Dubai Adventures: A Passport Puzzle! (Experience Sharing for Dual Passport Holders)
Even though Dubai isn't in Europe, I wanted to share this travel tip as it might be useful for your international escapades!
My Dubai Dilemma: Twice the Passport, Twice the Trouble?
Let me tell you about my recent experiences entering and leaving Dubai with two passports!
- December 2022: I entered Dubai using my Vietnamese passport. Since I was traveling with a Vietnamese tour group, they arranged the visa. I technically didn't need one as I also have a French passport, but I decided to "go with the flow" to make things easier for the group. The trip was completely smooth!
- End of May 2023: I entered Dubai using my French passport, visa-free! That's when the fun began! 🤣
Flying from Paris, I arrived in Dubai around midnight. Attempting to use the automatic eye-scan immigration system, I was rejected repeatedly. Every time the visa check happened, the eye scan would fail. After several attempts, I was directed to the handsome immigration officers. One took a good look at my passport and disappeared with it! After a long wait with no updates, I cautiously inquired about the problem. He remained tight-lipped (classic!).
👩🏻Me: "Why was I able to enter normally in December 2022, but not this time?"
👨🏻Him: "That's your problem." (Still being mysterious, refusing to elaborate!)
👩🏻Me: "I don't see any problem! Why is it okay one time and not the other?"
Silence.
I was incredibly tired, and had a full day of work ahead of me. I was basically forced to... be resourceful! 🤪
👩🏻Me: "Last time, I entered with my Vietnamese passport. Why is my French passport causing an issue now?"
👨🏻Him: "Where's your Vietnamese passport?"
👩🏻Me: "I'm using my French passport, which doesn't require a visa. Why would I bring my Vietnamese passport?!"
Finally, he explained that the system showed two LTTs (my initials!) with identical details, causing the system to flag me as suspicious! They were waiting for me to volunteer information to see if it matched!
But the story doesn't end there! When checking out of Dubai, I faced a similar problem... three times! It happened right up to the boarding gate for my flight back to France!
Haizzaaaa, too modern, too complicated! 😫
Important Tip for Dual Passport Holders Traveling to Dubai!
Remember to bring any previously used passports with you when entering Dubai! It might save you some serious hassle!
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