‘Treed Like Criminals’: UAE -based Pak man detained for 12 hours, despite UAE residence, world news refused to enter Georgia

Several UAE residents traveling to Georgia for Eid al -Adha holidays have been denied entry at the Kutasi International Airport under the new visa rules implemented by Georgia on 17 April 2025. Changes were introduced through amendment to the government resolution of June 5, 2015, and citizens of many countries were affected, even though they hold legitimate UAE residence permits. The update policy no longer allows visa-free access to some nationalities based on short-term Gulf visa or Residency permit. Passengers having several-entry GCC visas or residence permits with a validity of at least one year only at the time of admission can now enter Georgia without Georgia’s visa. Georgia continued to allow visa-free admission to the United Arab Emirates, and allowed UAE visas or residence permit holders to stay for 90 days, several persons in the subcontinent have been removed and detained with a valid UAE residence.

31 -year -old Pakistani national and senior product manager Muhammad, located in Abu Dhabi, flew to Kutasi with a friend on a visitor flight for the Eid holiday. Although they had UAE Residency, hotel booking, return tickets and insurance, they were stopped before immigration and refused to enter without clarification. One in Redit postMuhammad wrote:“We were excited for a small, peaceful holiday. But the moment we landed, things turned into a bad dream.” He explained that as soon as the immigration officials heard that they were Pakistani, they were pulled aside. “As soon as we landed, even before the immigration counter, he asked where we are from. We told them that we are residents of UAE and Pakistani citizens. , He said, “He listened to ‘Pakistan’ and a police person asked us to come in favor, took our passports, took our pictures in front of everyone, which was very abusive,” he claimed. “We had all the necessary documents, UAE Residency proof, hotel booking, return tickets and travel insurance. Some passengers were stopped before boarding, but we were approved to fly.” They told Khaleej Times After separation, Muhammad and his friend were described as a “gel -like room” for more than 12 hours, detained as food, clean water, or proper hygiene. He said, “We were detained for more than 12+ hours, which was jailed with food or appropriate water access. The bathroom was dirty,” he revealed. “When we asked why, he just said: We can’t tell you.” He said: “No reason. No evidence. No violation. Just a vague statement. We requested clarification, even politely asked for some justification. They continued to refuse and misbehave as we are some criminals.” He also claimed that the airport officials tried On trying to call the Pakistan Embassy, ​​he snatched his phone. “The officers were rude, racist and unjust, plain and simple,” he wrote. “We feel humiliated. We feel angry. We feel inhuman. And we will never forget this experience.” Muhammad said that the experience was not only about financial loss, even though he had already spent money on flights, hotel booking, insurance, car renting and other travel arrangements.“But this is nothing compared to mental crisis, anxiety and psychological damage we have experienced.”

Amended Admission Rules: One year minimum validity is now mandatory

Changes in Georgia’s visa policy now suggest that citizens of nominated countries having several-entry visas or residence permits from the GCC states will be allowed only a visa-free entry if their visa or permission is valid for at least one year on the date of entry. To prove this, passengers have to provide documentation. Previously, regulation did not specify the minimum validity period. Travel agents in the UAE confirmed that cases like Muhammad have come up since the new rules were effective. “What Georgia has now implemented is nothing new and many countries have been doing this for years. That is why Georgia is now tightening its safety measures, as people often do not have a proper journey program or they book tickets without answering all the necessary questions on the form.” Godley BabuBookutty, a travel agent in UAE, told Khaleej Times.He advised that passengers should ensure the booking of the hotel, the return of tickets, insurance, and fund proof is ready before flying, and added: “This is why it is always safe to book through travel agencies, which ensure that passengers have all the necessary documents before flying. We also urge our customers not to travel without insurance. ,

Growing complaints of affected nationalities and discrimination

The update visa policy particularly applies to citizens of the following countries:

Travelers of these countries will not be provided visa-free access to Georgia, which is only based on a Gulf visa or permit, unless it is valid for at least one year. In the Reddit Thread, where Muhammad shared his experience, many others echoed similar incidents: “This happened to my friend from India, he was sent back from Georgia Airport, in which there was no reason. They are messing up the racists !!” “My cousin who lives most of his life in Kuwait, but Indians were sent back without any reason. This is very common with Georgia visas on arrival. They can reject anyone if they are not in the mood to give a visa, ”a commentator claimed. “They also target many Indians … that is very risky to go to Georgia for that reason, it is best to avoid it,” another said.

Georgia refused to reduce entry and warned against misunderstanding

The Georgia government clarified that the amendment is designed to tighten the existing immigration rules, and claims have been dismissed that transformations simplify visa access. An official statement emphasizes that misinformation in media or on social platforms is false and does not reflect content or intentions of changes. New measures, Georgia, says, it aims to combat illegal stay and strengthen its borders.