Yes, unfortunately I’ll miss the Global Voices Online Summit again! The first time I got invited by the awesome Harvard-based GV was for the New Delhi 2006 Summit. I received the invitation on very short notice so I couldn’t make preparations in time and I ended up missing the conference. This year, I got invited again (with fully-paid expenses) and I was told about the details three months before the conference (which will be held in Budapest) so I applied at the Hungarian Embassy and man… don’t get me started.
I was going to write a long post when all of this happened but I changed my mind because the post would have been a pretty pissed off one filled with all kinds of lovely profanities. Let’s just say the unprofessional assholes (ops, here I go) made me go there FIVE fuc.. freaking times and then conveniently rejected the application! The Hungarian staff were rude and disorganized. Best part is I was told I can’t even reapply again! Have you ever heard of such ludicrous garbage before? It was that and being made to go there FIVE times (not so much the visa application’s rejection) that made my blood boil. Worse, they wouldn’t even give me a reason. The last time I went to the embassy to collect some original documents I left behind, I pressed a non-Hungarian person working there with specific questions hoping to get some satisfactory answers.
Lady: Actually you can reapply if you want.
Me: So why was I told I can’t.
Lady: You can, but honestly I wouldn’t advise you to. It will be a waste of time and money for you.
Me: Why? I don’t understand. I can bring more documents if you need more.
Lady: It won’t matter.
Me: What? So like I’m banned for life?
Lady: I guess so.
Me: This is ridiculous. Why?
Lady: I don’t know.
Me: Well, there has to be a reason. Why?
Lady:
Me: So?
Lady speaking softly after hesitating: From my experience working here, all African nationals get rejected. So do Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.
Me: Is that why that dude was rude to me?
Lady:
Me: What do you think?
Lady: I don’t know. Ah, no. Maybe. I don’t know.
Now guys, keep in mind that I’ve been twice to the United States and had no problems whatsoever with the staff, process or entering the country. Even the strict steps were done with a smile. Plus, you’d think having two US visas would at least count for something but nooo.
Me: Shouldn’t the fact that I’ve been to America twice count for something? It’s not like I’m going to disappear in Budapest after the conference you know?
Lady: Of course.
Me: So what’s the reason then?
Lady: I don’t know.
Me: You don’t know? So that’s it then?
Lady:
Me: You know, it’s your right and everything to reject the application but I should at least be given some decent answers when I ask fair questions.
Lady: I’m sorry.
And there you have it. That’s basically it. But seriously, never mind. It’s no point. I just wish I had a definite answer rather than unproven guesses. Anyways, this was meant to be a simple, short post. Looks like I couldn’t help it. Believe me, I’m actually over the whole thing but blogging about it reminded me of the ordeal again.
Budapest No More.
Next GV summit I guess. Hopefully it will be at a country with decent embassy staff. Patience is a virtue.
To all those who are going, congratulations and have fun! Hopefully we’ll meet next year.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Gosh, you made it sound as if it is expected that you would be treated poorly by Americans. Shoot, EVERYone is supposed to get treated nicely here. Shoot, even criminals will sue if they aren’t treated with respect!
Lynn, I think Drima was referring to the fact that us Muslim types tend to be given extra grilling and extra hassles when applying for US visas (as opposed to non-Muslim applicants, that is).
Drima, awfully sorry to hear about your crappy experience with the Hungarians. One wonders what exactly is their basis for such discrimination.
Lynn,
Sudan is listed as a state sponsor of terrorism together with Syria, Iran, Cuba and North Korea. We don’t go through the normal procedure. There are additional steps both when you apply and when you reach the States. So yes, I didn’t expect people would be so friendly and welcoming like they were. Visiting America changed my mind and sharpened my thoughts about a lot of things… for the better of course. Yaay to the U.S.A.
Sheema,
I wonder what’s the discrimination about too. Because some Africans stir up trouble when they go there? Maybe. Because I’m an African national? Possibly but then again, I know some other Africans attending the conference who got the visa. Because I’m a Sudanese Muslim? Guess so. I’m the only invited Sudanese as far as I know and what makes Sudan different from other African countries is the “bad-ass” status given to us.
Seriously, there is no definitive answer. All I know is that the service was shit. Not professional at all.
Wouldn’t wanna generalize and give the impression all Hungarian embassies are like that though.
Sheema,
Do you have any proof of your claims that you muslim types are treated worse than others in your applications for US visas? Drima wasn’t, did they just accidently overlook him? Don’t listen to those conspiracy theorists that are out there.
Lynn,
Speaking from a Malaysian perspective only - have heard lots of anecdotes from friends and family who have experienced it. And note that I didn’t say we were treated worse, just that the procedure involves more scrutiny than with others.
It would be interesting to compare the visa process for muslim and non-muslim Malaysians and how they might differ.
Yeah, it would be - I’ve known of non-Muslim Malaysians who breezed through it with absolutely no problem.
Yeah, it would be - I’ve known of non-Muslim Malaysians who breezed through it with absolutely no problem. It makes you wonder.
Being a muslim has nothing to do with this. I’ve been treated like crap every time I’ve had to get a visa to Europe and I’m neither Sudanese or muslim.. European embassies are notorious for their extremely bad treatment of visa applicants. They seem to think that they’re letting you into heaven. I’ve had the door slammed in my face on more than one occasion after queuing up since 5am for hours in the cold, and just told sorry ‘no more’. Some places only give you a visa after they’ve made you come back at least 3 or 4 times, working on the princinple of, let’s wear them out so maybe they won’t come back. All of this garnished with rudeness and condescension. France is one of the worst offenders but Holland even blocked a tourist visa for the person I was travelling with (again nonmuslim), despite providing all the correct documentation, having travelled to europe before and never broken the terms of a visa. C’est la vie.
anna, damn. At least I’m not the only who had to go through that shit.
Leave a Comment