3 ms·

The fact that transit visas are something you need to apply for, pay fees, and risk being refused (and that going into a permanent record) makes no sense for me

by alextp 16y ago

The fact that transit visas are something you need to apply for, pay fees, and risk being refused (and that going into a permanent record) makes no sense for me.

WildUtah 16y ago
Note that you have to show up for an in-person interview with documentation about your job, family, and finances just to apply for a transit visa. The appointment for the interview costs $140. And the visas are frequently denied without explanation. No refunds.
- geoka9 16y ago
  Not to mention the incredibly detailed application that takes several hours to fill out.
gamble 16y ago
It's because American airports stupidly don't have sterile transit, unlike practically every other country. I'm a Canadian, and when I transfer through LAX and go through customs, I pop out in the arrivals area. There's nothing to stop me from hailing a cab.
- georgieporgie 16y ago
  Last time I went to Japan, I connected through Vancouver airport in Canada. I had to go through Canadian customs because they don't segregate all international flights. Bizarrely, the customs guy looked at my ticket, then asked how long I intended to stay in Canada (my connecting flight was in ~2hrs). For the same reason, on return, I couldn't bring back any Japanese booze from the airport. I had to go through a second liquids and customs check at YVR.
  - iujyhfgtrtgyhju 16y ago
    Canada does have transit lounges - but Vancouver is a bit odd. They have pre-cleared US immigration, so you have effectively 3 airside zones domestic/US/International. So if you are coming off/going to a US flight from an international one you have to go out and back in. There is a US <-> International security gate but it's not normally staffed And screw ups happen - I lost a Lufthansa bottle of champagne they gave me on board for screwing up my seat. At a change in Frankfurt the we had to be bussed from the plane to the terminal - the bus dropped us outside security and I lost the sealed Lufthansa labeled champagne to the security desk.

by alextp 16y ago

The fact that transit visas are something you need to apply for, pay fees, and risk being refused (and that going into a permanent record) makes no sense for me.

WildUtah 16y ago

Note that you have to show up for an in-person interview with documentation about your job, family, and finances just to apply for a transit visa. The appointment for the interview costs $140. And the visas are frequently denied without explanation. No refunds.

geoka9 16y ago
Not to mention the incredibly detailed application that takes several hours to fill out.

gamble 16y ago

It's because American airports stupidly don't have sterile transit, unlike practically every other country. I'm a Canadian, and when I transfer through LAX and go through customs, I pop out in the arrivals area. There's nothing to stop me from hailing a cab.

georgieporgie 16y ago
Last time I went to Japan, I connected through Vancouver airport in Canada. I had to go through Canadian customs because they don't segregate all international flights. Bizarrely, the customs guy looked at my ticket, then asked how long I intended to stay in Canada (my connecting flight was in ~2hrs). For the same reason, on return, I couldn't bring back any Japanese booze from the airport. I had to go through a second liquids and customs check at YVR.
- iujyhfgtrtgyhju 16y ago
  Canada does have transit lounges - but Vancouver is a bit odd. They have pre-cleared US immigration, so you have effectively 3 airside zones domestic/US/International. So if you are coming off/going to a US flight from an international one you have to go out and back in. There is a US <-> International security gate but it's not normally staffed And screw ups happen - I lost a Lufthansa bottle of champagne they gave me on board for screwing up my seat. At a change in Frankfurt the we had to be bussed from the plane to the terminal - the bus dropped us outside security and I lost the sealed Lufthansa labeled champagne to the security desk.