Kenyan - Sometime in 2003

I was resident in Ethiopia a few years ago where I worked for a United Nations organisation. It was relatively easy then to secure a visa irrespective of your nationality as the organisation applied on your behalf, filled out all the applications and submitted same. You rarely visited embassies except for maybe the US embassy where it was compulsory - they had to identify the requesting individual.

Well, I spent a couple of years with the UN, left after taking on a more private job, consulting and building systems. That was the end to my "visa securing bliss." I had to apply by myself and pray that I receive it. Some of my current postings will tell some old stories for archive purposes. This is one of them.

I thought as a resident of a country that has an agreement with another country for nationals to trade and travel between themselves freely do not need to go through the pains of securing visas. After all its a piece of paper (sorry, ...document) that is stuck on your passport. If neigbouring countries see the benefit of free border movements and trade among their nationals, it then makes sense that residents in these countries should also enjoy the same benefits. Especially because you "temporarily" have assumed all the benefits (and of course pains) of your new country, making inputs as a private individual to the national good by increasing employment (as an enterpreneur) for locals, paying your taxes, meeting up obligations expected of you. etc.

Well, It turns out not to be the case.

I go through the same check any other Nigerian applying from Nigeria, or anywhere else would have to go through.

"You need to apply a month ahead of time to go to Kenya," It does not matter if its a transit or entry visa...you need a month."

"But I have been there before. Does that record count at all?"

"Nope. Apply again, and you need a month!"

The choice falls on my laps. As we all say, "the ball is now in your court." Do I want to play or not? Would I apply or not?

(The nature of my job does not give me the priviledge to tell some of my trips months in advance)

I was told I would have to leave my passport at the embassy for a month. Implications?

- You cannot travel anywhere else within the time period until your passport is returned
- You are not sure you would receive your visa after a month, hence your wait could be a waste.
- You would have lost a month in time, for ever, as you would have cancelled other obligations or trips within the time period
- Should security (or health related) issues arise (Africa, being prone to such) I cannot be evacuated without a travel document, moreso that I am some "Nigerian!" No favours of any kind by anyone!
- Several other implications (maybe, not too nice to mention here)

Well, thats the last time I visited Nairobi.

Other implications for the country...

- This was a meeting of Civil societies, talking about the effect of globalisation and the opprtunities that may become visible with it. I was to present a paper. (I eventually did though)
- Trade between my resident country and Kenya was henceforth not possible.
- The airline (Kenyan airways) with which I had good relations and patronage lost one more client.

Okay, maybe these cannot all be quantified. Maybe there are no monetary values to the loss the country would have had as one person is too insignificant to make any valuable contribution. But apply the multiplier effect and imagine the amout of revenue generated just from persons on transit alone!

Nigerians are known for their trading inclinations. Ethiopian Airlines enjoy a huge benefit with over 60% of its African business revenue coming from the west African coast purely from Nigerian traders flying to the middle east.

Maybe there actually is a lot of money to lose! But some countries would rather blind their eyes to a few negatives than gain at all.

Ok, maybe the international trade business is too visible and a good coverup to security issues but how do you explain an out right application of the same laws to those on non-profit business for national or continental good?

My uncle would say, "If you shut your eyes when a bad man goes by, your eyes would remain closed when a good man passes."

A visa application of an African to another African country (or any where else for that matter) should be looked at individually, differently and uniquely everytime. Thats all I am asking for.

Czeck Visa - May 28, 2004

Its amazing how difficult it is for you to travel just because of the color of your skin or the nationality of your passport and not because of the grey matter in your cranium, or your contribution to world peace, or even your 'tiny' contribution to the good of the disadvantaged, marginalised persons living in the so called "third world" - a term used to depict those who do not (and should not) have access to so called "first world"/developed countries.

I live in Dakar, Senegal, a beautiful town in West Africa. I sought a Czech visa for a meeting that would last one week in Prague. I looked forward to the trip. Not because I have the time to explore the ancient city with all its history and success story but more because I cannot avoid escaping my work, which had to be done in order that I might be able to trudge along life's daily trail. The thought of defecting does not come within the vicinity of my thoughts. "How would I survive in a non-English (or French) speaking country?"

4000 Euros later (paid as security that I will return, excluding other visa fees and daily cost in time and money of visiting the embassy in Dakar for 14 days) I got a visa that allows me 7 days stay, single entry with the specific instruction that I must leave on completion of the 7th day! "Should you happen to need medical attention, please ensure you go to the immigration police and only then can you extend your stay!"

Go figure! I'd probably need to crawl all the way to the next immigration post should a bug strike!

One out of many!

I pray the ease with which my security deposit was paid would be reciprocated on return. Alas! I was warned, "no one else can pick this on your behalf. You must come yourself." I hope to stay alive if only to pick up my deposit!

Now I wonder who defects! My money or me?