The government of Qatar has introduced a new visa policy for Nigerians, bringing major changes that will affect who can visit and under what conditions. The announcement was made by the country's Ministry of Interior, and it comes as a response to several reported cases of Nigerian visitors overstaying their visas in recent months.

According to the new guidelines, any Nigerian applying for a tourist or transit visa must show proof of a return ticket. This rule is meant to guarantee that visitors leave Qatar within the required period of their stay. Without this proof, an application will not be considered.

Another important condition now added is hotel booking. Only confirmed reservations at five-star hotels will be accepted. This means that budget or mid-range accommodation options are no longer valid for visa purposes, which raises the entry requirements significantly for many travellers.

The ministry has also tightened eligibility. Female travellers, as well as families, can still apply for visas, but single male travellers will no longer be accepted unless they are travelling with their families. This marks a major shift that restricts solo male visits from Nigeria.

All these rules have been implemented with immediate effect. They apply not only to new applicants but also to those who already have pending visa requests in the system. Many Nigerians who had planned trips to Qatar may now face difficulties adjusting to the new requirements.

For Nigerian travellers, these changes mean more careful planning and higher costs when considering Qatar as a destination. It also signals Qatar's efforts to manage overstays and maintain strict immigration control.

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