In recent weeks, French travelers seeking to enter Niger have encountered difficulties gaining entry to the country. As early as February, cases of refusal were reported at Niamey airport, even for individuals with valid documents. Since then, and against a backdrop of strained relations between Paris and Niamey, the situation remains complicated for French nationals upon arrival.
Having all necessary documents in order is no longer sufficient for French travelers to Niger, according to several sources. Even with a valid visa, French citizens are not immune to being turned away upon arrival in the country. It is now necessary to present an additional document upon arrival. From reliable sources, three French nationals arriving in Niamey on behalf of an NGO were turned away this month.
This special permit is issued on a case-by-case basis by the Nigerien Ministry of Interior, without clear criteria for allocation, one of our sources reveals. “To my knowledge, only French nationals are affected by this measure,” comments another source contacted in Niamey.
In early February, a Nigerien source mentioned a reciprocity measure taken by the Nigerien authorities in response to France’s cancellation of visas granted to Nigeriens, without further details.