flyupfront

Hello,
As my post's title states, I'm flying from Chicago to Dubai via Doha (QR Business). Will I simply go through a security line in Doha (remaining airside) to access lounge prior to connecting flight OR will have I have clear immigration and customs before continuing on to the lounge and onward flight to Dubai?

I assume it's just a security check and that I'll clear immigration/customs upon arrival into Dubai.

arabiamark

Just a security check.

Gottettaz

That's right, just a security check. The only country in the world that does not recognize the "in transit" concept is the United States.

aceboy44

You forgot to add Australia. If I need to visit New Zealand via Australia I need to apply for a transit visa, despite remaining on the plane for the journey to New Zealand (that's what Emirates says when I did a dummy booking online )

Gottettaz

Thanks aceboy, I was not aware of that -- and it's useful to know.

DYKWIA

And not always a security check. You sometimes get directed straight into the departure lounge.

Internaut

Twice now I've seen an additional random check taking place, at the gate. I assume this is the very sensitive equipment they have at their disposal for the detection of explosives and drugs. I've only bypassed security altogether the once (late arrival from MAN - I assume that would happen only with origins they trust) but that was at the old airport.

Nickolash27

If you're referring to the EK flights to AKL, you do not remain on the plane during the Australia stop. You disembark and pass through transit security back into the departure lounge, where you wait for an hour or so before they leave for NZ.

Last time (a week ago) I was selected for body scanning also.

zhaobao

You can add Mainland China to that list. Most airports in Mainland China are not built to have international-to-international transfer. Only on the rare occasions where you are connecting in Shanghai and Beijing on the same airline, leaving from the same terminal, does true "transit" actually occur.

In Canada, for international-to-international transfer, you still have to go through a special passport control desk dedicated to transfer passengers, before being let through back "upstairs". If you arrive outside the hours where the special passport control desk is in operation, you would have to go through the formal Canada Border Services inspection, though bags are directly transferred to the connecting flight and thus you would not have to claim the bags and go through customs with them. Suffice to say, if you are arriving and departing at different terminals say in Toronto, you (minus the checked bags) have to go through the formal Canada Border Services inspection anyway no matter what time you arrive.