Quote:
Originally Posted by Butch Cassidy Slept Here
PHONE AHEAD TO THE INDIAN EMBASSY IN THE COUNTRY OF TRANSIT: If I were transiting a country in which I was unsure of the entry/exit requirements I would phone ahead to the US Embassy. In fact I did just that several years ago and saved myself a lot of problems. NEVER, NEVER rely on what an airline tells you when it comes to entry/exit requirements!
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Excellent advice. Not always feasible when one finds themselves on an extended layover due to a late arriving aircraft. My reason for posting about the other complaint was to point out issues of immigration, customs, passport and visa requirements are not regulated by the airlines. Yes it is incumbent on the airlines to verify those documents are in the passengers' possession prior to travel however it is the responsibility of anyone traveling abroad to be aware of what is needed for each individual country they visit. When issues arise you can't really blame the airline as they are not the ones enforcing the laws.
The OP pointed out that Indian travelers transiting the UAE are able to expeditiously obtain temporary visas allowing them to stay at nearby hotels and tour the city. The OP still did not make the distinction between the airline and the government:
Quote:
Originally Posted by akshaj1986
Finally regarding the Air France-India issue, i would like to bring it to your notice that if such a incident were to happen with Emirates airlines,they will arrange a UAE 24 hour visa and accomodate and feed you during the delay.
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(bolding/emphasis mine)
It is not Emirates who takes care of this process but the government of the UAE which his highly efficient. In the other example we're talking about the French government. Really, what can one expect. It's really not prejudice it's just that anything involving a government agency in France is mired in red-tape. I really wouldn't expect anyone to be immediately issued an emergency temporary visa in a country where you can't buy a stamp in a post office! You need to go to a tobacco store for that.