Adventures in Immigration

HavanaMike · Sep 14, 2009

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Immigratioin officer: Passport please
Looks at passport
Immigration officer: How many days in Costa Rica?
Me: 9
Immigratioin officer:Where is your return ticket?
Me: It’s electronic, I’ll be going to Miami next Friday
Immigratioin officer: I need the ticket.
Me: Can you look in the system for American Airlines for next Friday?
Immigratioin officer: You need your ticket or I can’t let you in.
Me: I have a ticket, it’s electronic, I’m flying to Miami next Friday.
Immigratioin officer: Without a ticket, you’ll need to go to the Taca desk
Me: But sir, I have a ticket.
Immigratioin officer: Shakes his head no and calls over security guy to escort me to Taca desk inside the airport
At Taca service desk back inside the airport:
Lady at Taca Desk: Hello sir, would you like to buy a ticket?
Me: No, I have a ticket for next Friday to Miami.
Lady at Taca Desk: On Taca?
Me: No ma’am, it’s on American Airlines
Lady at Taca Desk: Their office is closed, you’ll need to buy a return ticket to enter Costa Rica.
Me: But I have a ticket, it was bought over the internet.
Lady at Taca Desk: But I can’t see that in our system. And the American Airlines office is closed.
Me: I understand their closed, but if I can get access to the internet, I can show you my reservation code and my itenerary.
Lady at Taca Desk: We can’t give you access to the internet, you’ll need to buy a ticket.
Me: I already have a ticket.
Lady at Taca Desk after looking at her computer for a minute: Sir, I can give you a ticket to Guatemala for next weekend for $330. Would you like that?
Me: Why the on earth would I want to go to Guatemala when I have a ticket to Miami for the same weekend?
Lady at Taca Desk: If you buy the ticket and show it to immigration, you can leave the airport. Otherwise, we will have to send you back.
Me: Back to where?
Lady at Taca Desk: Where did you arrive from?
Me: Havana
Lady at Taca Desk: Then we will send you back to Havana tomorrow.
Me: Really? You can send an American citizen involuntarily to Havana?
Lady at Taca Desk: Unless you buy a ticket…
Me: How much is a fully refundable ticet to Guatemala?
Lady at Taca Desk: $330.
Me: So I can buy this and return it tomorrow?
Lady at Taca Desk: You can use it to go to Guatemala
Me: But can I return it if I change my mind
Lady at Taca Desk: No
Me: Then it’s not refundable, is it?
Lady at Taca Desk: But you can change it if you want for a fee
Me: Can you call the Immigration Supervisor, I’d like to go back to Havana
After a while, an immigration officer comes and a conversation takes place between them and the officer asks me to follow him. We go back to the immigration desks and speak to a lady. She asks how many days I’ll be in Costa Rica. I tell her I’m going to Miami next weekend. She nods, stamps my passport, and hands it to me.
Is there stupid syrup in the water here?:think2:
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Fightfan · Sep 14, 2009

YES there is !

kingbill · Sep 14, 2009

On the way back from Florida in July, American Airlines wouldn't let us get on the plane unless we had onward travel. I just bought the two cheapest fully refundable tickets.

The Person at the desk in Miami and the American Airlines counter in SJ said a bus ticket is fine.

The Next Time I travel I will carry one with me...

Darkness · Sep 14, 2009

It must be the same water the people who buy cigars off you at 300% retail are drinking... box of cuban cigars cost $80 last time I checked...

HavanaMike · Sep 14, 2009

Darkness said:
It must be the same water the people who buy cigars off you at 300% retail are drinking... box of cuban cigars cost $80 last time I checked...

I can assure you where I buy mine from are quite different from where your friend in front of the Rey gets his...
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SVT_Cobra · Sep 14, 2009

Darkness said:
It must be the same water the people who buy cigars off you at 300% retail are drinking... box of cuban cigars cost $80 last time I checked...

They were fake.

Darkness · Sep 14, 2009

$80 is what they cost in Cuba... top of the line.

HavanaMike · Sep 14, 2009

Darkness said:
$80 is what they cost in Cuba... top of the line.

Ok, so all you need to do is buy a ticket ($398), take the taxis to and from the airports ($45), pay the exit taxes and visas ($61), rent a casa in Havana for a couple nights ($90), eat in Havana ($140), take taxis around Havana ($90), Oh... I almost forgot, buy your box of cigars for 80cuc ($100).

Your at $924 Genius. Can I have fries with that?

Darkness · Sep 14, 2009

You should be grateful customs doesn't "red flag" you for your little cigar smuggling enterprise you got going there slick...

JudgeWapner · Sep 14, 2009

Before I got residency, I used to keep a bus ticket to Nicaragua in my wallet.

AdamSelene · Sep 14, 2009

Airline asks for a return ticket, I just show them a credit card and say I can buy a ticket when I need it. No clerk has ever offered further argument.

Immigrations asks for a return ticket, you give them your printed itinerary (itinerary number, confirmation number, flight information). I've never been asked for it YMMV. I always intended to tell them I'm leaving by sailboat, but I've never gotten the chance.

