UAE expats, not Emiratis, denied entry at Georgia’s airports – ministry

UAE nationals are not being “mistreated” and have not been turned away from Georgia’s airports, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has stated.

The remarks come after the ministry investigated reports on social media that claimed that a number of Emiratis had been ‘ill-treated’ at Georgia airports or forced to return back home.

The ministry said some of those denied entry into Georgia were foreign nationals residing in the UAE and were accompanying Emiratis, official news agency WAM reported.

It urged UAE residents to verify the validity of their visas and identity papers before travelling to Georgia or other countries.

It also stressed that people must source information from the ministry’s website or its social media outlets and not circulate information from unknown sources.

The ministry called for Emiratis travelling abroad to read the guidelines, advisories and any updates issued by the ministry before and during their travel.

It also urged them to register themselves and their families in the Twajudi service, which will enable the ministry and the country’s missions abroad to communicate with them in case of any emergency and provide help for them. Citizens who face any emergency case can contact the UAE missions abroad or call the toll free line 0097180044444 for countries where the UAE has no diplomatic missions.

Both UAE citizens and residents with a valid residency visa can visit Georgia for 90 days in any 180-day period without any prior documentation.

The country has become a popular summer travel destination from the UAE due to the relatively short flight time of under four hours and attractive historical sites and countryside.

Read: Travel review: Inside gorgeous Georgia

Direct flights are available from Dubai to the Georgian capital Tbilisi and coastal city Batumi.