Same-day turn to India?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
Programs: Previously 5 year AS Gold 75, UA MM Lifetime Gold
Posts: 787
Same-day turn to India?
I know this borderlines insane, but I had a large credit on CO I had to use or lose by the end of April, my wife is out of town for the weekend, so I'm doing a same-day turn to DEL. Fortunately, I was upgraded for the return. I did get a visa since I'm going back in about a month for a proper visit.
My question is, does anybody have any experience they can share having done this to help minimize any hassles I might run into? I've read a couple of related threads, but they were a few years ago. Thanks for anything you can share to help.
My question is, does anybody have any experience they can share having done this to help minimize any hassles I might run into? I've read a couple of related threads, but they were a few years ago. Thanks for anything you can share to help.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
I did get a visa since I'm going back in about a month for a proper visit.
My question is, does anybody have any experience they can share having done this to help minimize any hassles I might run into? I've read a couple of related threads, but they were a few years ago. Thanks for anything you can share to help.
My question is, does anybody have any experience they can share having done this to help minimize any hassles I might run into? I've read a couple of related threads, but they were a few years ago. Thanks for anything you can share to help.
If you intend to re-enter you need permission to do so and a special permit (which comes at a fee and must be arranged through the consulate or possible via a visa service who will do it through the consulate).
I believe the Indian authorities are looking at making these rules simpler, but there have been reports of airlines refusing carriage on the basis that return travel is within the 60 day limit.
So the advice could be that if you can manage without using the visa (for example stay in transit) then that might be preferable and save you time later.
(I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong if the visa situation has changed in the last couple of weeks! )
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Regarding the visa you probably already know but there is a restriction on re-entering India on a visa within two months.
If you intend to re-enter you need permission to do so and a special permit (which comes at a fee and must be arranged through the consulate or possible via a visa service who will do it through the consulate).
I believe the Indian authorities are looking at making these rules simpler, but there have been reports of airlines refusing carriage on the basis that return travel is within the 60 day limit.
So the advice could be that if you can manage without using the visa (for example stay in transit) then that might be preferable and save you time later.
(I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong if the visa situation has changed in the last couple of weeks! )
If you intend to re-enter you need permission to do so and a special permit (which comes at a fee and must be arranged through the consulate or possible via a visa service who will do it through the consulate).
I believe the Indian authorities are looking at making these rules simpler, but there have been reports of airlines refusing carriage on the basis that return travel is within the 60 day limit.
So the advice could be that if you can manage without using the visa (for example stay in transit) then that might be preferable and save you time later.
(I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong if the visa situation has changed in the last couple of weeks! )
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 1 AU
Programs: Support the Tyrants Travel Club
Posts: 2,708
Here is A_Lee's experience with a turnaround in BOM, though:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...l#post12996055
In general, avoid talking to any security staff or they may give you a "wrong" answer and tell you to clear immigration first...
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 1 AU
Programs: Support the Tyrants Travel Club
Posts: 2,708
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,687
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
Programs: Previously 5 year AS Gold 75, UA MM Lifetime Gold
Posts: 787
Thanks for the heads up on this to all of you. As Mr. Bean suggested, any chance of staying "in transit" and not actually entering the country on this first trip? If so, can you give me any specifics? Thanks again.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
There are not many facilities in this area....no fancy lounges, etc.
The trick is to get someone to print you a CO boarding pass. Someone with experience can tell how to do it. Its not impossible, just a little tricky.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
I had a friend that did an unintentional turn ORD-LHR-BLR. At immigration, turns out he didn't bother to get a visa because he didn't think he needed one (British citizen living in the US). They put him on a flight 2 hours later back to LHR and he spent the next couple of days trying to get a visa there.
Of course I had to give him grief that it was the second time that India ran a Brit out of the country.
Of course I had to give him grief that it was the second time that India ran a Brit out of the country.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,687
#12
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
the indian tourist visa law.. ppl may v their own views on tht.. but its a fact and its also a fact tht many folks hv mis-used the tourist visa for other purposes...
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
Programs: Previously 5 year AS Gold 75, UA MM Lifetime Gold
Posts: 787
guess u hv already ticketed as u hv already been upgraded on the return leg.. but IMHO, it would be much better to visit some other country other than India.. ur reasons for same day return will also be suspicious to the immi folks and I am not too sure u can straightaway go to transit and then check-in ( though hv some seen some other threads but they had confirmed tickets on 2 diff airlines on diff itineraries atleast )from there for the return leg.. ( as ur scenario would be very rare if at all happenning )..
the indian tourist visa law.. ppl may v their own views on tht.. but its a fact and its also a fact tht many folks hv mis-used the tourist visa for other purposes...
the indian tourist visa law.. ppl may v their own views on tht.. but its a fact and its also a fact tht many folks hv mis-used the tourist visa for other purposes...
#14
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
I appreciate your feedback, and concerns. Do you have any experience in this scenario to support them. I have received a great deal of feedback in a couple different forums, and most seem to think I shouldn't have any problems staying "in transit". Getting my BP could be interesting, but the general consensus seems to be that, again, I shouldn't have too much trouble. If you have any specifics that could help, I'd love to hear them.
See the thing is ur scenario is pretty rare wherein u will b travelling more than 15 hrs and then return the same day without going even out of transit. No One I have heard of has ever done that and am sure they wil question this just because presently they r lookng at any kind of irregular behaviour in the airports with all this security stuff...
and frankly even I wonder why u wd wanna take this trip.. isnt it worth going to some other place which has a shorter flying time but going on a higher class or spending 5-6 hrs in the place u going, which is possible if u take a flight say of 8 hrs instead of 15+...
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
Programs: Previously 5 year AS Gold 75, UA MM Lifetime Gold
Posts: 787
...and frankly even I wonder why u wd wanna take this trip.. isnt it worth going to some other place which has a shorter flying time but going on a higher class or spending 5-6 hrs in the place u going, which is possible if u take a flight say of 8 hrs instead of 15+...