Don't argue, and don't tell them you don't have something, just give them something you have that isn't quite what they asked for, and make a point of having lots of papers (they don't like to read).

Worst argument I got into was with TACA about flying back to Costa Rica from Bogota without a yellow fever vaccine. Colombia does not require yellow fever vaccination, doesn't even recommend it if you are only visiting major cities. Neither Costa Rica nor the United States requires their citizens to have yellow fever vaccine to go to nor to return from Colombia. Costa Rica just decides to treat non-Costa Rican citizens coming from Colombia as if they live in Colombia. The alternative flight TACA offered me was to Panama City... with a 6 hour layover in Costa Rica (lol).

I think you just got bad luck, I've never been asked for return ticket by CR immigrations; but if it becomes a habit I'd just make the habit of printing out fake boarding passes, it's not like they can verify anything. Or bus tickets, even less verifiable.

Oh, and technically they'd have to deport you to the United States. That's a major reason why passports are required to travel, it designates the country obligated to accept your sorry ass.

wolfie_cr · Sep 14, 2009

Adam Selene said:
Airline asks for a return ticket, I just show them a credit card and say I can buy a ticket when I need it. No clerk has ever offered further argument.

Immigrations asks for a return ticket, you give them your printed itinerary (itinerary number, confirmation number, flight information). I've never been asked for it YMMV. I always intended to tell them I'm leaving by sailboat, but I've never gotten the chance.

Don't argue, and don't tell them you don't have something, just give them something you have that isn't quite what they asked for, and make a point of having lots of papers (they don't like to read).

Worst argument I got into was with TACA about flying back to Costa Rica from Bogota without a yellow fever vaccine. Colombia does not require yellow fever vaccination, doesn't even recommend it if you are only visiting major cities. Neither Costa Rica nor the United States requires their citizens to have yellow fever vaccine to go to nor to return from Colombia. Costa Rica just decides to treat non-Costa Rican citizens coming from Colombia as if they live in Colombia. The alternative flight TACA offered me was to Panama City... with a 6 hour layover in Costa Rica (lol).

I think you just got bad luck, I've never been asked for return ticket by CR immigrations; but if it becomes a habit I'd just make the habit of printing out fake boarding passes, it's not like they can verify anything. Or bus tickets, even less verifiable.

Oh, and technically they'd have to deport you to the United States. That's a major reason why passports are required to travel, it designates the country obligated to accept your sorry ass.

no, he got an agent who knew the rules.

having a credit card (that may or may not have $ to buy the ticket) is not the same as having a ticket

should this situation happen all that you need to do is buy a fully refundable ticket and you are in the country you cancel it and get your $ back

also , you are deported back to your point of origin NOT your country of residence , at that point the airline is also fined for a few thousand dollars

I suggest you do NOT do the fake reservation thing, misrepresenting facts to immigration can sure end VERY ugly (even if its a very very unlikely thing )

as a matter of fact the airline that flew him in to CR without having an exit ticket to start with COULD have been in lots and lots of trouble...should this have happened in the US/Canada/etc (any country that enforces their laws.....and where Havana Mike is not a resident/citizen) etc it would have been MUCH MUCH ........uglier

AdamSelene · Sep 14, 2009

Print an unbooked Expedia itinerary, they wouldn't know the difference and you didn't lie. But for CR sounds like bus ticket is the ticket. (I still want to tell them I'm leaving by sailboat).

wolfie_cr · Sep 14, 2009

Adam Selene said:
Print an unbooked Expedia itinerary, they wouldn't know the difference and you didn't lie. But for CR sounds like bus ticket is the ticket. (I still want to tell them I'm leaving by sailboat).

as to the first part........interesting theory, if the reservation was created more than 24 hours before (or whatever time they give you to pay ) then the reservation code would show as not valid (IF they would go to the trouble of verifying this), I of course would not try that personally with say....US immigration.....if someone asks for a ticket ...its a ticket...not a reservation.

as to the second part that would be very interesting....this thing that we are talking about.......ALL should have happened in Havana.....as the airline should not have even allowed Havana Mike to board. So the problem would be to convince the person in charge in HAV to put his job on the line. Best case everything goes right and they let you in...worst case they would deny you boarding. I am sure the airline has a case of refusing any responsability if all you can do is talk (without any verifiable evidence)

the fine in the case of CR is 1000 dollars (I have seen other countries that have much higher fines in case they find out that an airline flew someone without complying with the requirements)

AdamSelene · Sep 14, 2009

As I said, at the check-in desk I just tell them I have a credit card and can buy a ticket when I want, they've never argued...for what it's worth.

I mean give them your itinerary, if they actually read it all and figure out it's not booked, agree with them: you haven't decided if you want to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday yet. Unlikely.

Only accepting a physical ticket is idiotic given the airline won't give one to you unless you pay extra and ask for one.

