Heavy rain at midnight of 26th September, 2015 while going to the Bangalore airport was confusing me whether it was for- Sunny, you're leaving me for few days so I'm unable to hold my tears or it was for- Come Sunny, get drenched into my tears and enjoy your night.
The journey began with all excitement which didn't last long. The reason being some visa issue and I was not able to prove the Airlines and Qatar Immigration security that I am ME even after having all proper documents and myself (the complete body) as a proof. Hilarious!
The short conversation was with the Airport staff was like:
She: Sir, we need to offload you.
Me: Here is my check-in bag (I heard onboard)
She: No Sir, we need to offload you.
Me: Why?
She: In your visa Father's middle name is missing.
Me: I have my passport and all other documents proving that is ME. Even visa has my passport number. They made visa based on my passport.
She: Immigration is not accepting (though it's their mistake). You need to deboard.My colleague will show you the way to outside airport (disheartening)
That was the start of my trip. Since, it was night time, nobody was there to help in this regard so I returned back home. Next two days was more of exchanging 100's of mails, calls to hotel, office and rescheduling my trip to 28th September, 2015.
So, after 100's of mails, calls, continuous 2 days effort, getting famous at Bangalore airport, Qatar airport, immigration department, Marriott Hotel, having multiple checks, finally my first international trip got green signal.
I felt I'm still not through until I passed Qatar immigration the next morning. All I was asked there was: What's your name? I was like please do ask some more questions as I have faced lots of difficulty. :D
Moving further, I got a warm welcome by Hotel guys. Receptionist already knew me by then as I had faced lot of problems in last two days and was offered an amazing room at 31st floor.
The view inside and outside room of Marriott:
My work started in next 20 min after I reached. I met amazing people over there. Since this was my first business trip, I was very much excited about new place and people.
The devices in lab were huge than I expected and the feeling of working from lab was superb. The workplace and devices on which I worked looked something like this:
One fine evening, I got an opportunity to visit the Souq Waqif with my friends in Doha, Qatar.
The view over there was amazing. The place looked traditional and I could see the culture in it's beauty.
The journey began with all excitement which didn't last long. The reason being some visa issue and I was not able to prove the Airlines and Qatar Immigration security that I am ME even after having all proper documents and myself (the complete body) as a proof. Hilarious!
The short conversation was with the Airport staff was like:
She: Sir, we need to offload you.
Me: Here is my check-in bag (I heard onboard)
She: No Sir, we need to offload you.
Me: Why?
She: In your visa Father's middle name is missing.
Me: I have my passport and all other documents proving that is ME. Even visa has my passport number. They made visa based on my passport.
She: Immigration is not accepting (though it's their mistake). You need to deboard.My colleague will show you the way to outside airport (disheartening)
That was the start of my trip. Since, it was night time, nobody was there to help in this regard so I returned back home. Next two days was more of exchanging 100's of mails, calls to hotel, office and rescheduling my trip to 28th September, 2015.
So, after 100's of mails, calls, continuous 2 days effort, getting famous at Bangalore airport, Qatar airport, immigration department, Marriott Hotel, having multiple checks, finally my first international trip got green signal.
I felt I'm still not through until I passed Qatar immigration the next morning. All I was asked there was: What's your name? I was like please do ask some more questions as I have faced lots of difficulty. :D
Moving further, I got a warm welcome by Hotel guys. Receptionist already knew me by then as I had faced lot of problems in last two days and was offered an amazing room at 31st floor.
The view inside and outside room of Marriott:
My work started in next 20 min after I reached. I met amazing people over there. Since this was my first business trip, I was very much excited about new place and people.
The devices in lab were huge than I expected and the feeling of working from lab was superb. The workplace and devices on which I worked looked something like this:
One fine evening, I got an opportunity to visit the Souq Waqif with my friends in Doha, Qatar.
The view over there was amazing. The place looked traditional and I could see the culture in it's beauty.
Wonderful friends over there made my stay more interesting. Thanks to these amazing guys for dinner and the wonderful evening we had together. Someone known at unknown place gives a special feeling.
The short business trip was successful and I loved the expression of client and nurse in the lab when everything worked as expected. When the nurse saw end result- She exclaimed with excitement- It's all working good. So soon! Thank you! (the best part of my trip). I never knew my work can make so much difference.
Of-course, there were challenges in getting things done at the right time but where there is will, there is a way. I'm thankful to everyone involved in my short roller coaster ride.
And I'm looking forward to many more wonderful personal/professional trips with a twist as it happened this time so that I can share this to my coming generation :P
A well written experience.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has faced a problem exactly same as yours. He was not allowed to board the plane for Qatar because his father's middle name was missing in the business visa.
Could you be kind enough to let me know what all you did in those next two days.What measures did you take to rectify the whole thing.
Thanks
I got a letter from Qatar immigration for clearance and went on same visa. The problem was with limitation of words on visa to a maximum of 5 words. If it exceeds, they eliminate some name part.
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