In Georgia, Pak man with UAE residency denied entry to US state, says 'was treated like a criminal'. Know the revised rules
A Pakistani national with UAE residency faced detention and denial of entry at Kutaisi International Airport in Georgia, despite possessing valid documents. The traveler recounted a harrowing experience of mistreatment and humiliation, highlighting concerns about discriminatory practices. Georgia's updated visa policy now mandates a minimum validity of one year on GCC residency permits, impacting travelers from designated countries.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Pak man denied entry to Georgia
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Georgia's revised rules
A Pakistani national living in the UAE was detained for more than 12 hours and denied entry at Kutaisi International Airport during the Eid al-Adha holiday, despite holding valid UAE residency and all required travel documents, according to a Reddit post shared by the traveller and media reports. The traveller, a Pakistani national with UAE residency, had planned a short vacation to Georgia, assuming his documents would suffice. Instead, he and his friend were denied entry, detained in a "prison-like" room, and allegedly humiliated by airport authorities, despite having valid papers.Georgia allows visa-free entry to citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and also permits individuals holding a UAE visa or residence permit to stay for up to 90 days.In a Reddit post cautioning fellow Pakistanis against traveling to Georgia, one user recounted a troubling experience at Kutaisi Airport. He explained that he and a friend had flown from Abu Dhabi to Kutaisi via Wizz Air, carrying valid UAE residency permits, confirmed hotel reservations, return tickets, travel insurance, and all necessary documentation. Despite being fully prepared, their trip quickly soured when immigration officers singled them out upon learning they were from Pakistan."If you are a Pakistani National with UAE residency, I warn you to not waste your money and face the humiliation we faced at Kutaisi airport," the user wrote in the Reddit post.He said they were then taken to a separate room, where officials refused to answer any of their questions. Instead, they were treated with hostility and instructed to stand in a corner. After about 20 minutes, a woman entered and informed them they would not be allowed to enter Georgia. When they asked for a reason, she simply replied, 'We cannot tell you.''There was no explanation, no evidence, no mention of any violation—just a vague refusal,' he recounted. 'We asked politely for clarification, but they continued to treat us like criminals.'The Reddit user emphasized that neither he nor his friend had misbehaved or lacked any required paperwork. Still, they were detained for over 12 hours in what he described as a "prison-like" room with no access to food, clean water, or a sanitary bathroom.He added that he holds a senior position in Abu Dhabi, has a clean travel record, and no criminal history. Despite this, he claimed the airport officials were aggressive and tried to confiscate their phones when they realized he was attempting to contact the UAE and Pakistani embassies.'Our loss wasn't just financial—we lost money on flights, hotels, insurance, and car rentals,' he wrote. 'But far worse was the mental anguish, anxiety, and psychological toll. The officers were rude, racist, and unjust—plain and simple. We feel humiliated, angry, and dehumanized. This experience will stay with us forever.'The post quickly gained traction online, prompting others to share similar experiences in Georgia.'I'm Nigerian, and this happened to me and my friend in 2023. It was a horrible experience. Now, even when traveling elsewhere, I get PTSD about possible entry refusal—even with all documents in order,' one commenter shared.'They target many Indians too,' another user added. 'Traveling to Georgia is risky for South Asians. It's best to avoid it altogether.''You're not the first,' noted a third. 'Georgia has earned a bad reputation for its treatment of South Asians. As a Pakistani, you're better off visiting neighboring Azerbaijan.'Georgia has updated its visa policy, now requiring that citizens from designated countries holding multiple-entry visas or residence permits from GCC states must have at least one year of validity remaining on those documents at the time of entry. Travelers must be able to present proof of this validity. Previously, no minimum validity period was specified, reports TOI.Travel agents in the UAE have confirmed that incidents similar to Muhammad's have become more common since the new rules were implemented.'This isn't unusual—many countries have had such requirements for years,' said Godly Babukutty, a UAE-based travel agent, in a statement to Khaleej Times. 'Georgia is tightening its entry policies because many travelers arrive without a proper itinerary or fail to complete all necessary sections of the entry form.'Babukutty advised travelers to secure hotel reservations, return flights, travel insurance, and proof of sufficient funds before departure. 'This is why it's always safer to book through travel agencies that ensure all documentation is in order. And we strongly advise never traveling without insurance,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Muslim pilgrims 'stone the devil' as hajj nears end in Saudi Arabia
