Denied boarding due to visa with the wrong date (page 1 of 3)

Today I ended up being denied boarding at CDG. I booked the trip through a physical travel agency with no assistance for the visa application. I applied in plenty of time and got the approval. Except I put the 9th (the day I left France) as the date instead of the 10th, which is the arrival date in India. That’s what caused the denial. I’m guessing I don’t have any recourse? Thanks for your replies.

Hello,

Today I was denied boarding at CDG. I booked the trip through a physical travel agency with no assistance for obtaining the visa. I applied in time and got the approval. Except I put the 9th (day of departure from France) as the date instead of the 10th, the arrival date in India. That’s what caused the denial. I guess there’s no recourse for me? Thanks for your replies.

You can at least ask the agency to refund the airport taxes included in your flight fare. It’ll be a small consolation. For the rest, as far as I know, there’s no cancellation insurance that covers visa issues as a reason.

Thanks for the details. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what I was afraid of. Best regards

In the future, don’t forget to check out the other big travel forum to complement VoyageForum. Over the past few years (while VF was closed), the topic of Indian visas was frequently discussed and covered there, especially regarding issues with validity dates.

In the future, don’t forget to check out the other major travel forum to supplement VoyageForum. Over the past few years (while VF was closed), the topic of Indian visas was frequently discussed and addressed there, especially regarding the issue of validity dates.

Sorry, but I don’t see any other

major travel forum.

All I’ve seen is a poor, clunky, badly designed, and downright ugly forum—some kind of VF knockoff that’s really not, and I mean *really* not, a major travel forum. It doesn’t even come close to what VF was before it shut down!!!

Today I was denied boarding at CDG. I booked the trip through a physical travel agency with no assistance for obtaining the visa. I applied in time and received approval. Except I put the 9th (the day of departure from France) as the date instead of the 10th, which is the arrival date in India. This resulted in the denial. I assume I have no recourse? Thanks for your responses.

I’m trying to understand, but I just can’t... Who refused to validate this visa? I don’t get the date issue. When you apply for a visa online on the only valid site—the official consulate one—they only ask for the planned travel date... without considering the arrival date. I think your agency misled you... or maybe, like I said, I just didn’t understand. What matters for boarding is the ETA issued by the Indian consulate with the mention GRANTED. And from what you said, you had received it.

I only saw a poor, shoddy forum, really unstable and badly made, and ugly on top of that,

I agree with that opinion—there are at least two of us who think so! :) I’m talking about the forum from the paper guide of the same name, of course. But that’s another topic entirely.

... Sorry, but I don’t see any other major travel forum. I only found one poor, shaky, badly designed, and ugly forum—some kind of VF knockoff that’s really, *really* not a great travel forum and doesn’t hold a candle to what VF used to be before it shut down!!!

You’re probably talking about this other forum, not the Gdr (which never claimed to reach VF’s level)

Except that I put the 9th (day of departure from France) as the date instead of the 10th, the arrival date in India. That’s what caused the refusal.

Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that before! The opposite, sure, I would’ve understood... So a visa for entering India on the 9th wouldn’t be valid if you arrive one day later, on the 10th?! Is that even possible?

Except that I put the 9th as the date (day of departure from France) and not the 10th, the arrival date in India. That’s what caused the denial.

Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that before! The other way around, I would’ve understood... So a visa for an entry into India planned for the 9th wouldn’t be valid if you arrive one day later, on the 10th?! Is that even possible?

No, that’s just it—it’s not possible. There’s something about this story that doesn’t add up. When the forum first reopened, there was a long debate about this in another thread. Someone traveled two years AFTER getting their ETA!!! I wonder who actually denied boarding...

...a visa for entry into India planned for the 9th wouldn't be valid if you arrive one day later on the 10th?! Is that even possible?

This isn’t about a visa (stamped in your passport before departure or upon arrival in the destination country), but rather an e-visa or ETA (electronic travel authorization) for one month (I think) that was applied for and obtained too early (by one day). As a result, its validity period (30 days between the issue date and expiration date) didn’t cover the arrival date in India.

I’ll try to be more precise: I filled out the form on the official site (using the link from the travel agency’s email) and received approval for my 30-day visa. But since the agency didn’t give me any advice on how far in advance I should apply (the agency’s link was from December), I filled it out a full month before my trip, indicating my travel date as February 9th. Except I was leaving on the 9th and obviously arriving on the 10th. So for my visa to be valid, I should’ve arrived in the country on the 9th, and then it would’ve been good for 30 days. That’s why they refused to let me board at the CDG counter. Thanks for your input!

You totally got it all right 😉

Hi there,

I don’t get your situation either. You got a 30-day visa starting on the 9th, you arrive on the 10th... So where’s the issue, as long as you’ve got a ticket to return before the 30 days are up?

Michel

You absolutely nailed it 😉

Yes, thanks, that’s exactly what I thought after your first message. You applied for and got your e-visa or ETA a day too early (30 days in advance). Once issued, it’s only valid for 30 days from the date of approval. This is info that’s frequently reminded on the INDIA Forum by knowledgeable contributors (like FANZI, MAITREPO, etc.) who give great tips. It’s too bad you didn’t think to check the Guide du Routard when planning your trip, especially since VoyageForum was down at the end of last year.

A mistake that costs a fortune! The agency is reachable tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath about what happens next... thanks again.

... So the issue wasn’t so much the arrival date in India as the departure date?

Michel

A mistake that costs a fortune!

Did the agency sell you a package deal (flight + accommodation + meals + ...)?

Yes, exactly. With no guidance at all for the visa application (when to apply, what information to provide, etc.). Just an email with a link. The travel agency didn’t even ask to check if it was filled out correctly.

Hello, I’m reaching out about this topic. Did you have a direct flight? What time did you arrive in India? I go to India almost every year. In fact, I’m planning a trip there in September. Have a great day and see you soon!