Do same day turns in Moscow need the $150 visa?
 

I've searched in a couple of threads for this, and have yet to find a definitive answer.

With the UA/DL <$500 deals to Moscow now active, I am trying to figure out if that $150 visa for US citizens is needed for a same day turn in the airport?

The closest I could come to an answer was that, as long as you have your BP for the return flight (hard to do on a TATL w/o mobile BPs), then you don't need one?

Has anyone done a same day turn in either DME/SVO and can tell the tale?

Thanks.

IIRC someone was able to do this,
although not knowing if the airline would board
the passenger w/o visa was stressful.

Maybe search in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia-485/ or do a post there for more help...

No visa needed according to this.

Chris

Suppose you miss your outward connection or the flight is cancelled. What happens then if you do not have a visa for Russia? Is it worth the risk of something going wrong?

Well, assuming you're on UA or DL metal (the MRs being discussed right now), it'd be the same plane taking you back, so it'd be tough to miss the connection. As to a cancellation, that might be a bit more hairy, but there might be emergency visas for similar things.

On a somewhat related note, a fellow traveler I met in Vietnam was flying AMS-BKK on KLM and it had to make an emergency stop somewhere in Kazakhstan. Since they couldn't fly out right away, the airlines got some emergency visas for the passengers.

Chris

if you read further down that thread you'll find the evidence of less fortunate outcome

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11643401-post90.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11712699-post128.html

i personally would strongly advise against trying this but some people are willing to gamble...

Good call. I had only read ozstamps report. If I were back in the US right now I'd be willing to gamble, but I'm a product of the internet poker generation. ;)

Chris

I'd do it if something similar were available out of IAH. The last DME run from TX was on SQ but that wasn't eligible for miles.

I did an immediate turnaround at DME two years ago, which you can read about here. However I originated in BKK, not the States. AFAIK, there is no need for an onward boarding pass - I didn't have one, nor a visa, and traveled on a USA passport. But if UA or DL refuse to issue your initial boarding pass without a visa, then you obviously can't do it.

you need a transit visa returning to the US from the US is not considered a third country for transit purposes in Russia

Good to know

I have personally done multiple visaless A-B-A turns to Moscow no later than Nov. 2011. A-B-A turns DO count for TWOV in Russia. No questions asked, though maybe a few eyebrows.

Even if you have an issue, there is a "consulat" in the airport (at least there is in SVO). Let's say your connection didn't arrive due to a mechanical or weather (or Icelandic volcano), then you can get a 3-day visa at the consulat. Annoying part is that they will not issue it for more than 3 days, so you get to come back after 2 days to re-file and then come back on the 3rd day to pick up your new 3-day visa.

Doing a turnaround once one's at DME or SVO is physically possible, the risk one runs is being denied boarding at departure on the outbound as the check-in staff checks Timatic and sees you technically need to be in transit to a third country to qualify for the TWOV. If OLCI is available, go for it

I did LHR-DME-LHR about 2 years ago...no problem, except that you must have your return BP printed out before you leave. Otherwise you are in serious trouble, since the transfer desk is rarely staffed.

When you come up the escalator to customs, just do a left turn and head back through security into the international waiting area.