Travel to India with Advance Parole

R

reyi

Registered Users (C)
Facts:
My H1B has expired
My AP is valid until 1st Aug 2005
I want to travel to India.

Questions:
Which airline do i use? which country must I go via?

I called up Air India (Chicago) office. THey have categorically said, if i do not have a valid visa on my passport, my Advance Parole does not count.

Someone told me that, the flight that goes from New Jersey via Paris does not de-plane at Paris. I asked the chicago air india office about this. She said that if they do a flight check and notice that we only have a Advance Parole, they will not allow you to board the flight.
She asked me to use a different airline other than Air India

Assistance:
Can anyone please suggest me which airline to use and which country to go via so that i do not have a problem while returning to the USA at any one of the airports?

Thanks much
 
From recent postings, it seems like most of the European countries have standardized the rules regarding Transit Visas, so you are better off just getting a Transit Visa for whichever country you are flying thru. I have had the bad experience of not being able to board the flight the day of my departure to India, so I had to waste a day, go to the French Consulate the next day and get a Transit Visa and fly out the next day. You are better off just getting the Transit Visa in any case.
 
rg585 said:
From recent postings, it seems like most of the European countries have standardized the rules regarding Transit Visas, so you are better off just getting a Transit Visa for whichever country you are flying thru. I have had the bad experience of not being able to board the flight the day of my departure to India, so I had to waste a day, go to the French Consulate the next day and get a Transit Visa and fly out the next day. You are better off just getting the Transit Visa in any case.
Click to expand...


Could you please tell me which airline you used and which city you flew out of?

thanks very much for your input.
 
rg585 said:
From recent postings, it seems like most of the European countries have standardized the rules regarding Transit Visas, so you are better off just getting a Transit Visa for whichever country you are flying thru. I have had the bad experience of not being able to board the flight the day of my departure to India, so I had to waste a day, go to the French Consulate the next day and get a Transit Visa and fly out the next day. You are better off just getting the Transit Visa in any case.
Click to expand...

Hi...one more question.

Did you find out at the Immigration desk or at the airline check in counter?

thanks
reyi
 
I flew Delta from Atlanta to Mumbai via Paris.
I had the problem when I went to check-in.
And this was in April 2003.
 
reyi said:
Facts:
My H1B has expired
My AP is valid until 1st Aug 2005
I want to travel to India.

Questions:
Which airline do i use? which country must I go via?

I called up Air India (Chicago) office. THey have categorically said, if i do not have a valid visa on my passport, my Advance Parole does not count.

Someone told me that, the flight that goes from New Jersey via Paris does not de-plane at Paris. I asked the chicago air india office about this. She said that if they do a flight check and notice that we only have a Advance Parole, they will not allow you to board the flight.
She asked me to use a different airline other than Air India

Assistance:
Can anyone please suggest me which airline to use and which country to go via so that i do not have a problem while returning to the USA at any one of the airports?

Thanks much
Click to expand...


Why should u've problems if ur AP is valid?
check the authorizarion statement on AP which states that you
are allowed to travel outside US until expiration of ur AP.
 
fast_gc_seeker said:
Why should u've problems if ur AP is valid?
check the authorizarion statement on AP which states that you
are allowed to travel outside US until expiration of ur AP.
Click to expand...

You are missing the point here, the AP definitely allows you to re-enter the US. THe point in discussion here is the Transit Visa for Paris.
 
rg585 said:
You are missing the point here, the AP definitely allows you to re-enter the US. THe point in discussion here is the Transit Visa for Paris.
Click to expand...

But if you have a US visa, you do not need the transit visa. On the other hand if you have AP, you do need a transit visa. So I don't understand how does having a US visa meet the requirements of transit visa for Paris ??
 
sertra2002 said:
But if you have a US visa, you do not need the transit visa. On the other hand if you have AP, you do need a transit visa. So I don't understand how does having a US visa meet the requirements of transit visa for Paris ??
Click to expand...


This is the email i received from air india reservations.

YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A TRANSIT VISA
PLEASE CONTACT THE UK CONSULATE
IF YOU ARE HOLDING A VALID USA VISA ON YOUR PASSPORT AT THE TIME OF TRANSIT, OR HOLD A GREEN CARD (WHITE CARD ONLY) ISSUED ON ARE AFTER 21APR1998 YOU DO NOT NEED A TRANSIT VISA.
HOWEVER IF YOUR USA VISA VALIDITY ON THE PASSPORT HAS EXPIRED AND YOU ARE HOLDING A VALID PAPER EXTENSION OR PAROLE OR I94 OBTAINED FROM THE USA IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES, OR HOLD A GREEN CARD ISSUED BEFORE APRIL 1998, YOU WILL NEED TO OBTAIN A TRANSIT VISA.
THANK YOU
 
rg585 said:
I flew Delta from Atlanta to Mumbai via Paris.
I had the problem when I went to check-in.
And this was in April 2003.
Click to expand...


Do you need the transit visa for the outbound flight to India or for the inbound flight to US?

Thanks
 
reyi said:
Do you need the transit visa for the outbound flight to India or for the inbound flight to US?

Thanks
Click to expand...

They will normally issue you a Transit Visa for the duration of your trip. You man need to take a copy of your itinerary or your ticket with you. I think mine was issued for 60 days or so, so that I could use it for the return as well.
 
rg585 said:
They will normally issue you a Transit Visa for the duration of your trip. You man need to take a copy of your itinerary or your ticket with you. I think mine was issued for 60 days or so, so that I could use it for the return as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks much
 
abc13 said:
Hi,

I have a doubt. I heard that we don't need transit visa if we are travelling via. Amsterdam. Is that right?
Any reply is highly appreciated...

Thanks
abc13
Click to expand...
Your best bet is to check with the consulate of the country that you plan to travel via.

You can also call the respective airlines for a second opinion.
 
max2k1 said:
Your best bet is to check with the consulate of the country that you plan to travel via.

You can also call the respective airlines for a second opinion.
Click to expand...

If you have time in your hand, then it will not harm you to get the transit visa. This will save you time and anxiety. These guys keep changing the rules and on top of that, if you end up speaking with the wrong guy at the consulate or the airlines, he may give you incorrect information.

People who are at the check in counters at the airport, they know the best but they are never the guys who pick up the phone when you call up customer service. I had a bad experience once, when my flight was going via canada. I lost couple of days when they made me get a transit visa for canada. The airline check in people refused to take us aboard and we had to return home with all bag and baggage with entire family back...It cost us lot of money, time and were completely frustrated....
 
reyi said:
If you have time in your hand, then it will not harm you to get the transit visa. This will save you time and anxiety. These guys keep changing the rules and on top of that, if you end up speaking with the wrong guy at the consulate or the airlines, he may give you incorrect information.

People who are at the check in counters at the airport, they know the best but they are never the guys who pick up the phone when you call up customer service. I had a bad experience once, when my flight was going via canada. I lost couple of days when they made me get a transit visa for canada. The airline check in people refused to take us aboard and we had to return home with all bag and baggage with entire family back...It cost us lot of money, time and were completely frustrated....
Click to expand...

Exactly my point. Better be safe than sorry !!! A little time and money invested in a Transit Visa can prevent all Frustration at the time of check-in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top