Why does Ryanair do visa check twice?
"Ryanair requires that all non-EU citizens report to the check-in counter to verify their immigration status" (quote). Let's leave discussion about "why" aside for a moment. This question is about "how".
In my recent experience, they do it twice. First time on a "Check in/bag drop/visa check" desks (sometimes those are separate). Second time is on the gate as the boarding happens. AFAIR on all of my recent flights they did it twice. Why do they do it second time?
It is very reasonable to match your identity, your passport and your boarding pass at the gate, no questions here. But for whatever reason they always recheck the visa as well. Why? The visa check stamp is already there, you get it on the desk, and doing visa check at the check-in desk is mandatory, so what's the point of spending additional time verifying the visa again?
Or, if this happens to be the new way the company operates, does it mean visa check at check in desks is no longer required?
Note that if your are flying out of Schengen, you also have to go through immigrations passport control, and those officers can also verify that you hold visa to your destination. That is fine, and not a subject of this question. The question is specifically about additional visa check Ryanair performs at the boarding gate.
Best Answer
Because it is better for them (and for you) to do it twice.
The physical check-in is optional, now many people check-in online or at various electronic kiosks, so a check should be done at gate, there is no other place that company staff have all passengers.
But what happens if on check-in they give you a ticket and later you will be refused to board and all done by people of the same company? So it is good to have the visa checked also earlier, so that nobody could complain. And it reduce costs of retrieve an already sent baggage. (the first check is usually not only on check-in but also on baggage drop-in for automatic check-ins).
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Why does Ryanair check visa?
Your boarding pass will display this information for routes that you must comply with this Visa/Document checks requirement. Non-EU/EEA passengers must do this in order to ensure compliance with immigration authorities. We reserve the right to refuse travel, if there is a failure to comply with this requirement.Why does my Ryanair boarding pass say restricted?
It means that you are flying a restricted route and you need to prove your eligibility for it. Visa/ right to reside etc. You haven't said your route so suspect it covid related restrictions based on entry eligibility on your destination.How do I check the status of my Ryanair visa?
If you need a visa check, it will clearly say so on your boarding pass. Check-in staff can perform the visa check. Otherwise look for any employee in Ryanair uniforms \u2014 at big bases like London Stansted (STN), there will be ground staff directing passengers into different check-in queues.Can you pay cash on Ryanair?
In the interests of public health and hygiene, in light of the risks associated with cash handling highlighted by the Covid-19 crisis, we only accept credit and debit card payments for fares, taxes, fees, charges, ancillary services and inflight purchases.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ann H, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Alexander Suhorucov