It would be nice if the they actually did check your entry requirements on boarding. If Iberia told my wife she needed 65 euros equivalent per day of stay in cash, she could have just walked up to an ATM, there are at least three (BAC, Scotia and BCR) in the airport here. I still hold Iberia responsible for that mishap.

HavanaMike · Sep 14, 2009

wolfie_cr said:
as to the first part........interesting theory, if the reservation was created more than 24 hours before (or whatever time they give you to pay ) then the reservation code would show as not valid (IF they would go to the trouble of verifying this), I of course would not try that personally with say....US immigration.....if someone asks for a ticket ...its a ticket...not a reservation.

as to the second part that would be very interesting....this thing that we are talking about.......ALL should have happened in Havana.....as the airline should not have even allowed Havana Mike to board. So the problem would be to convince the person in charge in HAV to put his job on the line. Best case everything goes right and they let you in...worst case they would deny you boarding. I am sure the airline has a case of refusing any responsability if all you can do is talk (without any verifiable evidence)

the fine in the case of CR is 1000 dollars (I have seen other countries that have much higher fines in case they find out that an airline flew someone without complying with the requirements)

I know this sounds pretty bad, but judging by the flag on their shirt, I don't see them doing any work that requires any thought, or work that requires them to gather any additional data... They clearly had no access to any American Airlines data. So I'd bet an itinerary would have been enough.

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AdamSelene · Sep 14, 2009

Havana Mike said:
They clearly had no access to any American Airlines data. So I'd bet an itinerary would have been enough.

I'd say there is no risk at all here, other countries I'd be more wary. My wife said the Spanish immigrations authorities call the hotels you are staying at to confirm your reservations-- yet I still can't find the requirement you have advanced hotel reservations for your entire trip in Europe.

wolfie_cr · Sep 14, 2009

Havana Mike said:
I know this sounds pretty bad, but judging by the flag on their shirt, I don't see them doing any work that requires any thought, or work that requires them to gather any additional data... They clearly had no access to any American Airlines data. So I'd bet an itinerary would have been enough.

you are playing with fire here trying to game a system that you (nor I) fully understand

example, APIS, when you leave from here to the US...the airline sends ALL the data they have about your ticket to US authorities , name of the system is APIS

now all airlines (well, all the big ones) are tied into systems called GDS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_reservations_system) so any competent travel agency......could simply take the record you give them.and your name........and see it

regarding American Airlines in specific......do you seriously think that the goverment cant call AA and ask them if they have such and such person if they wanted to?? I will remind people that AA doesn't just 'do business' but instead are required to comply with a set of rules....and part of that is to ensure that they don't fly people ineligible to enter a country

this situation happens ALL THE TIME that an American or European finds out that....yes Virginia....countries do have admittance rules that the airlines have to enforce

wolfie_cr · Sep 14, 2009

Adam Selene said:
As I said, at the check-in desk I just tell them I have a credit card and can buy a ticket when I want, they've never argued for what it's worth.

...(for now and in specific in your cases.....they did ask Mrs Wolfie to buy an exit ticket....this happened on the very trip that she took to get her residence paperwork.....they sold her a ticket to Managua LOL! but it was refundable.)

the entry requirements to CR are specific in that you need funds AND a ticket ....now if you go to the copa link I posted later it says "all visitors must hold documents required for their next destination"

now you can see that if someone wants to be a total pain....they will say "ok you have a ticket to Guatemala.....and then....do you have a ticket OUT of Guatemala?"

Adam Selene said:
Only accepting a physical ticket is idiotic given the airline won't give one to you unless you pay extra and ask for one.

this is gone because paper tickets simply do not exist in most cases....only very specific countries have not adhered to IATA regulations regarding etickets.......in other words....sometimes you may not get a 'paper ticket' even if you PAY the fee.

Adam Selene said:
It would be nice if the they actually did check your entry requirements on boarding. If Iberia told my wife she needed 65 euros equivalent per day of stay in cash, she could have just walked up to an ATM, there are at least three (BAC, Scotia and BCR) in the airport here. I still hold Iberia responsible for that mishap.

I sympathize with you.....unfortunately the airlines are under no obligation to do the homework for their clients. In the past you could blame the travel agent...since noone everyone books their trip online.......well its up to the customer. They could put a link to a page that displays entry requirements for passengers........

something like this http://www.copaair.com/Sites/CC/ES/Pages/timatic.aspx and make sure everyone checks it

wolfie_cr · Sep 14, 2009

fwiw

I dont fly american much these days ....unless its somewhere in the carribean where only AA flies

but if you have a continental reservation code....and the last name

you punch it in here

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/reservation/default.aspx

and you can see how much the ticket cost.........how it was paid, etc etc......all this info is not really secret

and just as a proof that 'they' have more info (or well..SOMEONE does)

http://www.arinc.com/news/2009/06-04-09_arinc_delivers_apis_service_for_costa_rica_agency.html

whether or not the drones at the immigration booths use it.......or have access to it ...its another story.....

but to claim they cant verify the info you are giving them is just not correct