UAE DVN & Visa Cost Planner
For Nigerian passport holders. See your full cost breakdown before you start the process.
Enter your travel group details below. The tool calculates DVN fees, visa fees, and the bank balance you need to show. No data is stored.
What to Do Next
Common Mistakes Nigerians Make with the DVN Process
What Is the UAE DVN and Why Does It Exist for Nigerians?
The Document Verification Number (DVN) is a unique code issued to Nigerian passport holders after their documents have been verified through a process managed by the Document Verification Hub. It was introduced in July 2024 as part of the conditions attached to the resumption of UAE visa issuance for Nigerians, following a visa ban that had been in place for over two years.
The DVN functions as a gate before the gate. You cannot submit a UAE visa application as a Nigerian without a valid DVN. The DVN confirms that your passport and supporting documents have been reviewed and authenticated before they ever reach the visa processing stage.
How This Cost Planner Works
The tool uses fixed fee figures published by the Document Verification Hub, combined with estimated visa fees from UAE immigration processing rates for tourist and visit visas. You enter your own USD and AED to Naira exchange rates so the naira figures reflect your actual cost today, not a rate from months ago.
The formula for your total DVN cost is:
= Number of Adults × 688,000
Visa Total (NGN) = (Adults + Children) × Visa Fee in AED × AED Rate
Bank Requirement (NGN) = $10,000 × USD Rate
The hotel estimate uses AED 450 per night as a conservative mid-range benchmark for Dubai. Actual rates vary widely. Budget hotels in less central areas can go for AED 200 to AED 280 per night. Luxury hotels easily run AED 1,200 and above.
Why These Numbers Are Used
The DVN base fee of ₦640,000 (excluding VAT) and VAT of ₦48,000 (at 7.5%) were published by the Document Verification Hub and widely reported by Nigerian financial and news publications in July 2024. The total inclusive figure comes to ₦688,000 per adult applicant.
Visa fees are estimates based on publicly available UAE tourist visa pricing schedules. These fees vary slightly based on the processing agent and whether you apply through the UAE Visa Centre or a licensed travel agent. The 30-day single-entry tourist visa has been consistently priced in the AED 250 to AED 500 range for most nationalities. The tool uses AED 350 as a conservative mid-point.
Table of Truth: Common Scenarios and Estimated Costs
| Scenario | DVN Cost (NGN) | Visa Cost (est.) | Bank Req. (est.) | Trip Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo adult, 7 nights | ₦688,000 | ~₦130,000 | ~₦13.85M | ~₦2.0M+ |
| Couple (2 adults), 7 nights | ₦1,376,000 | ~₦260,000 | ~₦13.85M | ~₦3.3M+ |
| Family: 2 adults + 1 child (under 13), 7 nights | ₦1,376,000 | ~₦390,000 | ~₦13.85M | ~₦3.5M+ |
| Solo adult, 60-day visa, 14 nights | ₦688,000 | ~₦180,000 | ~₦13.85M | ~₦3.0M+ |
| Transit (96-hour), 1 adult | ₦688,000 | ~₦40,000 | Proof of onward travel | ~₦800k+ |
All NGN figures calculated at approximately ₦1,385/USD and ₦377/AED. Visa fees are estimates. Hotel costs excluded from visa/DVN subtotals above. Bank balance requirement is the $10,000 threshold at the current rate.
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single applicant, tourism trip
Adaeze, 27, wants to visit Dubai for a week. She pays the DVN fee of ₦688,000. Her 30-day single-entry visa is approximately AED 350. She has a confirmed hotel for 7 nights at AED 450 per night (AED 3,150 total). Her bank statement needs to show a consistent $10,000 balance over 6 months, which at current rates is about ₦13.85 million. Before flights and personal spending, her minimum documented outlay is roughly ₦2 million to ₦2.4 million.
Scenario 2: Couple travelling together
Emeka and Chidi are both 31. Each needs their own DVN at ₦688,000 each, totalling ₦1,376,000. They share hotel costs (same room), so their hotel spend is the same as a solo applicant: around AED 3,150 for 7 nights. Their visa fees double. Total documented outlay before flights is roughly ₦3.3 million. The $10,000 bank balance requirement applies to each applicant individually.
Scenario 3: Family with a child under 13
The Okafor family: two adults and one 8-year-old. The child does not need a DVN but does need a visa application with a separate fee. Both parents pay the DVN fee (₦1,376,000 combined). All three need visa applications. The child’s birth certificate and both parents’ passports are required. The bank statement requirement is assessed on the adult applicants. Total DVN and visa costs are around ₦3.5 million before hotel and flights.
Common Questions About the UAE DVN Process
Is the DVN fee refundable if my visa is denied?
No. The DVN fee is explicitly non-refundable. If your visa application is denied after you have obtained the DVN, you do not get the ₦688,000 back. This is one of the most painful parts of the current process for Nigerian applicants.
Do I need a new DVN every time I travel to the UAE?
Yes, based on the current setup. The DVN expires after 14 days from issuance or when your visa application is processed, whichever comes first. This means each new trip to the UAE will likely require a fresh DVN application and fee payment.
Does my child under 13 need a DVN?
No. Children under 13 are exempt from the DVN requirement. They still need a visa application with standard supporting documents, including a birth certificate.
Can I get the DVN while living abroad (not in Nigeria)?
The DVN process is managed online through the Document Verification Hub portal. The visa fee itself must be paid at the nearest UAE Visa Centre, which may not always be in Nigeria for diaspora applicants. Check with the nearest UAE consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
What happens if my DVN expires before my visa is processed?
You will need to obtain a new DVN and pay the fee again. This is why timing matters. Apply for the DVN only when you are ready to immediately submit your visa application.
Is the $10,000 bank balance requirement official UAE policy?
The UAE GDRFAD stated it was not aware of this requirement as a formal official rule. However, Nigerian applicants are generally advised by travel agents familiar with the process to maintain strong bank statements. The standard requirement for UAE tourist visas is demonstrating financial sufficiency. The specific ₦10,000 figure circulated via the DVN Hub website and Nigerian government statements in July 2024.
How long does it take to get the DVN?
The DVN Hub states applicants should receive the DVN within 5 working days of successful payment. Some applicants report receiving it faster. Build in extra time to avoid rushing your visa submission.
Are the DVN and visa fee the only costs I need to budget for?
No. Beyond the DVN and visa fee, you need a confirmed return flight (required as part of the application), confirmed hotel booking (proof required), spending money while in the UAE (UAE authorities may ask for proof of AED 5,000 on arrival), and travel insurance is strongly recommended. The total realistic budget for a solo 7-night trip is well above ₦2.5 million.
Assumptions This Tool Uses
- DVN base fee: ₦640,000 per adult, excluding VAT. VAT at 7.5% adds ₦48,000. Total per adult: ₦688,000.
- Children under 13 are exempt from the DVN fee based on the DVN Hub’s stated policy.
- Visa fees are estimates. The tool uses AED 350 for 30-day single entry, AED 550 for 30-day multiple entry, AED 700 for 60-day visit visa, and AED 100 for 96-hour transit. These are not official rates and may vary by agent and processing method.
- Hotel estimate uses AED 450 per night (mid-range Dubai estimate). Actual rates range from AED 200 to AED 1,200 and above.
- The bank balance requirement of $10,000 is used as reported by the DVN Hub and Nigerian media in July 2024. This has not been officially confirmed by UAE immigration as a fixed rule.
- Exchange rates entered by the user. The tool does not fetch live rates. The default is set to approximately ₦1,385/USD and ₦377/AED based on late March 2026 rates.
- Flights, travel insurance, and personal spending are excluded from the total.
