This article introduces someAvoid transit from the U.S.Due to complicated document requirements, long processing time and extra money expenditure, transiting from the United States does not give people a good experience. However, it is sometimes not so easy to get around the United States, because the US airport is the hub of many airlines, and most ticketing websites do not provide options such as "not transiting from the United States".
Please note that the transit countries in the detour routes provided in this article may require a visa. Please be sure to check the visa requirements of all transit places.
What difficulties do you encounter when changing opportunities in the United States?
Unlike other countries, the U.S. government does not allow joint transfers, which means that any passenger arriving in the U.S. needs to go through customs and immigration inspections, even including:
- Transfer: You transfer to another flight without leaving the airport
- Stopover: Your flight lands at a US airport and loads and unloads passengers or cargo
- Technical stop: Your flight will only land in the United States due to technical reasons. For example, some flights between Asia and Canada will refuel in Alaska
In these cases, all passengers have to pass immigration inspection. Although the details of the policy are sometimes different from those in the United States, this policy also applies to things likeGuam、Puerto RicoSuch American overseas territories. Please also note that sometimes the itinerary does not mention the technical stopovers of the flight, so please check the flight route carefully.
In view of the complexity of the immigration inspection process, it is recommended that passengers allow more than 4 hours of transit time. In addition, all passengers including connecting flights will be photographed and fingerprinted during the inspection.Visa Waiver ProgramForeign travelers also need to apply for a C1 transit visa in advance. This visa has a higher probability of being refused because the visa requirements look very similar to the B2 tourist visa. When applying for a US visa, you also need to pay a visa fee of US$160.
If you have been refused entry or overstay before, and you have been advised that future entry may be refused, your transit may be denied. This situation is not worth your risk.
If your itinerary ends in Mexico or Canada, the visa exemption may not apply, even if you are an eligible applicant, because visa regulations will treat some travel in North America as a category that does not leave the United States. If you just take a one-way trip For flights or staying in the United States for more than 90 days, an official visa is required. It will definitely be easier and cheaper than taking a detour.
It should be noted that the airline will also check whether you are qualified before boardingvisa, If you show in their system that you needvisaBut if you don’t, you will be denied boarding. Those who do not have a visa and do not meet the visa exemption conditions will be regarded as refusal to enter and repatriate, which will cause trouble for your future entry into the United States.
Border security
The United States, like other countries, has extremely complete border security measures. Any traveller may be detained, searched or questioned, or even arrested or deported. The United States also has a no-fly list. If you are on it, you will not be able to board a flight that passes through US airspace, even if it does not land in the United States (for example, a flight from Mexico to Canada). Like most authorities, customs facilities are not transparent, and it is almost impossible to know the reasons why the customs took certain actions.
Critics point out that the US judicial system is “routinely abused,” and that racial profiling for specific races may make it easier for the authorities to treat them as terrorists or illegal immigrants. Even searches of American dissidents have been questioned as unconstitutional. For example, in 2002, a Canadian citizen was arrested on his way back to Canada and deported to Syria, where he claimed to have been abused.
Security-checked luggage may also be opened and searched. Here are some TSA can easily openTSA lockIf you are not using this kind of lock, the locks and bags will be exempt from damage by customs.
U.S. citizens
There may also be difficulties for U.S. citizens. They will be required to return to the country with a U.S. passport. A dual-national U.S. citizen may get into trouble if he enters the country with a passport of another country. At the same time, unlike other countries, the United States actually imposes taxes on their citizens. If they do not declare their "foreign income" (even if they do not) when they re-enter the country, they may also get into lawsuits for not reporting taxes.
If you were born in the United States, you will be considered a U.S. citizen unless your parents issue a diplomatic statement or renounce your nationality. This kind of absurd thing does exist, but it will only happen if your parents were illegal immigrants when you were born. People who renounce their nationality should carry a statement of renunciation before obtaining approval from the U.S. government (which may be a U.S. consulate/embassy overseas).
U.S. airspace
Although this article contains several routes to avoid landing in the United States, you should still avoid passing through U.S. airspace when planning your itinerary. For example, one inU.KwithMexicoIt is very likely that the flights operating betweenCanadaarriveLatin AmericaAll flights pass through U.S. airspace.
All flights passing through the U.S. airspace are required by the U.S. government to provide complete passenger information, even if they do not want to stop in the U.S. If your name is on the no-fly list or other watch lists, the airline is likely to deny you boarding. In the worst case, the plane will be forced to land when it is over the United States, and you will be arrested afterwards.
Via Canada
Can be fromEuropeorAsiaDeparture throughCanadaTo reach multipleCaribbeanwithSouth AmericaDestination. This is for when there is no entryAmericaCircumstances are also useful for traveling around the world. FromEuropeCity toMontrealwithTorontoWaiting for Canadian cities,VancouverwithTorontoDirect or non-stopSeoul、Tokyo、Shanghai、HongkongwithSydneyService.
In some cases, passing through Canada may not be a better option. Similar to the United States, Canada alsoNo one is allowed to cross the border[Needs explanation], And require passengers who transfer between international flights to undergo customs and immigration inspections. Starting from March 15, 2016, all people who can travel to Canada without a visa must apply except for U.S. citizenseTA, If they are changing planes. It is similar to ESTA in the United States, but unlike ESTA, Canadians are also asking about employment and other issues. You can also only pay for eTA via credit card.
In addition, with the exception of a few countries, virtually everyone who needs a visa to enter the United States needs a visa to enter Canada (because the latter has removed several such countries from its visa-free list in the past few years). Canadian transit visa is free in theory at least, and the possibility of approval is usually better than that of the United States, but it is still a visa you need to apply for and wait for processing, and for some countries (mainly frommiddle EastwithAfrica), applicants will have to provide their biometric technology and pay a separate fee of 85 Canadian dollars for this. In addition, if you have a criminal record, including drunk driving, because this is a felony under Canadian law, it may be more difficult for you to enter Canada than to enter.
