My nightmare experience of applying for a German visa in Karachi

[Genghis khan1]

I failed to find anything nightmarish in the article. Stop whining !!

May that how people expects to be treated in BD but in Pakistan people do have some self respect.

 

[mdcp]

We could not appoint foreign minister in 3 and half years of govt so what result you can expect.

These embassies should behave or must be kicked out, if they dont givd us few hundred visas per annum we wont die

 

[Clutch]

I read this today and felt really sad for what the author (Dr. Umair) had to go through and just thought to share with you all at PDF to get some opinions on the ordeal. My question is can you justify this behavior of German Embassy? What are the possible solution to rectify such issues....

This is published in Dawn on 09/02/2016.

About the Author:
Dr Umair Ali Khan is working as an associate professor in the Department of Computer Systems Engineering at Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Nawabshah. He obtained his Masters and PhD degrees from Austria. His interests include research, writing on social issues and critical thinking.

I was recently awarded a fellowship by the European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics (ERCIM) in Germany. After receiving the necessary documentation from my host institution Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), I proceeded to apply for a German visa on Aug 26.

From the German consulate website, I learned that visa applications are entertained on a first-come, first-serve basis. This meant that I had to reach the consulate in Karachi well before its opening hours and get one of the limited tokens they issue every morning.

No reward for the early bird
A day earlier, I travelled to Karachi from Nawabshah with my wife and two children. The next day, I arrived at the consulate at 5am (three hours before opening time), confident that I would be the first one to get a token.

Much to my dismay, there were several applicants who had arrived much earlier. Nonetheless, I succeeded in getting a token for myself.

Most consulates and embassies in Pakistan have no waiting rooms or seating arrangements for applicants. One has to stand in a huddle in an area barely measuring a few square metres, all the while being treated disparagingly.

The long wait
During the two-and-a-half-hour wait, two out of a dozen security guards kept pointing their guns at us. It reminded me of the movie "World War Z", where zombies are separated from humans and confined to a zombie land.

My children were busy playing during the long wait. Every time, they came close to the security bar, the guards glared at me to rein them in.

In that time, two stray dogs comfortably crossed the barricade and were readily welcomed by the security men. One of the guards gave the dogs food to eat, and then let them rest near the security picket. They were definitely treated better than us.

Five minutes before its opening time, the consulate's staff members began to emerge in big vehicles. The guards yelled at us to stand against the walls to make way for them. Security was on high alert and guns were pulled out.

Oblivious to everything, my kids continued to play. One guard shouted at me to hold on to them, lest they hinder the movement of the staffers. I felt like my family and I were standing outside an embassy in Baghdad under an imminent threat.

Take a look: No Schengen visa for me: A Pakistani scientist's dilemma

The staffers passed by us in their cars, giving us disdainful looks. They did not look like the same considerate Germans I had lived with during my five-year stay in Europe. Their looks made us feel like we are an inferior rabble, although they did smile at the stray dogs with affection.

When they entered the consulate, we were ordered to form a queue in front of the security bar. A tall, well-built German security guard, who appeared by his demeanour to be superior to the others, came out of nowhere and gave out instructions.

Under the supervision of the German security guard, we were allowed to cross the security bar one by one. During the frisking, I was ordered to make an awkward pose with my legs wide open.

Soon I was cleared, and asked to wait for one more hour till the visa office opened.

The much-awaited application window
Finally we were called in but not before another security check where all our belongings were taken, leaving us with only our application documents. At the security check, I saw a bearded man’s photograph affixed on the wall with the word “Terrorist” written in large font, and a warning which I wasn't able to make out.

After making my way to the visa counter, I handed over my application to a lady receptionist behind a glass window, who was speaking into a microphone.

Before taking my documents, she told me curtly that if my children made any noise, they would be sent out with my wife. I was stung by the tone and wanted to retort that I didn't have control over a 1.5 year-old child but held myself back.

A few minutes later, I found out that my family's application could not be entertained with mine, and that they would have to apply after I reached Germany.

