Flying TG BKK-DXB, no UAE visa... experiences?
Feb 23, 2012, 1:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
Flying TG BKK-DXB, no UAE visa... experiences?
Hello,
My wife and I will be flying BKK-DXB, stopping-over in DXB for < 96h and travelling onward to North America. According to UAE consular authorities we will qualify for a Transit Visa (issued on arrival at DXB), but they also warn that some airlines / stations apparently unaware of this rule deny boarding to pax without advance visa. Any experience flying out of BKK under this arrangement?
My wife and I will be flying BKK-DXB, stopping-over in DXB for < 96h and travelling onward to North America. According to UAE consular authorities we will qualify for a Transit Visa (issued on arrival at DXB), but they also warn that some airlines / stations apparently unaware of this rule deny boarding to pax without advance visa. Any experience flying out of BKK under this arrangement?
Feb 23, 2012, 2:05 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
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I take it you are either North American, and as such, like the majority of passengers travelling through Dubai, you will be issued with a 30 day vias on arrival, very much like what happens when you arrive in Thailand. Enjoy DXB it is incredible
Feb 23, 2012, 4:45 pm
#3
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We can indeed apply for tourist visas, which would set us back CAD 250 per person. We would prefer to obtain transit visas on arrival at DXB.
So... I am still interested in first hand experiences of boarding TG flights out of BKK to DXB without a pre-arranged EAU visa.
Feb 23, 2012, 5:37 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
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I would assume any airline then would require you to have a visa, before they will fly you there. This happens to me if I fly to Vietnam, China, I have to show the airline carrying me that i have a visa to enter, if not, they do not allow you past checkin
Feb 23, 2012, 6:09 pm
#6
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Hmmm... Perhaps I am not communicating clearly. Let's try again: I am eligible to obtain the TRANSIT VISA on arrival at DXB. I have received anecdotal evidence that some airlines are boneheaded about this issue and don't recognize the said eligibility. I am trying to find out whether I should expect TG staff at BKK to recognize my eligibility to receive the said transit visa on arrival at DXB.
Feb 23, 2012, 6:17 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Canada
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You can thank Air Canada management and their government cronies on the take for this:
here are the rules for Canadians
Visa Issuance:
- A 96-hour ("Dubai Stop-over") transit visa can be obtained
on arrival at Dubai Airport (DXB) provided:
- transit time is at least 8 hours; and
- holding return/onward ticket and a hotel reservation; and
- traveling at least one sector (inbound or outbound) on
Emirates (EK).
Fee: USD 127.-. (SEE NOTE 29898) (SEE NOTE 41363)
- Facility is not applicable to passengers arriving on
SQ-flights.
- A visa can be applied for (and issued through internet
(e-Visa)), prior to arrival, if arriving at Abu Dhabi (AUH)
and Dubai Airport (DXB).
here are the rules for Canadians
Visa Issuance:
- A 96-hour ("Dubai Stop-over") transit visa can be obtained
on arrival at Dubai Airport (DXB) provided:
- transit time is at least 8 hours; and
- holding return/onward ticket and a hotel reservation; and
- traveling at least one sector (inbound or outbound) on
Emirates (EK).
Fee: USD 127.-. (SEE NOTE 29898) (SEE NOTE 41363)
- Facility is not applicable to passengers arriving on
SQ-flights.
- A visa can be applied for (and issued through internet
(e-Visa)), prior to arrival, if arriving at Abu Dhabi (AUH)
and Dubai Airport (DXB).
Feb 23, 2012, 7:40 pm
#9
Original Poster
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Location: YYZ
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rankourabu, where did you obtain these rules? I ask because UAE embassy in Ottawa provides slightly different info, both by phone and on their website at http://www.uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/ca/Content/2117:
No EK segment requirement is mentioned for issuing at Marhaba Services.
