India - transit @ DEL w/out visa - possible?

i have to pass through (or would prefer, as the flights are about a fifth through delhi rather than direct or any other route) DEL but do not have the time to get a visa at our local immigration office as they say it will take five working days to process, however i will already leave in three days. i understand that so far there are only nine countries that are currently offered a visa on arrival with twelve more being added soon - me holding the nationality of one of these prospects, will i have any chance or is it possible to just transfer without passing immigration?

Where are you flying to from DEL? What airlines involved?

TWOV is generally possible at DEL.

i fly from BKK (CX) to KTM (9W) - wow, what a quick reply!

well, the embassy in HKG made it quite clear that there is no ways to proceed through DEL TWOV, so i guess i'll have to avoid indian grounds...

well, the embassy in HKG made it quite clear that there is no ways to proceed through DEL TWOV, so i guess i'll have to avoid indian grounds...

if u remain in the intl transit area and ur KTM flt departs within 24hrs then I see no reason why u cannot transit.. though u may have to ensure ur checked in baggage is tagged till KTM and follow that up with Jet personnel in transit area..

CX to intl 9W in DEL is no problem, no visa needed. If your luggage is only checked to DEL by CX you can ask 9W to locate it and recheck it for you.

well - i thought so, too, especially since the flights depart from the same terminal but from what the staff at the embassy said, it seems that i will have to go through immigration before i can transit - CX confirmed that they would check my luggage without any issues through to KTM. i think i will just take the risk, if all else fails, i will fly to bkk or dxb/auh and connect there. thanks for your opinions!

well - i thought so, too, especially since the flights depart from the same terminal but from what the staff at the embassy said, it seems that i will have to go through immigration before i can transit - CX confirmed that they would check my luggage without any issues through to KTM. i think i will just take the risk, if all else fails, i will fly to bkk or dxb/auh and connect there. thanks for your opinions!

you do not have to go through immigration during transit....i know a bunch of people who have done this....

just returning from my trip, i have to say that the transit was smooth in terms of having no issues due to TWOV - otherwise, plan ahead sufficient time to transit as it's painfully slow at peak times.

just returning from my trip, i have to say that the transit was smooth in terms of having no issues due to TWOV - otherwise, plan ahead sufficient time to transit as it's painfully slow at peak times.

good to know u didnt face any problems :)

just returning from my trip, i have to say that the transit was smooth in terms of having no issues due to TWOV - otherwise, plan ahead sufficient time to transit as it's painfully slow at peak times.

I have a 1 hour international connection in DEL (all with Jet Airways) - what are the chances that both I and my luggage make it?

1 hour international connection anywhere except a major hub? Tough.

Might as well carry everything you can onboard so you dont get stuck with a stinking tshirt and jeans for most of your first day.

1 hour international connection anywhere except a major hub? Tough.

Might as well carry everything you can onboard so you dont get stuck with a stinking tshirt and jeans for most of your first day.

Never mind the first day - we have a 2 month long trip (including a cruise) to follow.
Really cannot afford to lose the luggage. Though we will be in DAC for a couple of days - the luggage may catch up with us if it doesn't make the connection.
I think it's probably too much of a risk.

I think it's probably too much of a risk.

i agree....1 hour is definitely not enough time....

i agree....1 hour is definitely not enough time....

Is my arrival from CMB to DEL likely to be a jetway disembarkation or a bus transfer on arrival?
That could make a big difference as well.

Is my arrival from CMB to DEL likely to be a jetway disembarkation or a bus transfer on arrival?
That could make a big difference as well.

most likely jetway BUT in any case 1 hr is cutting it too short IMO..

most likely jetway BUT in any case 1 hr is cutting it too short IMO..

I am of the same thought -- the odds of passenger and/or luggage mis-connecting is quite substantial when the scheduled transit time is but one-hour. Unless such mis-connecting isn't going to cause substantial problems, I'd want no less than 2-3 hours of scheduled transit time.

Is my arrival from CMB to DEL likely to be a jetway disembarkation or a bus transfer on arrival?
That could make a big difference as well.

there has been a jetway disembarkation on every single flight i have taken since operations moved to the new terminal....but that won't really make a difference....one hour is still very little time....

Thank you all for your input.
It makes you wonder why 9W thinks it's a legal connection and encourages me to book it. The only other option is an overnight in BOM but that would require a visa.
Decisions, decisions...

