US passport to transit UK, Russian passport to enter Russia
Jul 10, 2017, 9:53 am
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
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US passport to transit UK, Russian passport to enter Russia
I have a friend (dual US-Russian citizen) who is traveling US-UK-Russia. He arrives the UK around 7am and departs 6:30am the next day.
The US passport allows him to do a landside transit in the UK without a visa, and the Russian passport allows him to enter Russia without a visa.
I realize this is a bit complicated for the average check-in agent, but is there any advice I should give him other than telling him to simply inform the agent that he plans to us the US passport to transit the UK and the Russian passport to enter Russia? I'm not sure how TIMATIC might handle something like...
Thanks for any advice!
The US passport allows him to do a landside transit in the UK without a visa, and the Russian passport allows him to enter Russia without a visa.
I realize this is a bit complicated for the average check-in agent, but is there any advice I should give him other than telling him to simply inform the agent that he plans to us the US passport to transit the UK and the Russian passport to enter Russia? I'm not sure how TIMATIC might handle something like...
Thanks for any advice!
Jul 10, 2017, 12:00 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 668
Jul 10, 2017, 2:39 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
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Keep in mind that at Heathrow, there is most likely not an outbound immigration check. They use API data from the airlines.
Use your Russian passport to check in for your flight at Heathrow, and that should be it. You have your US one if needed, but after you clear inbound immigration at Heathrow, you probably won't need to use it until checking in for your flight in Russia on your return trip.
Use your Russian passport to check in for your flight at Heathrow, and that should be it. You have your US one if needed, but after you clear inbound immigration at Heathrow, you probably won't need to use it until checking in for your flight in Russia on your return trip.
Jul 11, 2017, 12:02 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
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The key with using multiple passports is to use the one most relevant at a given spot in the airport. For the check-in counters, use the one you plan to use wherever your flight is heading to. All the gate agents care about is if you're eligible for admission to the next country. So, US passport when checking in for LHR flight in the US, Russian passport when checking in for Russia flight in the UK.
In Russia, use Russian passport for inbound immigration. For the return, us US passport at the ticket counter and Russian passport at outbound immigration.
In Russia, use Russian passport for inbound immigration. For the return, us US passport at the ticket counter and Russian passport at outbound immigration.
Jul 11, 2017, 1:38 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 668
The key with using multiple passports is to use the one most relevant at a given spot in the airport. For the check-in counters, use the one you plan to use wherever your flight is heading to. All the gate agents care about is if you're eligible for admission to the next country. So, US passport when checking in for LHR flight in the US, Russian passport when checking in for Russia flight in the UK.
In Russia, use Russian passport for inbound immigration. For the return, us US passport at the ticket counter and Russian passport at outbound immigration.
In Russia, use Russian passport for inbound immigration. For the return, us US passport at the ticket counter and Russian passport at outbound immigration.
Then if they put in Russia as the nationality, Russia as the destination, and the UK as the transit point, it'll say that a visa is needed to do a landside transit in the UK.
A smart agent should understand the nuance of the situation... I am just worried about him running into a dense agent who will read what TIMATIC says and not use their common sense.
Jul 11, 2017, 3:02 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
You're really overthinking this. The guy has two passports. No issues anywhere.
Where an issue like you're describing crops up is when there's a connection somewhere, international to international, where the passenger does not have a visa for the connecting country. The check-in crew is often confused by that.
As far as the check-in agent putting much in the record, that's all been done long before someone shows up for a flight. When he/she booked the ticket, a lot of that info went in then.
Where an issue like you're describing crops up is when there's a connection somewhere, international to international, where the passenger does not have a visa for the connecting country. The check-in crew is often confused by that.
As far as the check-in agent putting much in the record, that's all been done long before someone shows up for a flight. When he/she booked the ticket, a lot of that info went in then.