FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - KWI: Air side transit with separate tix; don't qualify for visa on arrival
Old Aug 23, 2018, 9:53 am
  #9  
IAN-UK
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Originally Posted by wariobahn
I wasn't aware this was such a big issue to be honest. I've been to the US many times and never had an issue.
I was stopped at EWR getting off a Dublin flight, and taken for an "interview". Turned out my sin was starting the journey from Ireland on a UK passport. Whatever software or eyeball the US border security people used had flagged me for attention. I'd made similar trips to the US starting at non-UK airports before, and I've made them since, no more problems entering the US but I'm occasionally questioned closely at the check-in security.

So I'd have thought middle-east origin, (what will appear as) evasion of normal check-in procedures, transfer at Istanbul: stands a very good chance of close scrutiny. Perhaps whatever is driving the odd itinerary counters the risk, but only you know the answer to that.
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