Uk And Canada Airport Visa Required?

[DegenFarang]

I'm wondering if Thai's need a Visa for a layover in Canada or the UK. I know this is necessary in America.

Any tips on the process appreciated if they are required and expected acceptance rates

Cheers

[cdnvic]

I'm wondering if Thai's need a Visa for a layover in Canada or the UK. I know this is necessary in America.

Any tips on the process appreciated if they are required and expected acceptance rates

Cheers

By layover do you mean staying in a hotel overnight, or just waiting for an onward flight in the airport departures area?

[vinny]

See also Guidance - Transit (INF 20) and Do I need a visa if I am traveling through Canada without stopping or visiting?

[cdnvic]

Canadian Immigration's website is rather vague (on many things). Email the embassy and request specific information on transit visas for Thai nationals, and the procedure for obtaining them. (There is no cost for a transit visa)

[email protected]

Website:

http://bangkok.gc.ca/

[DegenFarang]

No hotel stay, just a layover.

We are planning a trip from Thailand to the Carribean and there is no way to get there without going through USA, Canada or London.

[cdnvic]

No hotel stay, just a layover.

We are planning a trip from Thailand to the Carribean and there is no way to get there without going through USA, Canada or London.

Many European and South American countries have Caribbean links. Which island is your destination?

[Sophon]

I'm wondering if Thai's need a Visa for a layover in Canada or the UK. I know this is necessary in America.

Any tips on the process appreciated if they are required and expected acceptance rates

Cheers

It would seem that a visa is necessary for Canada but not for the UK.

From the IATA database (i have used the Bahamas as example destination):

UK as transit country:

/ 25AUG07 / 1909 UTC

National THAILAND (TH)

Transit UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB

Visa not required if:

- continuing by same/first connecting aircraft to a third

country within 24 hours; and

- holding confirmed reservations; and

- holding documents required for next destination.

Passenger may leave the airport transit area, at the

discretion of Immigration authorities, for e.g. a nightstop

in town or if transfer between different airport applicable,

provided holding confirmed onward reservations and correct

documentation for next destination.

Minors:

if children are registered in parent's or guardian's passport:

- they may not travel without holder of passport; and

- visa in passport (if required) must indicate it is also valid

for the child(ren).

Non-compliance with transit requirements (incl. forged

documents) results in fines for carrier of GBP 2,000.- per

passenger and either deportation or indefinite delay for

passenger at point of transit (detention costs at carrier's

expense).

Flights from/to United Kingdom to/from Channel Islands, Ireland

(Rep. of) and the Isle of Man are domestic flights therefore

there is no immigration control.

Canada as transit country:

25AUG07 / 1916 UTC

National THAILAND (TH) /Transit CANADA (CA)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

CANADA (CA)

Visa not required if being in transit in Vancouver (YVR)

to/from U.S.A provided (for facility details see:

For details, click here ):

- holding confirmed onward tickets within 24 hours of arrival;

and

- clearing all necessary immigration inspections at YVR and

proceeding to the departure gate, without leaving the airside

(sterile) transit area (no overnight facilities available);

and

- being ticketed for arrival and departure with only the

following participating carriers:

Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay

Pacific, China Airlines and Philippine Airlines; and

- travelling to their final destination; and

a). if travelling to the U.S.A. passenger must:

- hold a valid U.S. visa; or

. if travelling from the U.S.A. passenger must:

- be eligible for entry to the third country; and

- have entered the U.S.A. on a valid visa, being lawfully

admited and not overstaying the period of stay

authorised; and

- not have been deported or removed from the U.S.A.

(unless being refused on a flight not cleared by U.S.

Pre-clearance Inspectors at YVR and within 7 days of

their arrival).

In all other cases:

visa required (even if not getting off the aircraft while it

is on the ground in Canada).

Non-compliance with transit regulations may result in refusal

and deportation at carrier's expense. Carrier will be liable

for an administration fee of max. CAD 3,200.-.

