Due to concerns over a surge in the number of Turkish asylum seekers to the United States, Turkish Airlines will be implementing more stringent control measures for passengers headed to South American countries.
The new changes were confirmed by Turkish Airlines, who said that passengers travelling to Brazil, Cuba, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela will be subject to additional control requirements set by these countries, VisaGuide.World reports.
Some additional controls may be applied to our passengers who have flights arriving in Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Brazil, apart from the general rules such as passport and visa requirements. Since the country’s authorities may deny entry to the country with respect to the following requirements, similar controls can be carried out during boarding.
Additional Control Measures Include Presenting Visa, Hotel Reservations, & Invitation Letter
Passengers to Venezuela are required to use Caracas Simon Bolivar Aiport to enter the country. Those who have to continue their flight with a transfer have first to enter Venezuela.
Passengers entering Venezuela must have with them the visa confirmation (travel purpose), paid accommodation proof for the entire stay, return ticket and notarized invitation letter.
Due to the entry requirement to the country, Passengers with connecting flights must meet the visa and other conditions valid for the country whose passport they have.
The measures have been introduced due to concerns over an increasing number of Turkish citizens reaching the United States through Mexico and Canada to seek asylum.
| Country | Requirements for flights | Entry Requirements & Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | – There is no transfer possible at Caracas Simon Bolivar Airport without entering the country. Passengers who will continue their flight with a transfer have to enter Venezuela, collect their luggage if there’s any and check-in using the relevant airline’s counter for the next flight.
– Due to the entry requirement to the country; Passengers with connecting flights must meet the visa and other conditions valid for the country whose passport they have. |
– Visa (Suitable for travel purpose) – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Return ticket – Official invitation letter (Notarized) |
| Mexico | – Transit Visa in case of transit flight – In case of a transit flight, flight ticket for the next flight – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Return ticket for round-trip journeys (provided that the flight ticket date is within the visa validity period for countries that require a visa) |
– Mexico Electronic Visa (SAE) (Provided that the same document is not reused) – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Return ticket |
| Colombia | – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Return ticket included in the same PNR for round-trip journeys (provided that the ticket date is within the visa validity period for countries that require a visa) – In case of a transit flight, transit time must be less than 24 hours |
|
| Panama | – A valid visa for passengers whose final destination is Panama or who will transit through Panama (For countries that require a visa). – Return ticket for round-trip journeys (provided that the visa is within the validity period for countries that require a visa) – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – For transit flights, the transfer time should not exceed 12 hours. |
|
| Cuba | – Return ticket for round-trip and transit journeys (provided that the visa is within the validity period for countries with visa application) – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Passengers who do not have enough cash or valid credit card for the duration of their stay can be rejected |
|
| Brazil | – Return ticket for round-trip and transit journeys (provided that the visa is within the validity period for countries that require a visa) – Hotel reservation (Already paid and covering the travel period) – Transit flights should not exceed 24 hours. – Passengers who do not have enough cash or valid credit card for the duration of their stay, can be rejected |
Turkish Airlines Accused of Denying Boarding to Russian Passengers for ‘Odd Reasons’
More stringent requirements have been implemented by Turkish Airlines prior to the announcement of tighter control measures since some Russian passengers have been denied boarding their flights to South American countries in the last two weeks.
Those who were denied boarding included passengers without luggage, which corresponds with the rules of Brazil, which does not allow boarding for those without luggage who are visiting for extended periods.
This situation led to many of the affected passengers not being able to receive a refund on their travel tickets, although the Airline issued a document communicating that passengers denied entry were eligible for a full refund and accommodated on the next available flight.
The official Turkish Airlines website reveals that seven flights are operated to Colombia every week, in addition to 11 to Mexico, eight to Venezuela, four to Cuba and 11 to Brazil.
