Latest news with #KutaisiInternationalAirport
Time of India
2 days 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
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Treated like criminals': UAE-based Pak man detained 12 hours, denied entry to Georgia despite UAE residency
Several UAE residents travelling to Georgia for the Eid Al Adha holidays have been refused entry at Kutaisi International Airport under new visa regulations implemented by Georgia on April 17, 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The changes were introduced through an amendment to the Government Resolution of June 5, 2015, and impact nationals from multiple countries, even if they hold valid UAE residence permits. The updated policy no longer allows visa-free access to certain nationalities based solely on short-term Gulf visas or residency permits. Only travellers holding multiple-entry GCC visas or residence permits with at least one year of validity at the time of entry can now enter Georgia without a Georgian visa. Despite Georgia continuing to allow visa-free entry to citizens of the United Arab Emirates, and allowing UAE visa or residence permit holders to stay for up to 90 days, several individuals from the subcontinent with valid UAE residency have reported being turned away and detained. 'We were excited for a peaceful vacation…then it turned Into a nightmare' Muhammad, a 31-year-old Pakistani national and senior product manager based in Abu Dhabi, flew to Kutaisi with a friend on a Wizz Air flight for Eid holidays. Although they had UAE residency, hotel bookings, return tickets, and insurance, they were stopped before immigration and denied entry without explanation. In a , Muhammad wrote: 'We were excited for a short, peaceful vacation. But the moment we landed, things turned into a nightmare.' He explained that as soon as immigration officials heard they were Pakistani, they were pulled aside. 'As soon as we landed, even before immigration counter they asked where are we from. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We told them we are UAE residents and Pakistani nationals.' 'They heard 'Pakistan' and a guy from the police asked us to come on the side, took our passports, took our pictures in front of all people, which was very humiliating,' he claimed. 'We had all the required documents, UAE residency proof, hotel bookings, return tickets, and travel insurance. Some passengers were stopped before boarding, but we were cleared to fly.' He told Khaleej Times After being escorted aside, Muhammad and his friend were detained in what he described as a "prison-like room" for over 12 hours, without food, clean water, or proper sanitation. 'We were detained for over 12+ hours, locked in a prison-like room with no access to food or proper water. The bathroom was filthy,' he revealed. 'When we asked why, they simply said: We cannot tell you.' He added: 'No reason. No proof. No violation. Just a vague statement. We requested clarification, even politely asked for some justification. They kept refusing and misbehaving like we are some criminals.' He also claimed airport authorities tried to snatch his phone when he attempted to call the Pakistan Embassy. 'The officers were rude, racist, and unjust, plain and simple,' he wrote. 'We feel humiliated. We feel angry. We feel dehumanized. And we'll never forget this experience.' Muhammad stated that the experience wasn't just about financial loss, even though he had already spent money on flights, hotel bookings, insurance, car rental, and other travel arrangements. 'But that's nothing compared to the mental distress, anxiety, and psychological damage we experienced.' Revised entry rules: One-year minimum validity now mandatory The changes to Georgia's visa policy now state that citizens from designated countries who hold multiple-entry visas or residence permits from GCC states will only be allowed visa-free entry if their visa or permit is valid for at least one year on the date of entry. Travellers must provide documentation to prove this. Previously, the regulation did not specify a minimum validity period. Travel agents in the UAE confirmed that cases like Muhammad's have occurred since the new rules took effect. 'What Georgia has implemented now is nothing new and many countries have been doing this for years. The reason why Georgia is now tightening its security measures is because people would often not have a proper itinerary or would book tickets without answering all the required questions on the form.' Godly Babukutty, a travel agent in the UAE, told Khaleej Times. He advised that travellers should ensure hotel bookings, return tickets, insurance, and proof of funds are ready before flying, and added: 'This is why it is always safer to book through travel agencies who ensure travellers have all the necessary documentation before flying out. We also urge our customers to never travel without insurance.' Affected nationalities and rising complaints of discrimination The updated visa policy specifically applies to nationals of the following countries: Pakistan Afghanistan Bangladesh Ghana Ethiopia Eritrea Yemen Cameroon Côte d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of Congo Morocco Nigeria Somalia Syria Sudan Tanzania Uganda Travellers from these countries will not be granted visa-free access to Georgia based solely on holding a Gulf visa or permit, unless it is valid for at least one year. In the Reddit thread where Muhammad shared his experience, several others echoed similar incidents: 'This happened to my friend from India, he was sent back from the Georgia airport with absolutely no reason whatsoever. They are messed up racists!!' 'My cousins who live in Kuwait most of their life but are Indians were sent back without any reason. This is very normal with Georgia visa on arrival. They can reject anyone if they're not in the mood to give visa,' one commenter claimed. 'They target many Indians too... very risky to go to Georgia due to that reason, best to avoid it,' said another. Georgia denies easing entry and cautions against misreporting Georgia's government clarified that the amendment is designed to tighten existing immigration rules, and rejected claims that the changes simplify visa access. An official statement emphasized that misinterpretations circulating in media or on social platforms are false and do not reflect the content or intent of the changes. The new measures, Georgia says, are aimed at combating illegal migration and strengthening control over its borders.