Sophon

[Minburi]

A note to the Op

One time I was flying back to Canada and in Hong Kong Air Canada would not allow this Thai girl to board as she did not have a transit visa. She was on the way to Carribean with a stop in Vacouver and then Toronto. United staff working the flight to Vancouver told her she was going to have to go into Hong Kong and get the visa at the Canadian embassy and would nto be able to fly out till she had it. It was sad in a few ways. 1. Thai air should have informed her in bangkok(If they knew that is) 2. She was flying on a 1 way ticket and there was no way to go back so she was stuck in Hong Kong. 3. Her english was not very good and when I talked to her she really had no idea what was going on and no one at the gate was very helpful.(I don`t really think they knew the rules either)

So the answer is yes you will need a visa to transit.

Edited August 26, 2007 by Minburi

[chinadarling]

UK is requiring visa for transfers even if you dont enter UK

part of their 'security' measures.

I'm wondering if Thai's need a Visa for a layover in Canada or the UK. I know this is necessary in America.

Any tips on the process appreciated if they are required and expected acceptance rates

Cheers

It would seem that a visa is necessary for Canada but not for the UK.

From the IATA database (i have used the Bahamas as example destination):

UK as transit country:

/ 25AUG07 / 1909 UTC

National THAILAND (TH)

Transit UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB

Visa not required if:

- continuing by same/first connecting aircraft to a third

country within 24 hours; and

- holding confirmed reservations; and

- holding documents required for next destination.

Passenger may leave the airport transit area, at the

discretion of Immigration authorities, for e.g. a nightstop

in town or if transfer between different airport applicable,

provided holding confirmed onward reservations and correct

documentation for next destination.

Minors:

if children are registered in parent's or guardian's passport:

- they may not travel without holder of passport; and

- visa in passport (if required) must indicate it is also valid

for the child(ren).

Non-compliance with transit requirements (incl. forged

documents) results in fines for carrier of GBP 2,000.- per

passenger and either deportation or indefinite delay for

passenger at point of transit (detention costs at carrier's

expense).

Flights from/to United Kingdom to/from Channel Islands, Ireland

(Rep. of) and the Isle of Man are domestic flights therefore

there is no immigration control.

Canada as transit country:

25AUG07 / 1916 UTC

National THAILAND (TH) /Transit CANADA (CA)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

CANADA (CA)

Visa not required if being in transit in Vancouver (YVR)

to/from U.S.A provided (for facility details see:

For details, click here ):

- holding confirmed onward tickets within 24 hours of arrival;

and

- clearing all necessary immigration inspections at YVR and

proceeding to the departure gate, without leaving the airside

(sterile) transit area (no overnight facilities available);

and

- being ticketed for arrival and departure with only the

following participating carriers:

Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay

Pacific, China Airlines and Philippine Airlines; and

- travelling to their final destination; and

a). if travelling to the U.S.A. passenger must:

- hold a valid U.S. visa; or

. if travelling from the U.S.A. passenger must:

- be eligible for entry to the third country; and

- have entered the U.S.A. on a valid visa, being lawfully

admited and not overstaying the period of stay

authorised; and

- not have been deported or removed from the U.S.A.

(unless being refused on a flight not cleared by U.S.

Pre-clearance Inspectors at YVR and within 7 days of

their arrival).

In all other cases:

visa required (even if not getting off the aircraft while it

is on the ground in Canada).

Non-compliance with transit regulations may result in refusal

and deportation at carrier's expense. Carrier will be liable

for an administration fee of max. CAD 3,200.-.

Sophon

[DegenFarang]

No hotel stay, just a layover.

We are planning a trip from Thailand to the Carribean and there is no way to get there without going through USA, Canada or London.

Many European and South American countries have Caribbean links. Which island is your destination?

Turks and Caicos (or however you spell that). If you could give me the names of airlines or countries that this works in I would be very very grateful. Thanks a lot.

[DegenFarang]

gah, bummer. i was so excited after reading that too, but somehow it seemed to lenient/good to be true

UK is requiring visa for transfers even if you dont enter UK

part of their 'security' measures.

I'm wondering if Thai's need a Visa for a layover in Canada or the UK. I know this is necessary in America.

Any tips on the process appreciated if they are required and expected acceptance rates

Cheers

It would seem that a visa is necessary for Canada but not for the UK.

