BOM Transit - Visa Question
Apr 5, 2010 | 1:32 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 1 AU
Programs: Support the Tyrants Travel Club
Posts: 2,708
Wow, thank you all SO MUCH for the in-depth answers -- Try as I might, I could not get this info anywhere else, so thank you FT'ers!
So, it seems like the definitive answer is: we DO NOT in reality need a transit visa, however Korean Air may think we do and stop us from boarding.
I'd like to get the transit visa as insurance, but from my phone calls to various Indian consulates and high commissions where I will be before India (Indonesia 5 days, Saigon 3 days, Seoul 2 days), there is apparently no way to get a transit visa that fast.
I guess it will be up to the manager on duty at Korean Air that night in Seoul. Perhaps I will print this thread out for evidence that it's ok. :-)
Thanks again, everyone (and PLZ let me know if you know how to get an Indian transit visa in any of the above cities in the time I have)...
So, it seems like the definitive answer is: we DO NOT in reality need a transit visa, however Korean Air may think we do and stop us from boarding.
I'd like to get the transit visa as insurance, but from my phone calls to various Indian consulates and high commissions where I will be before India (Indonesia 5 days, Saigon 3 days, Seoul 2 days), there is apparently no way to get a transit visa that fast.
I guess it will be up to the manager on duty at Korean Air that night in Seoul. Perhaps I will print this thread out for evidence that it's ok. :-)
Thanks again, everyone (and PLZ let me know if you know how to get an Indian transit visa in any of the above cities in the time I have)...
Apr 6, 2010 | 4:48 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
You absolutely DO NOT
In contrast, you can head directly for the international transfers desk (there is NEVER a line there and it is very well signposted) where your boarding pass can be issued in 30 seconds flat and then to the dedicated security checkpoint just beyond. If your bags are checked through, you can be at your next flight departure gate within 2-3 minutes of disembarking your inbound. If they are not checked through, give your tag numbers to the staff and they will make the necessary arrangements to retag the bags.
In contrast, you can head directly for the international transfers desk (there is NEVER a line there and it is very well signposted) where your boarding pass can be issued in 30 seconds flat and then to the dedicated security checkpoint just beyond. If your bags are checked through, you can be at your next flight departure gate within 2-3 minutes of disembarking your inbound. If they are not checked through, give your tag numbers to the staff and they will make the necessary arrangements to retag the bags.
Apr 6, 2010 | 10:58 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
As an Indian citizen myself, I've also never had this issue but I actually saw a Bangladeshi with this very issue this morning at BOM - he had arrived from somewhere in the Gulf on one of the LCCs and was connecting to Dhaka on Jet Airways. They sorted him out at the transfer desk (it took about 30 minutes of phonecalls and running around but it got done). Amused me to watch while I waited for my EK flight to board.
Apr 6, 2010 | 11:45 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: All over India
Programs: 9W Plat, Flying Blue Elite, HHonors Gold, Accor Le Club Plat
Posts: 814
Yes, I've heard from a friend (who experienced it) that it works without a transit visa, but a painful process. Never had to face the problem myself, though, like many others posting on this thread.
Dec 16, 2011 | 9:26 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GoldMM, BA Bronze, SQ/UA SilverHHonorsGold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 4,616
I've got a great award ticket for next week:
MSP-NRT-SIN on DL Business
SIN-BOM on 9W Business
Actually I need to go to CMB but can't get there via India or on MH. So I plan to buy a OW ticket from BOM-CMB.
So it will be on a separate ticket. Called 9W to confirm this is OK, it'll be 9W-to-9W transfer at BOM, with 4 hours 10 minutes transit time. Was told "if it's more than 4 hours you need a transit visa."
True or False?
Will I be allowed to check in at the Jet Airways counter in SIN with these 2 separate tickets and a 4h10m connection time?
Thanks for any help!
I do have a backup award using CO miles but this is a really nice one....
MSP-NRT-SIN on DL Business
SIN-BOM on 9W Business
Actually I need to go to CMB but can't get there via India or on MH. So I plan to buy a OW ticket from BOM-CMB.
So it will be on a separate ticket. Called 9W to confirm this is OK, it'll be 9W-to-9W transfer at BOM, with 4 hours 10 minutes transit time. Was told "if it's more than 4 hours you need a transit visa."
True or False?
Will I be allowed to check in at the Jet Airways counter in SIN with these 2 separate tickets and a 4h10m connection time?
Thanks for any help!
I do have a backup award using CO miles but this is a really nice one....
Dec 18, 2011 | 4:28 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MXP
Programs: SQ-S.PPS, DL-G, NW-G, BD-G, US-G, UA-GS
Posts: 661
The OP does not need a visa unless he needs to exit the airport. Staff can arrange for check-in airside. This will be much easier if not travelling with checked luggage, though it may be do-able even with checked luggage.
KE should not deny boarding since the OP is transiting and a visa is not necessary to transit in BOM. The best thing to do would be to ask them to interline the bags through to DAR at check-in in ICN.
KE should not deny boarding since the OP is transiting and a visa is not necessary to transit in BOM. The best thing to do would be to ask them to interline the bags through to DAR at check-in in ICN.
Dec 18, 2011 | 9:25 pm
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 866
I've got a great award ticket for next week:
MSP-NRT-SIN on DL Business
SIN-BOM on 9W Business
Actually I need to go to CMB but can't get there via India or on MH. So I plan to buy a OW ticket from BOM-CMB.