AP image Pilgrims were performing the last major ritual of the hajj - the "stoning of the devil" - on Friday, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday. Starting before day break, the more than 1.6 million Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage threw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina valley, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca. Droves of pilgrims had already set out of their camps and accommodations in the sprawling tent city in Mina before dawn, taking advantage of the shade and cool temperature. The ritual commemorates Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son. "Our experience in Mina was easy and simple. We entered and within five minutes we had completed the stoning of the devil at the 'Jamarat'," said 34-year-old Wael Ahmed Abdel Kader, from Egypt, after carrying out the ritual at dawn. MBS' Direct Threat To Netanyahu In Rare Eid Message; Saudi Crown Prince Rallies For Palestinians Howakita, a pilgrm from Guinea, said the prospect of celebrating Eid in Mecca filled her with joy. "When I threw the stones I felt at ease. I was truly proud," she said. A day earlier, pilgrims converged on Mount Arafat, praying and reciting Koranic verses at the 70-metre (230-foot) rocky rise near Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. Many climbed the mount despite the searing heat, though numbers had thinned by midday following official warnings for pilgrims to stay inside between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People In Andhra Pradesh Say Goodbye To Mosquitoes With This Revolutionary Solution Mosquito Eliminator Read More Undo This year's hajj saw authorities implementing a range of heat mitigation efforts alongside a wide-ranging crackdown on illicit pilgrims -- resulting in noticeably thinner crowds and a heavy security presence at holy sites in Mecca and surrounding areas. The measures were aimed at preventing a fatal repeat of last year's hajj that saw 1,301 people die in temperatures that hit 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit). Saudi authorities said a majority of those deaths were among pilgrims who illegally snuck into Mecca and lacked access to accommodation and other services aimed to keep pilgrims safe and protected from the searing desert heat. This hajj season has recorded the lowest number of pilgrims in over three decades, barring the years of Covid restrictions from 2020-2022. Last year, 1.8 million Muslims took part in the hajj, according to official figures. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery system. But even for those who can secure them, the high costs spur many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. The stoning ritual in the Mina valley was the scene of a fatal stampede in 2015, when 2,300 people were killed in one of the deadliest hajj disasters. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. The pilgrimages are also a source of prestige for the Saudi monarch, who is known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Mecca and Medina. The end of the hajj coincides with the beginning of Eid al-Adha -- an annual feasting holiday marked by the slaughter of an animal -- typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
In Georgia, Pak man with UAE residency denied entry to US state, says 'was treated like a criminal'. Know the revised rules
A Pakistani national with UAE residency faced detention and denial of entry at Kutaisi International Airport in Georgia, despite possessing valid documents. The traveler recounted a harrowing experience of mistreatment and humiliation, highlighting concerns about discriminatory practices. Georgia's updated visa policy now mandates a minimum validity of one year on GCC residency permits, impacting travelers from designated countries. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pak man denied entry to Georgia Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Georgia's revised rules A Pakistani national living in the UAE was detained for more than 12 hours and denied entry at Kutaisi International Airport during the Eid al-Adha holiday, despite holding valid UAE residency and all required travel documents, according to a Reddit post shared by the traveller and media reports. The traveller, a Pakistani national with UAE residency, had planned a short vacation to Georgia, assuming his documents would suffice. Instead, he and his friend were denied entry, detained in a "prison-like" room, and allegedly humiliated by airport authorities, despite having valid allows visa-free entry to citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and also permits individuals holding a UAE visa or residence permit to stay for up to 90 a Reddit post cautioning fellow Pakistanis against traveling to Georgia, one user recounted a troubling experience at Kutaisi Airport. He explained that he and a friend had flown from Abu Dhabi to Kutaisi via Wizz Air, carrying valid UAE residency permits, confirmed hotel reservations, return tickets, travel insurance, and all necessary documentation. Despite being fully prepared, their trip quickly soured when immigration officers singled them out upon learning they were from Pakistan."If you are a Pakistani National with UAE residency, I warn you to not waste your money and face the humiliation we faced at Kutaisi airport," the user wrote in the Reddit said they were then taken to a separate room, where officials refused to answer any of their questions. Instead, they were treated with hostility and instructed to stand in a corner. After about 20 minutes, a woman entered and informed them they would not be allowed to enter Georgia. When they asked for a reason, she simply replied, 'We cannot tell you.''There was no explanation, no evidence, no mention of any violation—just a vague refusal,' he recounted. 