Unsuccessful Attempt at Crossing the UAE-Oman Border
Today was supposed to be our third visit to the neighboring country, Oman, but we were denied entrance.
The picture above was taken shortly before we reached the UAE-Oman border. The weather is lovely. You can tell it’s winter when the breeze is cool, the skies filled with thick clouds, and the locals having tea under the trees.
So what exactly happened?
My brother-in-law is down with flu, plus his UAE visa has expired so his passport is not with him. His wife was reluctant to leave him behind, but we forced her to come with us, tempting her with promises of breath-taking scenery and watching the dolphins swim as we sail in a traditional dhow.
The UAE side of the border had no issues putting an exit stamp on her passport. They even charge you for exiting the country, which we’ve always found rather strange. We then drove across the border, which is delineated by barbed-wire fences.
The Omani immigration, however, looked at her UAE visa and enquired about the husband, who is her sponsor. They said that according to their law, a UAE-resident whose visa is sponsored by his or her family member—a parent, sibling, child, or spouse—can not be granted visa-on-arrival to Oman unless that sponsor is traveling as well.
All our efforts to convince them to grant her visa did not work, so we headed back to the UAE border and had entry stamped in our passports.
This was my life’s shortest travel abroad. I exited and entered the country within 20 minutes.
And took a single photograph.
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lol…”And took a single photograph” is really a surprise 🙂
I know, right? I should’ve taken pictures of those mountain goats, but then I was highly disappointed by how things were turning out. Next time, inshaAllah 🙂
These things depend on the whim of these officers. Sometimes they are by the book, sometimes they don’t care at all and stamp a visa for anyone.
Oman is indeed beautiful.
Well, yes, considering how laws in this part of the world are implemented and then changed practically every day, you have a point.
I love Oman! It’s a wonderful weekend getaway for us living here.
It is still a lovely photo!
Aww, thank you so much, ‘liya!
Yes Bhabhi, never expected that we have to come back from UAE-Oman border in this way. But In shaa Allah next time we’ll not miss it and you can take lot of pictures soon 🙂
Insha Allah 🙂
hello, Nadia dear…
hey, i know it’s a regular day and night over there but it’s Vhristmas time over here so, am dropping by to give you a merry greeting. have a blast December and enjoy the coolness of the season in the desert. hugs! 🙂
Thank you so, ‘San. We are having a lovely 19-20 C and enjoying every bit of it. Have fun on the holidays!
oh, the holidays are over. but it’s weekend already, haha. ‘lam mo, di malamig ang December sa MM. but sa province, it’s cold and windy. happy new year! 🙂
Do I smell mountains and goats ? I mean, you could photograph them at least 🙂
Given the “No Photography” sign practically everywhere and the strict laws of the land, I was scared to even take out my cellphone from the bag.
Haha!
It is sad that in these parts laws are implemented on a person by person basis. Some people are lucky, others unlucky. Happens here all the time.
Why does her sponsor have to be travelling with her? Do they mean she needs a male mihrim to travel with her, or just the sponsor in case she thinks of fleeing the country without him? 😀
Londoneya, it’s not about needing a male mihrim (although that was what we initially assumed). They just require the sponsor to accompany them. I suppose this is the case because they give us visa-on-arrival. Because they said she can travel without her husband if she applies for visa from the Omani consulate in the UAE.
Hi Nadia,
I used to drive to Oman border (Dibba side) too. It used to be hassle free but my last visit in October 2012, we were stopped twice by the police.
First, it was in the border. They asked us for our destination. When I mentioned Zighy Bay, they asked for the hotel reservation.
Second, as we were approaching the arrival area of Zighy Bay, they stopped us again, searched our car and asked for car insurance for Oman (I was driving UAE registered car with insurance valid only in UAE).
After that, I didn’t drive again to Oman border.
Hi Nadia,
Sorry about your 20 mins trip to oman, but I’m sure there must be a very strong reason why you were not able to enter the country, never mind, better luck next time.
Interesting – I’ve often crossed the border at Al Ain (Hili/wadi Al Jizzi and Mezyad/Hafeet) and had no problems. What is the nationality of your friend and her husband?
I don’t think it’s the nationality, Marina. The law is apparently applicable to Muslim women only.