Via Europe
Go to north america
- Mexico City Follow Amsterdam、London、MadridwithParisDirect flights departing from.
- Cancun Direct flights are also possible from many European cities.
Go to South America, Central America
- Sao paulowithBuenos Aires existAmsterdam、Frankfurt、London、Madrid、PariswithRomeAll have good service routes.
- Lima Originated fromAmsterdam、MadridwithParisDirect flights.
- San Diego Can be fromFrankfurt、MadridwithParisDirect.
- Many South American cities fromLondon、MadridorParisIt is easy to reach.
- Some airlines (such as Spanish Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) fly directly from Europe (such as Madrid or Amsterdam)PanamaorCosta RicaFrom there, regional airlines can take you to more destinations in South America.
- CaracasCan be fromFrankfurt、Madrid、PariswithRomeDeparture direct.
Go to caribbean
- Bermuda Can be from LondonDirect flight.
- Jamaica、Antigua、Barbados、Trinidad and Tobago、Saint LuciawithSt. KittsIt can be reached from London Gatwick Airport of several airlines.
- HavanaIt is a direct flight to several cities in Europe. From there, there are flights connecting Latin America, other Caribbean islands and other Cuban cities.
- Saint MartinDirect access to Paris and Amsterdam.
- From Frankfurt there is direct access to Barbados and Saint Lucia (one departure per week).
- GuadeloupewithMartiniqueDaily byParisServices provided by flights.
- Condor Flugdienst provided fromFrankfurtarriveDominican RepublicSanto Domingo’s services and offers toCosta RicaSan Jose's services.
If you want to takeCruise to the Caribbean, And you need to avoid transiting in the United States, it is difficult to find a suitable cruise ship. Mainly caters to U.S. tourists, most of which start and end atFloridaSomewhere (Miami, Key West and Tampa), many of the rest begin and end inPuerto Rico, This is part of the United States. There are some European cruise companies operating cruises in other parts of the Caribbean, but please check the cruise itinerary carefully before booking. There are other US territories in the Caribbean.
From oceania
Go to Central and South America
Can be from AustraliaSydneyNew ZealandAucklandarriveSantiago, ChilewithBuenos Aires. These flights are much shorter than the journey through North America, but less frequent, and may be more expensive; reservations are required in advance. Both cities have travelled to other parts of South America andMexicoFlight.
Then there is a rather peculiar option that may be expensive; perhaps it is something considered for global adventure. French PolynesiaofBabitiAvailable from some other cities in Oceania, and JapanTokyoThere are flights available. From there, LATAM Chile passedEaster islandFly toSantiago, Chile。
go to Canada
Please note that using trans-Pacific flights to Canada, there are many transits through the United States, especially throughSan Francisco、Los AngeleswithHonolulu。
- Air Canada (Air Canada) fromAustraliaOperate a daily non-stop flightCanadaFlight. Daily flights currently fromSydneyDirect flightVancouver(And go on the same planeToronto). You can also continue to book via Auckland or major transit points in Asia (e.g.Tokyo、Singapore、BangkokwithHongkong). In each case, check whether the flight is a direct flight or passes through Vancouver as the first stop. The particular problem with flights to Toronto is throughLos Angeles International Airport(LAX) Airline.
- Air New Zealand(Air New Zealand) fromAucklandarriveVancouverDirect flights. Please note that stop atCook IslandFlight will passLos Angeles International Airport(LAX) Airline.
You can also go through the Asia Center such asHongkongorBangkokArrived in Canada. SeeLow cost routes in Asia。
Transit from Asia
To South America and Central America
There is a one-stop connection from Asia to South and Central America through major European transit stations such as London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, but this is a long journey. Passengers to South America may consider transiting via Oceania (as described above) or Southern Africa (as described below). And there are some direct flights on the Pacific Ocean:
- Mexico CitywithTijuanaYou can take AeroMéxico fromTokyoarrival.
- AeroMéxico also operates weekly through TijuanaShanghaiFlights to Mexico City.
- Emirates Airlines (Emirates Airlines) fromDubaiFly toSao paulo、Rio de JaneirowithBuenos Aires。
- Qatar Airways fromDohaDirect flightSao pauloAnd fly directly from thereBuenos Aires。
Please note that from Tokyo toSao pauloJapan Airlines (JAL) service in New YorkJohn F. Kennedy International Airport(JFK) Docked.
Singapore Airlines also flies from Singapore to Sao Paulo, but stops in Barcelona. However, as long as the tourist's next journey begins on the same day, most nationalities do not require a Spanish transit visa.
Go to Canada
In major Asian airports, there are many non-stop flights to Vancouver operated by Asian and Canadian airlines. In particular, Vancouver is the closest North American gateway to Asia.
Recently, many non-stop flights from Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Manila, and Shanghai to Toronto have been added. This is because Toronto has a large number of Asian immigrants and business contacts. However, some flights from Hong Kong to Toronto will refuel in Alaska, please pay attention when purchasing tickets.
Transit from Africa
South African Airways hasJohannesburgarriveSao pauloThe route of TAAG Angola fromLuandaFly toRio de Janeiro、Sao paulowithHavana. From West Africa you can fly toCape VerdeofPalia。
Generally speaking, there are fewer direct flights from Africa to North America, which are not in the U.S., so fly there firstEuropeMight be a good idea, with one exception,Egypt AirWorth flyingTorontoRoute, whileRoyal Air MarocWorth flyingMontrealRoute, but forAfricawithmiddle EastFor residents,Transit in Canada is not necessarily better than transit through the U.S.。