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Old Aug 22, 2014, 6:43 am
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gq_dq
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 566
As a standard rule, please do not identify yourself using your full name since a combination of that and posted details of your exact flight dates would facilitate those up to no good to misuse this info. Not just here but anywhere on the web.

If you are on AY 022 which arrives 15:20 HEL time on Sep 12, the situation becomes a bit tricky. The potential problem is that you will need to go through Schengen passport control upon arrival, because your final destination is within Schengen space. If you were continuing on to the UK or another non-Schengen destination you would be OK.

Generally speaking, once you deplane at HEL, you need to make your way to either the Arrivals area or the Non-Schengen connecting area. If you proceed to Arrivals, you will need to go through Passport control -- even though there may be seats in the area, you probably can't just hang around in front of the counter for 9 hours until the clock strikes midnight and your visa becomes valid. On the other hand, technically you cannot proceed to the Non-Schengen waiting area and stick around there, as your destination is HAM. While someone at HEL may accommodate you once you land, there is no way for the check-in agent at DEL to know if you will be allowed to do so.

It may seem trivial and administrative in this case but penalties levied on the airline for enplaning pax sans valid visas are significant, so AY is likely to be rather skittish and throw the book at you when enforcing visa validity.

A written confirmation from Finnish border control may help but you should also check with the consulate that issued your visa.
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