Eid travel: Some UAE residents denied entry to Georgia amid stricter visa rules

Georgia has tightened visa regulations for specific nationalities, including residents of the UAE, as part of amendments officially introduced on April 17, 2025. The revised rules impact citizens of several countries, including Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, even if they hold valid visas or residence permits from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

- Ajanta Paul [e-mail]

The regulatory changes caught UAE resident Muhammad, a 31-year-old senior product manager, completely off guard when he and a friend landed at Kutaisi International Airport for the Eid Al Adha holidays. They had flown from Abu Dhabi on a Wizz Air flight.

“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,” said Muhammad, a Pakistani expat.

However, after landing, the situation changed. Before reaching immigration, they were asked for identification by a police officer.

“We were escorted aside, our passports were taken, and our photos were clicked in front of the other passengers,” Muhammad recalled. “We weren't given any explanation until a female officer handed us rejection-of-entry papers.”

Mohammad “felt insulted” by the handling of the entire situation where he and his companion were supposedly treated “like a criminal”.