I was reading this article published in Saudi Gazette, and it came true to my case after 10 years.
I am an Indian and I am a Ph.D. student in mathematics, I had 1 month Italy Schengen Visa (28th April to 16th May, 2023). I was about to give a research speech in Rome. I arrived at Riyadh Airport (King Khalid Airport) on May 1, 2023, through "Air India" airline. I was supposed to transit from Riyadh Airport to Rome through "Wizz Air" airline.
When I arrived at Riyadh airport on late May 1, they said:
Why didn't you use your Italy visa in the last 3 days (i.e., 28 April, 29 April, 30 April)?
I was surprised by the question. I told them I am coming from India and going to Italy, and once I will enter Italy will use my Italy Visa. But those people in the Visa+plus immigration section understand little English. They use little English and more Arabic. The following happened one by one-
their behavior is very rude, don't know the manner
they asked me to book for deport flight and I said them I am booking my flight.
they took my passport and coming boarding pass
I finally booked my flight ticket (for deportation) at my own cost and told them I booked my ticket. They didn't respond much and said to sit down.
then happened very bad thing. one immigration officer came to pick up an (unknown) bag where I was sitting outside the immigration office. He was telling in Arabic and I couldn't understand anything but his fingers were gesturing toward the bag and his language was very rough, he was literally forcing me to pick up the bag. After hesitation, I picked up the bag and followed him, he took me to a gate and opened the room and then very ill-manner way gestured me to enter the room with an (unknown) bag and then locked me in that room (no window, no food, no water, only one dirty washroom, of course, AC was there). -After entering the room, I saw other 8 passengers sitting/lying down there. And I discovered that I picked up that bag one of them already in the room. I was very irritated with how these immigration people are treating passengers, they are forced to carry others' bags. It is very illegal behavior.
this was my 1st experience in my 31 years life span. My heart was nervous because it was a closed room with no window (worse than prison). You can not call them from that room. Only you can knock on the door from inside. After 1 hour someone came to take another 1 person for boarding. I said I booked my flight and boarding will start in 3 hours, let me sit outside. They said roughly that we will come when your boarding time will start. They didn't supply food or water.
finally, one officer came and took me to the immigration office and one officer took me to the boarding gate I boarded a return flight via Abu Dhabi Airport (UAE).
This is the story. It was a horrible experience, they were treating us like criminals for irrelevant reasons. To my opinion, they are very ill-mannered, not professional. These immigration officers need proper training and English-speaking skills to communicate with international passengers. Their administration should look into it.
At the cost, I missed my research conference in Rome. My question-
Why they locked passengers with (similar situations) into the closed room? After all, it is the airport, full of security, where we can go out? I had an experience with the Dubai Airport (UAE) immigration office, and they treated me (and all others) very well, provided food, and solved my issue in 2022. In that respect, Riyadh Airport staff has a very lack of professionalism and training.
How can I share my feedback regarding the immigration staff of Riyadh Airport with their airport authority? If so, what is the right place or email of that authority?
Of course, I can write reviews in several travel forums. I have already sent 3 emails to the Indian embassy in Saudi, the Saudi embassy in India, and the Riyadh Airport feedback section.
Where to write the review that might help others?
