Are electronic visas not acceptable for boarding a plane?
I have recently received an Australian student visa from Pakistan and now I want to travel through Oman Air. It's a connected flight with two stops, one in Muscat and the next one in Abu Dhabi. I have contacted a few travel agents to book the ticket but they are telling me that there is a possibility that the airline won't let me board the plane in Muscat because I have an electronic visa and not a stamp or sticker on my passport of my student visa. Is there a risk in travelling through this flight on an electronic Australian student visa?
Best Answer
Your travel agent is very confused.
Australia has not issued physical visas for several years - everything is electronic. Whilst it was previously possible to request a physical visa in your passport at an additional cost, even this option has now been removed by the Australian Government.
The airlines have the ability to check your visa electronically at the time of check-in, and will be able to see that you have a suitable visa, and in particular see that you have a visa that does not require a return ticket.
Edihad (who fly the leg your travel agent is apparently worried about) have been flying to Australia for many years will definitely be able to carry out this check.
As a backup it would be worth carrying a print-out of your Visa details, either from the approval email or from the Australian Governments visa site, although this should not be needed.
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Do you need a visa to board a plane?
It's quite normal to book a flight before getting a visa. In fact (as I had to last week) you may have to produce the flight booking in order to secure the visa! As the accepted answer indicates if you don't have a visa (and you do require some kind of visa to land) they'll generally prevent you from boarding.Do I need a US visa for a connecting flight?
Yes. There is no transit at US airports and you will need to clear both Immigration and Customs at your first point of entry into the US regardless. You will need either an ESTA or a Visa. If you are unable to get either one, suggest you find an alternate route that avoids the US.Can you transit in US without a visa?
ESTA is required in all cases of entering the U.S. Travelers must apply for and receive ESTA even when transiting in the U.S. to a third country without a visa. You must apply for ESTA in any of the following cases: transit, transfer, or stopover (layover).How long does it take to get electronic visa?
How long will it take for my EVUS enrollment to be approved? The vast majority of EVUS enrollments will be processed within minutes; however, it may take up to 72 hours. CBP recommends enrolling in EVUS well in advance of your planned travel.All Visa Types Explained! | Visa on Arrival vs E-Visa vs ETA vs ESTA Application
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Answer 2
Electronic visas are acceptable for boarding, as long as you check in with the travel document used to issue the Visa.
While some around here insist APIS (APP in Australia's case) is just an elaborate smoke screen, the details you enter are in fact checked, including your visa status.
This is documented by the Australian Border Force: Advance Passenger Processing
Answer 3
For anyone who needs the answer for the same thing:
I did not face any kind of trouble through either of the airlines. The trip was smooth and hassle free. Seems like the travel agents in my country don't know much about their stuff.
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