UAE | General
Kish ordeal: Expect the unexpected
Gulf News reporter's first-hand account of their brush with authority in Kish.
- By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
- Published: 12:38 October 28, 2008
- UAE visa applicants arriving in Kish. Recruiters expect that people will stop coming on tourist visas to search for jobs.
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
We were totally unprepared for what happened next after an interesting tour of the historical sites of this free zone.
The representative from the Ministry of International Affairs said an immigration officer would like to meet us.
"This is where the visitors come to extend their stay on the island," she said, as we waited in the lobby of the building. Visitors to Kish are given a 14-day free visa on arrival.
Video: Click here to watch visa-runners stranded in Kish
After that period you pay Dh80 for an extension which can be up from one month to three months, at the discretion of the immigration office.The officer wore a green uniform and had the words 'Police' embossed on his sleeve. He had four stars on his shoulder. He got up from his chair, came across and shook hands with us.
Outside his office there was a sign that said: "Welcome to the beautiful, visa-free Kish Island". What caught my eye was this sentence: "On your arrival, the officer of Foreign Nationals Affairs Management Department of Disciplinary Force, will stamp entry on your passport..."
The immigration officer got into an intense conversation with the representative from the Ministry of International Affairs, who was translating for us.
After some time she asked us: "Have you taken any pictures?"
I said, "Yes, just with our mobile phones."
"Rizwan would like to know how you came here without any coordination with the Ministry of Culture?"
Ashraf Helmi, Web Video Editor, said we had come in as tourists and when we saw the people who were stranded because of visa issues, we decided to do a story. "You need to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture before you come here and write anything," she replied.
"How can we get such a permission," I asked.
"Where are your passports? Rizwan will show you how to coordinate," she said.
Then suddenly, it was all smiles and chocolates on his table were passed around.
We were taken to a restaurant designed like a cave and fed a sumptuous lunch.
Then just as we thought everything was sorted out, we were again taken back to the immigration office. This time we were made to wait outside.
After some time the officer asked Senior Photographer, Hadrian Hernandez, to show him the pictures. He was told the pictures had been erased.
We were told to get our passports from the hotel, but when we went there the receptionist said the police had already taken our passports.
When we went back we were told to sign a declaration that we will not use the pictures or write anything before we first get permission. I asked for a copy of the declaration, but was refused.
The plane was supposed to take off in 20 minutes, so we quickly signed the declaration which was written on a scrap of paper in English.
We were then given our passports and escorted to the airport.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Agencies know the rules, but don't tell
Agencies know the rules, but don't tell visa seekers going to Kish
-
Getting people to fill jobs has become very difficult - recruiter
Getting people to fill jobs has become very difficult - recruiter
-
In depth: Desperate on Kish Island
Desperate expat job seekers stranded on Iran's Kish Island
-
Struggle to sponsor carer for expatriate
Struggle to sponsor carer for expatriate in coma
-
Stranded 'Kabayans' send out appeal
Stranded 'Kabayans' send out appeal
-
She is the friendly face people turn to when in distress
She is the friendly face people turn to when in distress
-
Visa-runners head to Kish in their thousands
GNTV visits Kish to probe problem of stranded visa-runners
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Safe ways of handling medical waste discussed
- Emirati students to be chosen for German internship
- Public urged to ensure food safety
- Residency section clears 6,000 cases
- Residents opt for other gifts as gold soars
- UAE residents spend hours trying to cross into Oman
- Traditional theme at Etihad celebrations
- Dubai in for breezy conditions
- The true meaning of festival of sacrifice
- Maguindanao massacre victims remembered
- School buses must do safe drop-offs
- Rulers exchange Eid greetings
- Plan to make you reach for the book
- The last strand could count in time
- Mohammad endorses Watani campaign
Community Reports
-
School buses must do safe drop-offs
Some bus drivers let students off at the wrong side of the road
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