So it will be on a separate ticket. Called 9W to confirm this is OK, it'll be 9W-to-9W transfer at BOM, with 4 hours 10 minutes transit time. Was told "if it's more than 4 hours you need a transit visa."
True or False?
Will I be allowed to check in at the Jet Airways counter in SIN with these 2 separate tickets and a 4h10m connection time?
Thanks for any help!
I do have a backup award using CO miles but this is a really nice one....
MSP-NRT-SIN on DL Business
SIN-BOM on 9W Business
Actually I need to go to CMB but can't get there via India or on MH. So I plan to buy a OW ticket from BOM-CMB.
So it will be on a separate ticket. Called 9W to confirm this is OK, it'll be 9W-to-9W transfer at BOM, with 4 hours 10 minutes transit time. Was told "if it's more than 4 hours you need a transit visa."
True or False?
Will I be allowed to check in at the Jet Airways counter in SIN with these 2 separate tickets and a 4h10m connection time?
Thanks for any help!
I do have a backup award using CO miles but this is a really nice one....
Aug 7, 2012 | 2:40 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 203
So this thread has been in hiatus for a while. I booked a flight with IndiGo, which apparently is now offering INTL-INTL connections both through BOM and DEL.
So I booked a flight from BKK to DXB through BOM with a 1H45min layover. The booking is made on a single PNR with 2 flight segments (BKK-BOM & BOM-DXB). I called IndiGo and they said that my luggage would be checked all the way through. However, their terms have recently been changed (looks like it changed since I booked) to this:
10.2 In cases where the Customer undertakes travel on the Connected Segments, at the time of check-in, the Baggage of such connecting Customers will have to be collected at the end of each leg and re-checked again. The Customers will be provided with two boarding cards - one for the flight taken from the point of origin till the point of transit and other from the point of transit until the final destination.
So I will have a boarding pass for both flights - also when I arrive in BOM, but what about my luggage. If they don't transfer my luggage, I will have to do it myself and that would require me to go through immigration thus requiring a visa - or??
What do you people say?
So I booked a flight from BKK to DXB through BOM with a 1H45min layover. The booking is made on a single PNR with 2 flight segments (BKK-BOM & BOM-DXB). I called IndiGo and they said that my luggage would be checked all the way through. However, their terms have recently been changed (looks like it changed since I booked) to this:
10.2 In cases where the Customer undertakes travel on the Connected Segments, at the time of check-in, the Baggage of such connecting Customers will have to be collected at the end of each leg and re-checked again. The Customers will be provided with two boarding cards - one for the flight taken from the point of origin till the point of transit and other from the point of transit until the final destination.
So I will have a boarding pass for both flights - also when I arrive in BOM, but what about my luggage. If they don't transfer my luggage, I will have to do it myself and that would require me to go through immigration thus requiring a visa - or??
What do you people say?
Aug 7, 2012 | 2:44 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,690
So this thread has been in hiatus for a while. I booked a flight with IndiGo, which apparently is now offering INTL-INTL connections both through BOM and DEL.
So I booked a flight from BKK to DXB through BOM with a 1H45min layover. The booking is made on a single PNR with 2 flight segments (BKK-BOM & BOM-DXB). I called IndiGo and they said that my luggage would be checked all the way through. However, their terms have recently been changed (looks like it changed since I booked) to this:
10.2 In cases where the Customer undertakes travel on the Connected Segments, at the time of check-in, the Baggage of such connecting Customers will have to be collected at the end of each leg and re-checked again. The Customers will be provided with two boarding cards - one for the flight taken from the point of origin till the point of transit and other from the point of transit until the final destination.
So I will have a boarding pass for both flights - also when I arrive in BOM, but what about my luggage. If they don't transfer my luggage, I will have to do it myself and that would require me to go through immigration thus requiring a visa - or??
What do you people say?
So I booked a flight from BKK to DXB through BOM with a 1H45min layover. The booking is made on a single PNR with 2 flight segments (BKK-BOM & BOM-DXB). I called IndiGo and they said that my luggage would be checked all the way through. However, their terms have recently been changed (looks like it changed since I booked) to this:
10.2 In cases where the Customer undertakes travel on the Connected Segments, at the time of check-in, the Baggage of such connecting Customers will have to be collected at the end of each leg and re-checked again. The Customers will be provided with two boarding cards - one for the flight taken from the point of origin till the point of transit and other from the point of transit until the final destination.
So I will have a boarding pass for both flights - also when I arrive in BOM, but what about my luggage. If they don't transfer my luggage, I will have to do it myself and that would require me to go through immigration thus requiring a visa - or??
What do you people say?
Aug 7, 2012 | 3:45 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 203
I am considering this. However, transit visa are only valid for 15 days. I won't be in Denmark 15 days up to the short stop in BOM. I will be in London until 11 days before arrival in India, but here they'd require 6 days processing of the visa (as I am a foreigner in the UK).
Aug 7, 2012 | 11:05 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: HYD/CHI
Posts: 794
I am considering this. However, transit visa are only valid for 15 days. I won't be in Denmark 15 days up to the short stop in BOM. I will be in London until 11 days before arrival in India, but here they'd require 6 days processing of the visa (as I am a foreigner in the UK).
Regarding your itinerary, why not apply for a tourist visa in Denmark now? If you have a tourist visa, you won't need a transit one.
Aug 7, 2012 | 3:28 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 203
I did look at this, but then I get a little cheap. Getting a tourist visa is not cheap and the visa in total will almost cost me (about 70 USD) the same as the flight. A little stupid since I have been told both by the airline and the Embassy that I won't need one.