancellation: 177 Nigerians Were Deported For Breaking The Saudi Visa Regulations – Embassy

Saudi Arabia said the visas of 177 Air Peace passengers from Nigeria upon arrival in were cancelled for violating the country's entry rules

The Saudi Arabian Embassy announced on Wednesday that 177 Nigerian Air Peace passengers had their visas revoked upon arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, due to their noncompliance with the nation's entrance regulations.

The Federal Government announced on Tuesday that, in accordance with information it received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, 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.

The Saudi immigration officials notified the travelers that their visas had been revoked as soon as they arrived at the Hajj Terminal.

As a result, 87 passengers were granted admission into Jeddah by Saudi immigration, while 177 people were forced to board the same flight back to Nigeria.

The Saudi Embassy in Abuja defended the decision in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the deported Nigerians provided false information to be granted a visa category that did not apply to them, which was found out after they arrived.

"The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and social media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom.

"The passengers, who were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, did not fulfill the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that does not apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival," the statement said.

"All passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformance with the conditions prior to departing from their countries to the Kingdom," the Royal Embassy advised, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the policies and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.