'We asked politely for clarification, but they continued to treat us like criminals.'The Reddit user emphasized that neither he nor his friend had misbehaved or lacked any required paperwork. Still, they were detained for over 12 hours in what he described as a "prison-like" room with no access to food, clean water, or a sanitary added that he holds a senior position in Abu Dhabi, has a clean travel record, and no criminal history. Despite this, he claimed the airport officials were aggressive and tried to confiscate their phones when they realized he was attempting to contact the UAE and Pakistani embassies.'Our loss wasn't just financial—we lost money on flights, hotels, insurance, and car rentals,' he wrote. 'But far worse was the mental anguish, anxiety, and psychological toll. The officers were rude, racist, and unjust—plain and simple. We feel humiliated, angry, and dehumanized. This experience will stay with us forever.'The post quickly gained traction online, prompting others to share similar experiences in Georgia.'I'm Nigerian, and this happened to me and my friend in 2023. It was a horrible experience. Now, even when traveling elsewhere, I get PTSD about possible entry refusal—even with all documents in order,' one commenter shared.'They target many Indians too,' another user added. 'Traveling to Georgia is risky for South Asians. It's best to avoid it altogether.''You're not the first,' noted a third. 'Georgia has earned a bad reputation for its treatment of South Asians. As a Pakistani, you're better off visiting neighboring Azerbaijan.'Georgia has updated its visa policy, now requiring that citizens from designated countries holding multiple-entry visas or residence permits from GCC states must have at least one year of validity remaining on those documents at the time of entry. Travelers must be able to present proof of this validity. Previously, no minimum validity period was specified, reports agents in the UAE have confirmed that incidents similar to Muhammad's have become more common since the new rules were implemented.'This isn't unusual—many countries have had such requirements for years,' said Godly Babukutty, a UAE-based travel agent, in a statement to Khaleej Times. 'Georgia is tightening its entry policies because many travelers arrive without a proper itinerary or fail to complete all necessary sections of the entry form.'Babukutty advised travelers to secure hotel reservations, return flights, travel insurance, and proof of sufficient funds before departure. 'This is why it's always safer to book through travel agencies that ensure all documentation is in order. And we strongly advise never traveling without insurance,' he added.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Is Samantha Ruth Prabhu holidaying with Raj Nidimoru? Sunglass reflection sparks buzz
's serene vacation in Abu Dhabi has sparked unexpected speculation, thanks to one particular photo that's gone viral. The actress recently shared glimpses from her stay at the luxurious Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort — posing in a black swimsuit, reading under the desert sun, and stargazing through a telescope. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Desert vacation turns into an internet investigation However, fans weren't just admiring the scenery. In one photo where Samantha sports reflective sunglasses, eagle-eyed Reddit users claim to spot filmmaker 's reflection, fueling rumours that he may be the one clicking the photo. Samantha Ruth Prabhu Spotted at Mumbai Airport in Casual Look Though there's no clear confirmation, the reflection has sparked a wave of chatter online, especially among those who have been tracking rumours of a possible romance between Samantha and Raj — one-half of the well-known creator duo Raj & DK. Netizens findings One Reddit user wrote, 'Yes , in her glasses .' Another one wrote, 'Lol i saw it too and took a close up of her sunglasses and sent to to one of my mates. Even the shooting one I believe it's him.' However, some comments were against the finding. One commented, 'That doesn't look like him.' Another one commented, 'But iss picture mein raj hai kha ?.' A third one commented, 'Who's Raj? Raj&Dk???.' Raj's ex-wife, Shhyamali De's Instagram stories Speculation around Samantha and Raj has been quietly building over the past few months. Neither Samantha nor Raj has addressed the rumours directly, but this isn't the first time fans have looked for clues. The two have worked together on 'The Family Man 2' and are known to share a professional rapport. But now, some netizens believe their bond may have grown beyond work. Recently, Raj's ex-wife, Shhyamali De, shared quotes on her Instagram stories, such as 'Time exposes, Karma corrects, The Universe Humbles' — without naming anyone directly. The timing of these posts, which coincided with the buzz around Samantha and Raj, has only added to the intrigue.
