CX 888 "Canadian transit visa" warning
Jul 26, 2011, 3:37 am
#1
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CX 888 "Canadian transit visa" warning
I am puzzled as to why the CX website continues to display the "Canadian transit visa" warning, which confuses travelers who don't fly this route (CX888 HKG-YVR-JFK) very often, such as members of my family.
Of course, as we hold HK passports, no visa is required to enter Canada, but passengers don't even need to go through Canadian immigration officials while at YVR, so why would a visa be necessary? The only scenario I could think of is if a passenger would want to enter Canada before continuing on say the next day, but then this would not technically qualify as a "transit" for this particular CX888 flight, would it?
Of course, as we hold HK passports, no visa is required to enter Canada, but passengers don't even need to go through Canadian immigration officials while at YVR, so why would a visa be necessary? The only scenario I could think of is if a passenger would want to enter Canada before continuing on say the next day, but then this would not technically qualify as a "transit" for this particular CX888 flight, would it?
Jul 26, 2011, 4:27 am
#2
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I thought it had something to do with US border control pre-clearance but I don't think CX gets that.
It turns out you need a Canadian transit visa even if you are transiting there on same flight http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4152626AAgrKmu.
Canada's the exception rather than the norm. Normally you get visa-free transit for an International-International transit, esp if on same plane.
It turns out you need a Canadian transit visa even if you are transiting there on same flight http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4152626AAgrKmu.
Canada's the exception rather than the norm. Normally you get visa-free transit for an International-International transit, esp if on same plane.
Jul 26, 2011, 7:30 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
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I am puzzled as to why the CX website continues to display the "Canadian transit visa" warning, which confuses travelers who don't fly this route (CX888 HKG-YVR-JFK) very often, such as members of my family.
Of course, as we hold HK passports, no visa is required to enter Canada, but passengers don't even need to go through Canadian immigration officials while at YVR, so why would a visa be necessary? The only scenario I could think of is if a passenger would want to enter Canada before continuing on say the next day, but then this would not technically qualify as a "transit" for this particular CX888 flight, would it?
Of course, as we hold HK passports, no visa is required to enter Canada, but passengers don't even need to go through Canadian immigration officials while at YVR, so why would a visa be necessary? The only scenario I could think of is if a passenger would want to enter Canada before continuing on say the next day, but then this would not technically qualify as a "transit" for this particular CX888 flight, would it?
But clearing customs is required in the other direction JFK-YVR-HKG, so I guess its to warn people that on your return journey YVR requires clearing of Canadian customs/hence Canadian transit visa (ie. dont book assuming both directions are the same)
Last edited by global happy traveller; Jul 26, 2011 at 7:35 am
Jul 26, 2011, 3:40 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
I don't see why it's confusing at all. CX's website simply says that some passengers transiting Canada on CX888/9 require a Canada transit visa and point you to a link which tells you which nationals require a transit visa.
As for the requirement itself, transit visas are not uncommon. CX888/9 may be a same plane service but on both legs passengers are disembarked (even if on CX889 through-passengers are supposed to stay on board there's nothing stopping them from getting off). In other words, the risk is the same as a plane-1-to-plane-2 transit. Canada presumably wants to avoid the situation where someone travels on a fake passport, slips off the plane and then presents at the CBAS checkpoint seeking asylum or to sneak in to Canada through some other nefarious means.
As for the requirement itself, transit visas are not uncommon. CX888/9 may be a same plane service but on both legs passengers are disembarked (even if on CX889 through-passengers are supposed to stay on board there's nothing stopping them from getting off). In other words, the risk is the same as a plane-1-to-plane-2 transit. Canada presumably wants to avoid the situation where someone travels on a fake passport, slips off the plane and then presents at the CBAS checkpoint seeking asylum or to sneak in to Canada through some other nefarious means.
Jul 26, 2011, 3:56 pm
#10
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Jul 26, 2011, 9:45 pm
#11
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Jul 26, 2011, 9:54 pm
#12
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Oz isn't really "on the way" to anywhere and NZ is only a transit point for Oz and the South Pacific though. (although admittedly transiting in Canada only makes sense for going to the US and for Americans, who don't need a visa regardless)
Jul 26, 2011, 10:04 pm
#13
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Also Aus is possible routing to South America from Asia?
Jul 27, 2011, 8:32 am
#14
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Hong Kong also requires transit visas for certain nationalities (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Iraq, and various African countries).
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm
Jul 27, 2011, 9:20 am
#15
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perceysmith, YES, CX and LA cooperate and put each others codes and swap passengers EACH DAY in AKL. The route is HKG-AKL-SCL with LAN using their A343X doing the ETOPS-busting trans-polar arc to South America.
There are rumours that when the 787's arrive LAN will be switching the route to daily SCL-AKL and SCL-SYD using ETOPS207 and only +30 minutes on the routing.
There are rumours that when the 787's arrive LAN will be switching the route to daily SCL-AKL and SCL-SYD using ETOPS207 and only +30 minutes on the routing.