I. Transit Visas:
Transit visas can be obtained in one of the following ways:
1) Transit visas are not issued at the Embassy. As of 7 April, 2011, Canadian passport holders travelling through the U.A.E. to a third destination can obtain a 96 hour transit visa upon arrival at the airport. The traveller must:
a. Only be transiting in the U.A.E. and on their way to a third destination; i.e. not returning to the original country of departure
b. Hold a valid passport with a validity period of at least 6 months at departure
c. Present a confirmed ticket to their onward destination, proving that their stay in the U.A.E. does not exceed 96 hours following arrival
These transit visas are issued at the Marhaba Services visa office in the airport. More information on the services provided by Marhaba are available on their website.
2) Transit visas are also issued by the U.A.E. airlines: Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines. Details are provided below in section I.2.
Transit visas can be obtained in one of the following ways:
1) Transit visas are not issued at the Embassy. As of 7 April, 2011, Canadian passport holders travelling through the U.A.E. to a third destination can obtain a 96 hour transit visa upon arrival at the airport. The traveller must:
a. Only be transiting in the U.A.E. and on their way to a third destination; i.e. not returning to the original country of departure
b. Hold a valid passport with a validity period of at least 6 months at departure
c. Present a confirmed ticket to their onward destination, proving that their stay in the U.A.E. does not exceed 96 hours following arrival
These transit visas are issued at the Marhaba Services visa office in the airport. More information on the services provided by Marhaba are available on their website.
2) Transit visas are also issued by the U.A.E. airlines: Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines. Details are provided below in section I.2.
Feb 26, 2012, 7:39 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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rankourabu, where did you obtain these rules? I ask because UAE embassy in Ottawa provides slightly different info, both by phone and on their website at http://www.uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/ca/Content/2117:
No EK segment requirement is mentioned for issuing at Marhaba Services.
No EK segment requirement is mentioned for issuing at Marhaba Services.
Feb 26, 2012, 6:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Hmmm... Perhaps I am not communicating clearly. Let's try again: I am eligible to obtain the TRANSIT VISA on arrival at DXB. I have received anecdotal evidence that some airlines are boneheaded about this issue and don't recognize the said eligibility. I am trying to find out whether I should expect TG staff at BKK to recognize my eligibility to receive the said transit visa on arrival at DXB.
Is it possible to contact Marhaba Services--and maybe have them scan/fax some sort of transit visa-on-arrival issuance assurance that you could print out and show TG? A long shot.
Other options include doing nothing and gambling you will be allowed on board, or changing routing to avoid DXB. Yes I realize there are potential costs with the first if you gamble and lose, and definite costs with the second.
Last edited by jiejie; Feb 26, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Feb 27, 2012, 7:20 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Correct me if I am wrong,but aren't these penal regulations against Canadian citizens (unlike the rules for US) are due to the Canadian government restricting EK landing rights?
Feb 27, 2012, 10:39 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
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EK subsidizes the cost of the Visa so it is cheaper if you buy an airfare. You can book them online through their website (or Ethiad's).
As a Canadian, flying a Star Partner (with a stop) through UAE is an expensive experience. I researched taking a cheap flight on TK from IST to DXB and just found that it was too expensive when compared with a side trip TK IST-CAI. I decided against it.
There was no break in the Visa Fee for me. However, I have heard that if you stay airside (secure side) you don't need a visa.
Better take a copy of the rules with you to check in if you are going to chance it.
As a Canadian, flying a Star Partner (with a stop) through UAE is an expensive experience. I researched taking a cheap flight on TK from IST to DXB and just found that it was too expensive when compared with a side trip TK IST-CAI. I decided against it.
There was no break in the Visa Fee for me. However, I have heard that if you stay airside (secure side) you don't need a visa.
Better take a copy of the rules with you to check in if you are going to chance it.
Feb 27, 2012, 4:27 pm
#14
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Yes. Its because Air Canada management is in bed with the government - and is pushing their buttons in restricting EK access.
Feb 28, 2012, 6:49 am
#15
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Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
Caved in. Will get a visa
Well, I looked at Timatic as well and decided to shell out the CAD 500. That little note about "traveling at least one sector (inbound or outbound) on
Emirates (EK)." convinced me. Oh well, we only live once; might as well not waste the time on visa-related denied boardings. Thanks for your answers!
Emirates (EK)." convinced me. Oh well, we only live once; might as well not waste the time on visa-related denied boardings. Thanks for your answers!