See: The irony of having an 'iron brother' — My failed quest for a Chinese visa

Devastated, I requested to meet with a senior visa officer. The officer's behaviour turned out to be just as disparaging as that shown by the rest of the staff, despite the fact that I was carrying host letters from renowned research institutes in Europe and was applying for a visa solely for research purpose.

I asked him why my case was being handled differently given that many research fellows in Pakistan have been granted family visas for Germany.

He replied with a frown:

"I don’t care if someone has been granted a family visa and I don’t want to confirm either. Do as I say if you want to get a visa or leave."
He left angrily, murmuring something.

Left with no option, I surrendered and gave my application. My family can only apply for a visa after I reach Germany. My wife will have to travel alone with two young children all the way from Nawabshah to Erlangen.

My experience was unpleasant to say the least. Granted that there are many applicants who provide wrong information, forge documents and swindle but that does not justify the dismissive and arrogant attitude of the German consular staff in Karachi.

They more desperate you look the worse they (or anyone else) would treat you.

 

[Adecypher]

I failed to find anything nightmarish in the article. Stop whining !!

Nobody is whining dear, for you it might be "business as usual"; but there is something we call "dignity and respect" and everyone has a right to be treated with respect.

 

[911]

Arrogance and racism at its best.

 

[Indika]

Bhai there is need to expose such incidents; yes sending complaints to the concerned authorities might have worked but the author's intention was to bring into lime-light the sad state of affairs met by Pakistanis at the embassy.



Yes it is sad indeed; but I think this is not much of a class issue rather a "perception" issue...moreover Pakistanis find themselves in a vacuum...since our Govt. is seldom come to rescue.

True , host country should take up the matter. Any embassy treating citizens badly should be given marching orders. But are the countries in subcontinent in such a position? ppl in sub continent simply lack self respect at the best they squabble among themselves.
Other than few of the embassy staff who are polite , rest of the behave like gods. Irony is that supporting staff who are locals are worse than phorenwala's in dealing with natives.

 

[fallstuff]

May that how people expects to be treated in BD but in Pakistan people do have some self respect.

That was funny, however couldn't laugh. As you can see, its same all over. Perhaps his Highness is not used to wait in line out in the open, he also needs to improve his parenting skills.

He is commenting on how his Visa is being processed, complaining how some other folks got the family visa on the first visit. Dude, that's how the Germans process Visa requests, comprende ?

He is whining like a 10 year old boy. He needs to grow up really fast as he has kids of his own now !!!

 

[X-2.]

BTW embassies are run by Real Germans. Infact embassies are staffed and look after by top class govt employees with high level clearances. Every country FO employees are slected after rigorous hiring process and years of experience in home country.

I think the front staff is Pakistani as on other embassies too

It's really shocking...French embassy has Pakistani staff but they were co op on my last visit

 

[The Sandman]

When our own Gov's in S.Asia don't give an F for a common man why you think others will give you respect? what our gov is gonna do or have done about this or hundreds of other cases like this? nothing as usual so people move on.

 

[marbella]

Most of the time its locals working in embassies. Chai say ziada...

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

I live in uk but i say it loudly that abroad is for losers . If you cannot compete with local talent then you try to find escape. I have class mates who are earning better than me in Pakistan because they worked hard and were more talented than me and they are also enjoying great social life beside more pay. I really feel sad for those talented and educated people who try to leave Pakistan in hope of better future abroad which rarely happen as even many educated people here are doing ordinary low paid job with no hope of any progress and advancement. You earn in pounds/dollars and spend in pound/dollars so you are just like thsoe mazdoor in Pakistan who spend all they earn but thoss mazdoot will be still more happy than you because their social life is better than you. sadly people realize this fact after wasting 10/15 year abroad

 

[war&peace]

I failed to find anything nightmarish in the article. Stop whining !!

oh.. I see..you need to use spectacles. Without them it is a lost cause.

 

[fallstuff]

Nobody is whining dear, for you it might be "business as usual"; but there is something we call "dignity and respect" and everyone has a right to be treated with respect.

How do you deal with hundreds of people showing up for Visa requests ? It would probably be somewhat same if tables were turned.

 

[Usman Saghir]

Don't forget that you are a third world country's citizen.

 

[livingdead]

self-delete