When things go wrong......
 

When things go wrong…..

Here’s a little story from the real life:
Entering Namibia 27th of March 2013 in Walvis Bay, to pick up my 4X4 that’s being shipped in.
Filling out the immigration card in the airport, asking for the allowed 90 days in the country.
No visa needed, as I’m on a European passport. Immigration officer stamps my passport and writes something on the stamp.
When he’s handing the passport back, I’m asking how long I can stay. Up to 90 day’s sir, is the answer.
I put the passport in my bag, WITHOUT CHECKING THE STAMP…….
I collect my truck, and spend some time touring around, not leaving Namibia.

The 11th of May I’m back in the airport, to fly back to France. My bag is checked in, and I’m given a boarding pass.
Then the fellow at the airline desk checks my passport, and informs me that I have overstayed my time in the country.
WHAT?? Yes, the immigration officer that stamped my passport, wrote down that I was allowed until the 20th of April (my birthday ???).
Long story, but I got arrested in the airport, taken to a holding cell in Walvis Bay, and spend 3 days there before appearing for the court.
Was fined 1000 NAM dollars, and given 48 hours to leave the country.
Back to the airport and on the plane to Johannesburg the next day.

Goes to show how quickly one’s life can change.
I can recommend to check passport stamps…………………………..
My truck is still in Namibia. I will try and re-enter in August.

Cheers, Ib.

Poor you...hope you had a great holiday even though. This is definitely worth starting three threads ;)

when things go wrong ...
 

Hello VikingOnTour,

thank you for posting your story here, hard to believe that they put you to jail for three days just for overstaying. But the world is more and more a police state and I am not surprised to read what happened to you.

Also in South America (where I spend most of my time) they come up with more ridiculous fines and rules by the day. But in a way they just follow what happens in the US and Europe.

One more thing learned out of your story, yes always check the stamps and dates for your bike permit and for your visa. In South America it is a scam now, that they give you only 30 days on entry, even you are entitled to 90 days and you apply for 90 days on the form, and then they can fine you if you overstay your 30 days.

If you can or if it is not that expensive and complicated, enter Namibia with a new passport when you go back in August.

Greetings and good luck from Switzerland
mika

I read a related story on LP where a French couple sent their passports off together for 180 day Indian visas, they gave the same answers to the same questions and their passports came and went in the same envelope, they checked one of the passports on getting them back and all was well.
The visas start on day of issue and they left for a 90 day stay 30 days after issue but upon arrival in Delhi the chap was deported straight away, he had only been given 90 days and his return ticket was for after that, they would not let him stay and re-book his return.
It pays to check but I must confess to not always doing so.

Good luck with your re-entry