From the IATA database (i have used the Bahamas as example destination):

UK as transit country:

/ 25AUG07 / 1909 UTC

National THAILAND (TH)

Transit UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB

Visa not required if:

- continuing by same/first connecting aircraft to a third

country within 24 hours; and

- holding confirmed reservations; and

- holding documents required for next destination.

Passenger may leave the airport transit area, at the

discretion of Immigration authorities, for e.g. a nightstop

in town or if transfer between different airport applicable,

provided holding confirmed onward reservations and correct

documentation for next destination.

Minors:

if children are registered in parent's or guardian's passport:

- they may not travel without holder of passport; and

- visa in passport (if required) must indicate it is also valid

for the child(ren).

Non-compliance with transit requirements (incl. forged

documents) results in fines for carrier of GBP 2,000.- per

passenger and either deportation or indefinite delay for

passenger at point of transit (detention costs at carrier's

expense).

Flights from/to United Kingdom to/from Channel Islands, Ireland

(Rep. of) and the Isle of Man are domestic flights therefore

there is no immigration control.

Canada as transit country:

25AUG07 / 1916 UTC

National THAILAND (TH) /Transit CANADA (CA)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

CANADA (CA)

Visa not required if being in transit in Vancouver (YVR)

to/from U.S.A provided (for facility details see:

For details, click here ):

- holding confirmed onward tickets within 24 hours of arrival;

and

- clearing all necessary immigration inspections at YVR and

proceeding to the departure gate, without leaving the airside

(sterile) transit area (no overnight facilities available);

and

- being ticketed for arrival and departure with only the

following participating carriers:

Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay

Pacific, China Airlines and Philippine Airlines; and

- travelling to their final destination; and

a). if travelling to the U.S.A. passenger must:

- hold a valid U.S. visa; or

. if travelling from the U.S.A. passenger must:

- be eligible for entry to the third country; and

- have entered the U.S.A. on a valid visa, being lawfully

admited and not overstaying the period of stay

authorised; and

- not have been deported or removed from the U.S.A.

(unless being refused on a flight not cleared by U.S.

Pre-clearance Inspectors at YVR and within 7 days of

their arrival).

In all other cases:

visa required (even if not getting off the aircraft while it

is on the ground in Canada).

Non-compliance with transit regulations may result in refusal

and deportation at carrier's expense. Carrier will be liable

for an administration fee of max. CAD 3,200.-.

Sophon

[the scouser]

To the best of my knowledge, the UK visa waiver concession is still available. Only certain nationalities require a visa even for direct airside transit, and Thai is not one of them.

From the UK Visas website as of five minutes ago:-

Scouse.

[Sophon]

UK is requiring visa for transfers even if you dont enter UK

part of their 'security' measures.

Is that information based on a Thai using the UK as a transit country, or (as your member name could suggest) someone from the PRC? The rules would not be the same and indeed a Chinese citizen would require a transit visa.

Quote IATA:

National CHINA (PEOPLE'S REP.) (CN)

Transit UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB)

Destination BAHAMAS (BS)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN) (GB

1. If holding Hong Kong (SAR China) passport or Macao

(SAR China) passport:

visa not required if holding:

- evidence of return/onward reservations; and

- documents required for next destination; and

- sufficient funds.

2. In all other cases:

Visa required, even when in direct airside transit.

Exemptions apply when holding specific resident permits or

visas for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.S.A. and E.E.A.

countries (TIRGL/EEA )and TWOV is then permitted.

For information & conditions on:

- exemptions, see: For details, click here ; and

- TWOV facility, see: For details, click here .

Type of transit visa required depends on type of journey:

- if passenger is in transit with same-day, same-airport

transfer, "A-Direct Airside Transit" visa (DATV) is

required. This visa must be obtained prior to arrival in

the UK and will allow the passenger to transit between

terminals at the same UK airport as the passenger remains

airside;

- if passenger is in transit and must change airport in the

U.K., or has an overnight stop in U.K., a valid U.K. visa

with any endorsement other than "Direct Airside Transit

Visa" is required;

- if passenger is in transit to the Channel Isl., Isle of

Man, or Ireland (Rep. of), a valid U.K. visa with any

endorsement other than "Direct Airside Transit Visa" or

"Visitor in Transit Visa" is required.

Sophon