International MR with same day turn around, Require Visa?
Jan 22, 2009, 2:09 pm
#1
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International MR with same day turn around, Require Visa?
It is my understanding that some countries require expensive visas for visitors. If you are on the same day turn around Mileage Run, will you still need a visa. I'm looking at going to Shanghai and the visa is in the area of $150 IIRC. negating the lure of doing a MR there...
Thank you
Thank you
Jan 22, 2009, 3:07 pm
#2
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Very much depends on the country. Some are fine with visa free turnarounds, others are not. For China, they require transit to a 3rd country (eg NRT-PVG-ICN is okay, NRT-PVG-NRT is not).
Jan 22, 2009, 3:39 pm
#3
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As was stated, totally depends. I did a transit in SVO and again in DXB and as a US citizen, no transit visa required. For those two airports, I don't believe citizens of any country require a visa for transit (based on the way the transit area is set up) but there could be exceptions.
Jan 25, 2009, 5:47 am
#4
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In addition to what the country requires, you have to check into what the airline will accept. Will they let you board without a visa?
And then even if they do let you board without a visa, you have to worry about irops. What if your arriving flight is late and you miss the return? Would it be possible to stay airside until you can get your flight changed (maybe next day, or next week)? And would you be happy with being stuck airside for an indefinite period?
For all these reasons, I would not consider a pure MR to a country that requires visa, unless I was willing to go through the trouble of getting the visa.
And then even if they do let you board without a visa, you have to worry about irops. What if your arriving flight is late and you miss the return? Would it be possible to stay airside until you can get your flight changed (maybe next day, or next week)? And would you be happy with being stuck airside for an indefinite period?
For all these reasons, I would not consider a pure MR to a country that requires visa, unless I was willing to go through the trouble of getting the visa.
Jan 25, 2009, 6:09 am
#5
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I do MRs a few times a year to Chile, and while I probably could do it without clearing immigration and entering the country, I went ahead and paid the $100 reciprocity fee (it is a bit higher nowadays) so that I could spend the day enjoying Santiago instead of just sitting in lounges inside the sterile departures area. I have a friend who did a MR to DEL, and he chose to get a visa so that he could stay one night. So, I guess it all depends on your priorities.
I do MRs a few times a year to Chile, and while I probably could do it without clearing immigration and entering the country, I went ahead and paid the $100 reciprocity fee (it is a bit higher nowadays) so that I could spend the day enjoying Santiago instead of just sitting in lounges inside the sterile departures area. I have a friend who did a MR to DEL, and he chose to get a visa so that he could stay one night. So, I guess it all depends on your priorities.
Jan 25, 2009, 9:03 am
#6
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This is a huge issue. The airlines get hit with very large fines if they carry a passenger who is not eligible for entry and who is denied on arrival. So if you don't have a visa for a country that requires one and you get denied on arrival the airline hurts. They rarely will take that risk for you to collect miles.
Jan 25, 2009, 10:24 am
#7
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MR same day turn around Visa requirements
For HKG, NRT, SIN, BKK you do not need a visa
for SYD,,, THERE IS A TRANSIT LINE GOING BACK TO THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
FOR MEL... YOU NEED TO GO THRU CUSTOM AND IMMIGRATION AND RE-CHECK IN
THE MOST DIFFICULT PART: WILL THE AIRLINE TAKE THE RISK OF BEING FINE AND LET YOU ON THE PLANE WITHOUT A VISA FOR VISA REQUIRED COUNTRIES.
for SYD,,, THERE IS A TRANSIT LINE GOING BACK TO THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
FOR MEL... YOU NEED TO GO THRU CUSTOM AND IMMIGRATION AND RE-CHECK IN
THE MOST DIFFICULT PART: WILL THE AIRLINE TAKE THE RISK OF BEING FINE AND LET YOU ON THE PLANE WITHOUT A VISA FOR VISA REQUIRED COUNTRIES.
Jan 25, 2009, 12:47 pm
#8
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Incorrect. MEL has airside international transfers. Note that currently due to construction and holidays the door is kept shut except when the airlines advise of connecting passengers, but you can get security to open it up for you with a minor delay. There is no international transfer desk in MEL so if you do not have an onward boarding pass you will need to get it at the lounge (if flying NZ, SQ, QF or EK and have lounge access) or at the gate when the gate opens about an hour before departure.
Jan 25, 2009, 12:57 pm
#9
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For HKG, NRT, SIN, BKK you do not need a visa
for SYD,,, THERE IS A TRANSIT LINE GOING BACK TO THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
FOR MEL... YOU NEED TO GO THRU CUSTOM AND IMMIGRATION AND RE-CHECK IN
THE MOST DIFFICULT PART: WILL THE AIRLINE TAKE THE RISK OF BEING FINE AND LET YOU ON THE PLANE WITHOUT A VISA FOR VISA REQUIRED COUNTRIES.
for SYD,,, THERE IS A TRANSIT LINE GOING BACK TO THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE
FOR MEL... YOU NEED TO GO THRU CUSTOM AND IMMIGRATION AND RE-CHECK IN
THE MOST DIFFICULT PART: WILL THE AIRLINE TAKE THE RISK OF BEING FINE AND LET YOU ON THE PLANE WITHOUT A VISA FOR VISA REQUIRED COUNTRIES.
Jan 25, 2009, 7:15 pm
#10
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OK learn something new every day thanks to FT. Why does Australia require US residents to have visas but Britian does not? I always figured since Britian doesn't then Australia doesn't either. What about NZ?
Jan 26, 2009, 1:03 am
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Jan 26, 2009, 6:37 am
#12
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You are talking of 2 different countries and each has its own distinct immigration laws even if you are a US citizen. It would be nice to have a unified immigration laws worldwide for US citizens, don't you think? But again, what make us special than the rest of the world?
Feb 21, 2009, 2:22 am
#13
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I think he was suggesting not that US citizens should get special treatment but that Commonwealth countries should somehow all be the same....
It is clearly not well understood that while Australia shares a Head of State with the UK (HM the Queen) that is ALL we share... any real administrative or judicial ties went long ago....
It is clearly not well understood that while Australia shares a Head of State with the UK (HM the Queen) that is ALL we share... any real administrative or judicial ties went long ago....
Feb 22, 2009, 7:40 am
#14
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This is a huge issue. The airlines get hit with very large fines if they carry a passenger who is not eligible for entry and who is denied on arrival. So if you don't have a visa for a country that requires one and you get denied on arrival the airline hurts. They rarely will take that risk for you to collect miles.
Feb 22, 2009, 7:46 am
#15
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You are talking of 2 different countries and each has its own distinct immigration laws even if you are a US citizen. It would be nice to have a unified immigration laws worldwide for US citizens, don't you think? But again, what make us special than the rest of the world?
We don't sneak into places to lay on the street and beg for alms and charity. US Citizens may be loud, obnoxious, and rude, but we spend money, lots of it, and quite freely. Some places, if it weren't for US tourist $$$ they would be in a world of hurt.