Thank you all for your input.
It makes you wonder why 9W thinks it's a legal connection and encourages me to book it. The only other option is an overnight in BOM but that would require a visa.
Decisions, decisions...

aha.. there are many examples for this even in Europe, so its best to be safe than sorry..
For eg.. LH allows and issues tickets for short distance flights at 45mins intervals in FRA.. and for a routing like VIE - FRA - DME where immigration and security has to be crossed, its pretty prety tight but they issue the ticket as their MCT for these kinda flights is 45mins..

aha.. there are many examples for this even in Europe, so its best to be safe than sorry..
For eg.. LH allows and issues tickets for short distance flights at 45mins intervals in FRA.. and for a routing like VIE - FRA - DME where immigration and security has to be crossed, its pretty prety tight but they issue the ticket as their MCT for these kinda flights is 45mins..

I'm quite routinely given MCTs at ORD that are an hour or even less, and too often something goes wrong for me to count on it if myself and/or my bag making the connection is critical to the trip going off well (enough). If my tolerance for myself and/or my bag misconnecting is relatively high, then I'll risk it -- especially on award tickets .... in anticipation of re-accommodation that earns me miles when re-booked.

I'm quite routinely given MCTs at ORD that are an hour or even less, and too often something goes wrong for me to count on it if myself and/or my bag making the connection is critical to the trip going off well (enough). If my tolerance for myself and/or my bag misconnecting is relatively high, then I'll risk it -- especially on award tickets .... in anticipation of re-accommodation that earns me miles when re-booked.

This is a good strategy ^ unfortunately I cannot afford to miss the connecting because of no other options the same evening :(

After reading the advice given here (and much back-and-forth with myself), I have decided to play it safe and fly via BOM with overnight stay. It will require a visa, but so be it; I'll have enough time to get it. At least I'll have a peace of mind and won't worry about making the connection.
Thanks to all.

After reading the advice given here (and much back-and-forth with myself), I have decided to play it safe and fly via BOM with overnight stay. It will require a visa, but so be it; I'll have enough time to get it. At least I'll have a peace of mind and won't worry about making the connection.
Thanks to all.

good call....

Is there such a thing as a transit visa or do I need a tourist visa (even for just overnight)?

Is there such a thing as a transit visa or do I need a tourist visa (even for just overnight)?

I believe there are both kinds..refer to this..
http://india.gov.in/overseas/passport/types_visa.php

I believe there are both kinds..refer to this..
http://india.gov.in/overseas/passport/types_visa.php

Thank you.
Looked up transit visa ($10 less than tourist visa). However, it is tricky as it has to be used within 15 days of issue and I don't want to wait till last minute before my trip to get a visa.
Will get a tourist visa with more flexibility.

Thank you.
Looked up transit visa ($10 less than tourist visa). However, it is tricky as it has to be used within 15 days of issue and I don't want to wait till last minute before my trip to get a visa.
Will get a tourist visa with more flexibility.

just remember that tourist visa has its restrictions on how frequently u can enter India.. if u dont plan in entering India again in the next few months after one entry, then it should be fine..

just remember that tourist visa has its restrictions on how frequently u can enter India.. if u dont plan in entering India again in the next few months after one entry, then it should be fine..

good point abhilife2001....its 2 months to be exact....

just remember that tourist visa has its restrictions on how frequently u can enter India.. if u dont plan in entering India again in the next few months after one entry, then it should be fine..

The 6 month visa comes with a waiver for the two month entry rule.

The 6 month visa comes with a waiver for the two month entry rule.

Is it some new rule as is not mentioned clearly anywhere..

Searched the forums and couldn't find an exact match to my question. We will be spending a week in India, then off to Sri Lanka for a couple of weeks. Our return home is CMB-DEL (arrive 6pm) then DEL-MUC (depart next day 9am) and we are on separate PNR's with UL & LH. Will we be able to remain in the sterile area and not have to worry about the 6 month rule? Are we safe to reserve a room at the Eaton assuming we can stay in the sterile area? Not sure what impact our luggage and perhaps not having a boarding pass for the LH flight might have.

Thanks!

I'm no expert in this, but I'll take a stab at it since no one else has answered. Based on my past trips and reports of others, my guess is that you will be fine as long as you are in the "sterile" section.

Is it some new rule as is not mentioned clearly anywhere..

yes, is there any link to this new change?