‘Treated like criminals’: UAE-based Pak man detained 12 hours, denied entry to Georgia despite UAE residency

AI generates images for use in picture and creative projects

Some UAE people who are visiting Georgia for the Eid Al Adha vacations have been denied access to the Kutaisi International Airport as a result of new visa requirements that Georgia implemented on April 17, 2025. The changes were made through a change to the federal resolution of June 5, 2015, and they have an impact on people from many nations, even if they have appropriate UAE residence permits. Certain cultures no longer are permitted to enter the country on the grounds of temporary Gulf visa or residency permits. Travelers who have multiple GCC permits or home permits in Georgia who have valid for at least one year at the time of entry are now able to provide Georgia without a Greek visa. Numerous people from the continent who have true UAE citizenship have reported being turned down and detained despite Georgia continuing to grant citizens of the United Arab Emirates visa-free entry and allowing them to stay there for up to 90 days.

Muhammad, a 31-year-old Muslim regional and older product manager with an Abu Dhabi base, flew to Kutaisi on a Wizz Air journey for Eid vacations with a friend. Although they were granted access without explanation and were stopped before immigration, they were given the UAE residency, hotel reservations, gain tickets, and insurance. We were excited for a brief, relaxing holiday, Muhammad wrote in a Reddit article. But things changed from the moment we arrived to the dream.” He explained that they were removed as soon as multiculturalism officers learned they were Pakistanis. Even before the emigration shop, they inquired where we were from as soon as we landed. We explained to them that we are citizens of the UAE and Pakistan. They heard” Pakistan,” and a police officer approached us, took our passports, and took our photos in front of everyone, which he claimed was very humiliating. We had all the necessary paperwork, including a proof of residency in the UAE, hotel reservations, gain reservations, and travel insurance. Some people had to wait before board, but we were given the all-clear. Muhammad and his companion were detained for more than 12 days in what he called a “prison-like room,” according to him, without food, clear water, or proper sanitation after being escorted away. We were locked up in a prison-like area for more than 12 hours, given no food or drinking water. He revealed that the bath was filthy. When we inquired as to why, they just responded,” We cannot show you.” He continued,” No purpose. No evidence. No infringement Only a hazy speech. We asked for clarification and perhaps respectfully asked for some explanation. They continued to behave and refuse to cooperate like we are some thieves. He also claimed that when he attempted to call the Pakistan Embassy, aircraft security tried to intercept his cellphone. The soldiers were “pure, prejudiced, and unfair, plain and simple,” he wrote. We feel detested. We’re furious. We experience humanized suffering. And we’ll not overlook it. Even though he had now spent money on flights, hotel reservations, plan, rental cars, and other travel arrangements, Muhammad claimed that the knowledge wasn’t really about economic damage. That is insignificant in comparison to the psychological harm, anxiety, and mental distress we experienced.

Revised entry requirements: One-year minimum validity is now required

Citizens from designated countries who have multiple-entry visas or residence permits from GCC states will now be able to enter without a visa if their visa or permit is valid for at least one year as of the date of entry, according to the changes to Georgia’s visa policy. Travelers must provide proof of this with documentation. Prior to now, the regulation did not have a minimum validity period. Travel agents in the UAE confirmed that incidents like Muhammad’s have occurred since the new regulations became law. ” What Georgia has implemented right now is nothing new, and many nations have done it for a long time. People would frequently not have a proper itinerary or would book tickets without answering all the required questions on the form, which is the reason Georgia is now tightening its security measures. A travel agent in the UAE, Godly Babukutty, reported to the Khaleej Times. He advised travelers to check that hotel reservations, return tickets, insurance, and proof of funds are all ready before flying, and that this is because it is always safer to book through travel agencies to make sure travelers have all the necessary paperwork. We also advise our customers to “never travel without insurance”.”

Increasing complaints of discrimination and affected nationalities

The updated visa law specifically applies to citizens of the following nations:

Travelers from these nations will not be permitted to enter Georgia on the grounds that they only need to have a Gulf visa or permit for at least a year. Several others echoed similar events in the Reddit thread where Muhammad shared his experience, saying,” This happened to my friend from India, he was sent back from the Georgia airport without absolutely no reason whatsoever. They are messed up racists, they say! My cousins, who mostly live in Kuwait but are Indians, were sent back without explanation. This is typical when bringing a Georgia visa with you. They can reject anyone if they aren’t willing to grant visas, a commenter claimed. They “target many Indians too,” one source said, “very risky to go to Georgia due to that reason, and best to avoid it.”

Georgia says it won’t be able to enter without a libel and warns against falsely reporting.

The government of Georgia refuted claims that the amendment would tighten current immigration regulations and that it would make it easier to obtain visas. Misinterpretations that are being made in the media or on social media do not accurately reflect the changes ‘ intentions or content, according to an official statement. According to Georgia, the new measures are intended to combat illegal immigration and strengthen border control.

Source credit