A boarder at the border?

The guidebook had the usual disclaimers–regulations change frequently, check with the government of Oman just prior to leaving, non-GCC residents are only allowed to enter on certain roads, your mileage may vary, etc.

Having lived in the region for a short time, it was no surprise to be charged money to leave the UAE. The exit fee coupled with correct change only requirement may have been keyed to the need to obtain extra funds for the family’s holiday cheer. Entering Oman, the same correct change only policy to purchase visas was accomplished by waiting for some other visa purchasers paying in correct change which could be given out as my change. Visas granted with efficiency and courtesy, we proceeded onward into the mountains of northern Oman to view the stunning sea and landscapes.

To say it was beautiful would be an understatement in describing the views in the Strait of Hormuz. This was only a reconnaissance trip to plan future fun and frolic, so we soon found ourselves back at the Oman border ready to leave the country again.

Not so fast said the border guard after thumbing through the passports. She has an Oman visa and is o.k. to leave the country but you, sir, don’t have an Oman visa. Obviously caught in a catch-22 situation where it is illegal to be in the country without visa but also in the absence of Omani laws covering the deportation of UAE residents who did not have Oman visas it appeared we had reached a stalemate. Fortunately, the bureaucrat who had signed her Oman visa was still on duty and was convinced to stamp my visa belatedly and I was allowed to leave the country and thus avoided becoming a reluctant boarder at the border.

Entry back into UAE was uneventful with the exception that persons entering the northern emirate of UAE are only given 30 day visas instead of the 60 day visas given in Dubai! As a result, she “lost” 30 days permitted stay; however, with her departure well within a 30 day period another border run will not be necessary.

The moral – just because they take your money doesn’t mean they stamped your passport!