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On November 28th, 2014, in Moscow, the airport Domodedovo, I had my valid ticket to the U.S. going through Moscow-Frankfurt => Frankfurt-Toronto => Toronto-Minneapolis, MN. I hold a F-1 U.S. visa, and am a citizen of Tajikistan. When I came to the check-in counter, handed my passport to the representatives to print me my boarding pass and check my luggage in, they told me I needed a transit visa transiting through Canada, not going through Germany, therefore they did not check me in nor gave me my boarding pass. I checked Canadian embassy whether I needed a transit visa it says YES. below is the snapshot:

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Then I tried calling the Canadian consulate in Moscow but there wasn't anyone assisting visa questions. I tried calling the ticketing agency I purchased the ticket from but they weren't any helpful in rebooking different tickets using the same airline before my departure time. At the end I was forced to buy new tickets to fly to the U.S. My questions or was my ticketing agency supposed totl inform me via email to get a transit visa? Was it a legit reason for the representative at a check-in counter in Moscow not allowing me to use my ticket? Would I have a good reason to claim a report for some kind of refund saying the agency didn't inform me I needed a transit visa? Or is it always up to the travelers to know they need it?

Thanks! I'm just a full-time student and spending extra $650 is just too much for just not knowing about this Canadian transit visa.

JonathanReez
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user2486873
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1 Answers1

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In general, it is the passenger's responsibility to ensure that they obtain any required visa(s) before commencing travel. The airline will check the passenger's passport to see whether they have the required visa(s), but it is still the passenger's responsibility to get them. (The airline checks because they are responsible for returning you to your point of origin if you arrive somewhere without a required visa.)

The check-in representative did what they were required and refused you boarding. Your ticket agent probably said something like "visas are the responsibility of the passenger". However, the ticket agent should have made this very clear to you because of your requirement for a Canadian transit visa.

Greg Hewgill
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  • You're absolutely right about the ticking agency just mentioning about the visa. It says on the web site that all the travelers are responsible about collecting their now required documents before traveling. When I just talked to the representative at the Air Canada, she told me that the agency should send me an email about me getting the visa. I'm just curious if my complaint case will be strong enough to get some percent refund of my "no show" ticket? – user2486873 Dec 03 '14 at 19:32
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    @user2486873: Unfortunately, I would guess probably not. You would have the "conditions of carriage" on your ticket. I would be surprised if the airline would give you even a partial refund. – Greg Hewgill Dec 03 '14 at 19:35
  • Ok. What about agency's representatives not being able to find me a new ticket to rebook before the departure time? Would that strengthen the case? – user2486873 Dec 03 '14 at 19:38
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    The airline has zero responsibility here. The travel agency should have warned you that you need a visa, but odds are very high that the ticket conditions say that you are responsible for your own visas. So unfortunately there is mostly likely nothing you can do. – lambshaanxy Dec 03 '14 at 21:39
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    The travel agency, assuming you only used it to book the tickets, technically has no responsibility here, either. They should have informed you about the transits, but since a flight ticket is required to get a visa (in most cases), they issue the tickets first. Unfortunately I too agree with the others that you won't be able to get a refund. – AKS Dec 03 '14 at 22:57
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    If there is such a thing as Yelp for Moscow travel agencies, I suggest linking to this post from there. Their performance was unprofessional, but that is not the same thing as their owing you a refund. – Andrew Lazarus Dec 04 '14 at 08:56
  • they're always unprofessional especially in Domodedovo airport especially for central Asians regardless of us coming from former soviet republics. There's so much unfairness and injustices around that area.. but when they see the US visa, Green Cards or US passport then they automatically change their tone as if we can bribe them fairly. Sad world exists still... – user2486873 Jan 23 '18 at 18:20