Got denied entry to Doha
Jan 22, 2019, 3:33 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
So basically I was flying back to LHR and had a connection of 7 hours in Doha... Mrs wanted to go outside the airport for dinner and we went towards arrivals only to be told by immigration to head back up if I just wanted to have 'dinner'... my fault here was to answer his question truthfully which was how long will I be staying in Doha which was about a couple of hours.
I felt like he was unnecessarily showing his authority and I could've easily just gone to a different immigration officer 5mins later but just couldnt believe this whole situation and went back to the lounge. I thought Qatar wanted to get more people spending money with the whole visa free launch but oh well
FYI: British passport holder
I felt like he was unnecessarily showing his authority and I could've easily just gone to a different immigration officer 5mins later but just couldnt believe this whole situation and went back to the lounge. I thought Qatar wanted to get more people spending money with the whole visa free launch but oh well
FYI: British passport holder
But he gave me a different stamp compared to every other UK stamp I have a leave to enter for 24 hour stamp - and every time I go back to the UK, border agents ask me what I did to get that stamp.
Jan 22, 2019, 5:03 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA-Plat, UA-MM, Hertz PC, HH, APEC ABTC
Posts: 235
I was transiting LHR last year with a 3 hour layover between UA and EK, no interline check through. US Passport. I was surprised how much grief I got from UK immigration. I was told "it's your airlines responsibility to check your bag through". Well, sir, actually it's not. So I wound up with the 24 hour stamp as well. It's actually kinda cool. Funny thing is, I have had other stopovers at LHR where I was there much longer, but still under 24 hours, and no eyes were batted. And I did not get the 24 hour stamp. It was definitely the short timeframe (2-3 hours) that set him off.
Last edited by tvhead; Jan 22, 2019 at 5:06 pm Reason: lack of proof-reading. tut, tut.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:56 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Delta
Posts: 270
Interesting. I've done short entries to the UK at LHR five times now, 3 times for about 6-8 hours when I had a long connection, and I just told the border agent I had enough time to have lunch and walk about or browse the British Museum. The fourth time was for about an hour - I met a friend landside in the terminal. The fifth time was the entire family (2 adults, 2 little kids) going landside for less than hour to check out the lost-and-found for something we thought we had misplaced in the terminal during our outbound connection. No particular questions asked any time, and no special 24-hour stamp either, although I think a couple of them had a "(T)" next to them which I suppose might mean "transit". US passport. I suppose this sort of thing is down to the mood of the agent...
I've also done a 6 hour entry to the Netherlands at Schiphol once.
I've also done a 6 hour entry to the Netherlands at Schiphol once.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:56 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Enrich
Posts: 449
Basically there is nothing wrong for the officer to deny entry for transit. Usually if at the borderline transit time stated by their rule, then it all up to luck.
I have once seen a Canadian denied entry into USA at Buffalo/Niagara immigration. He wanted to go to the Casino at Niagara, Buffalo side, but he entry into Buffalo downtown immigration instead of the Niagara immigration. The officer just told him that there is no Casino in Buffalo (yes, indeed, Casino only available in Niagara), so the person had to walk back to Canada side by foot...
I have once seen a Canadian denied entry into USA at Buffalo/Niagara immigration. He wanted to go to the Casino at Niagara, Buffalo side, but he entry into Buffalo downtown immigration instead of the Niagara immigration. The officer just told him that there is no Casino in Buffalo (yes, indeed, Casino only available in Niagara), so the person had to walk back to Canada side by foot...
Jan 22, 2019, 9:13 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,844
In some countries (eg. US) you have no choice but to enter the country for a short period when transferring international - international. Good to know though that Qatar has a minimum of 8 hours.
Jan 23, 2019, 4:58 am
#24
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH Gold
Posts: 4,410
Happened to me in London too as a US passport holder transiting, but he relented after I was able to convince him that I had enough time to go to Windsor Castle and make it back.
But he gave me a different stamp compared to every other UK stamp I have a leave to enter for 24 hour stamp - and every time I go back to the UK, border agents ask me what I did to get that stamp.
But he gave me a different stamp compared to every other UK stamp I have a leave to enter for 24 hour stamp - and every time I go back to the UK, border agents ask me what I did to get that stamp.
Jan 23, 2019, 5:08 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
Some international airports organize brief tours for those with long connections, usually restricted to those with entry documents for the country or those for whom a visa isn't required. NRT and ICN are examples.
Jan 23, 2019, 5:30 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Really interesting reading this and other related threads, as my first ever QR flight to DOH takes off in 3 hours from CMB.
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
Jan 23, 2019, 5:52 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 1
Really interesting reading this and other related threads, as my first ever QR flight to DOH takes off in 3 hours from CMB.
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
Jan 23, 2019, 5:52 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BAEC Gold, KLM/AirFrance Silver, Aegean
Posts: 2
Really interesting reading this and other related threads, as my first ever QR flight to DOH takes off in 3 hours from CMB.
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
I was going to grab a shower when I arrived, is the arrivals lounge after immigration (I’m in biz) or before? At least I can enter Qatar legally as my next flight is more than 8 hours later!
And am I right to assume the arrivals lounge will be less busy than Al Mourjan for a shower?
There are two two sets of showers - roughly at either end of the lounge. You need to put your name down when it’s busy, the longest I’ve ever had to wait is 30 mins.
Enjoy !
JJ
Jan 23, 2019, 7:46 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 582
The Arrivals Lounge per se is outside immigration and baggage reclaim, but likely little use, as OP will be arriving around midnight. Better to take advantage of the free hotel in Doha if eligible or the facilities in Al Mourjan.
Jan 23, 2019, 8:53 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,576
I will be spending 1 night there on my upcoming trip! Hope to tour other parts (more inland) of the city by Uber (hope they still have Uber).
For those who has never been to Doha, give it a few hours and see if you find anything interesting.