8 hours ago
I was KICKED OUT of Dubai and had my £3,000 glam holiday ruined over my face tattoos – despite being allowed in before
A HEAVILY-inked Brit has vowed to never return to Dubai after claiming he got kicked out for plastering his face in tattoos.
Jordan Howman, 34, said he had his passport confiscated and was held by airport workers for six hours before being given the boot - ruining his £3,000 holiday.
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The plasterer, from Crewe, Cheshire, covered his face in tattoos of geometric cubes and words including "blessed" and "crazy life" almost a decade ago.
Jordan said his ink addiction hadn't caused him any issues during his previous two trips to his "favourite country in the world", the UAE.
The dad told The Sun: "My missus has been crying her eyes out.
"It has absolutely devastated me. I feel like I've been massively discriminated against.
'There's no law against face tattoos - there's nothing like that.
"I'm a lovely lad, I get on with anyone. It's made me feel absolutely rubbish. I'm not allowed in a country because of the way I look. It's properly, massively affected me.
'It was my favourite country, but this has absolutely ruined it. Now I'll never go again. I've lost all of my money because of a pattern on my face.'
Jordan landed at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday for a dream week-long holiday with his fiancée Theresa, 38, and daughter Kaic, 16.
But he said as he ventured through passport control he was pulled to one side.
After taking Jordan aside, the worker asked if he'd had his passport stamped before taking it from him.
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'Then he snatched my passport out of my hand," Jordan said.
"There had been nowhere to stamp it - we'd used the electronic gates. It was just an excuse to get the passport out of my hand.'
After being held in a waiting room for more than four hours, Jordan was transferred to immigration at around midday, he said.
By this time, his family had reached their five-star Anantara hotel.
He called his partner and she got a taxi to the airport - but Jordan said airport staff refused to let her go to him and so she got a cab back, costing a total of £250.
Jordan said he was "terrified" as he was not given his passport back for some time.
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'A woman came and took me upstairs to immigration, where they said: 'He's not coming in because of his face tattoos - you're not coming in because of the way you look'," he claimed.
'One of the staff behind the desk said a more senior immigration officer made the decision, saying I was not to enter Dubai and that I must leave the country immediately.'
At 2.30pm - six hours after arriving - Jordan was put on another Emirates flight heading back to the UK.
'They sent me on a flight back to Manchester," he said.
"It was only when I landed that I got my passport back.
"Friday morning was the first time I got to see my daughter, over Facetime.'
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai have been approached for comment.
Dubai Airports was also contacted for a response.
Dubai's tourist laws
LAWS for tourists in Dubai are largely centred around respect for local customs and traditions.
Swearing, loud music and public displays of affection are banned.
Tourists must also observe Ramadan rules by refraining from eating or drinking publicly during fasting hours.
Holidaymakers must also be careful when taking photos of individuals or sensitive sites.
Visa regulations require a valid passport with six months minimum before it expires.
Tourists must also have a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds.
Overstaying your visa can lead to fines or deportation.
Drinking alcohol is restricted in licensed venues and public intoxication is illegal.
Dubai has strict drug laws, and certain medications require prior approval from UAE authorities.
Unmarried couples sharing a room may face restrictions, although enforcement is relaxed in private hotels.
Public indecency, such as inappropriate behaviour or clothing, is punishable.
