What happens if your flight is diverted to a country where you don't have a visa?
When a flight is diverted mid-journey to a country where passengers do not hold valid visas, the next steps depend on local immigration rules, airport infrastructure, and the reason for diversion. Such situations are managed through established protocols by airlines and immigration authorities to ensure passenger safety and compliance with entry laws.
The question has gained renewed attention after
Air India
diverted multiple long-haul flights on June 13 due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace following Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
What to expet if your flight is diverted
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Passengers are usually not required to have a visa if the aircraft lands briefly due to operational reasons—such as refuelling, weather conditions, or technical issues—and travellers are kept on board or within the
international transit area
of the airport. In these cases, since the passenger is not officially entering the country, immigration clearance is not needed.
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However, if passengers must disembark due to extended delays or safety reasons, the handling depends on the airport's transit facilities and the country's visa policy. Travellers without a valid visa are generally held within a transit area or kept under supervision until arrangements are made for onward travel. Entry into the country beyond these secure zones is not permitted without a visa.
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If an overnight stay is necessary due to flight delays, some countries allow limited entry through a
temporary transit visa
or special permit issued at the airport. This is usually coordinated by the airline in consultation with immigration officials. In such cases, passengers may be accommodated in designated airport hotels.
Airlines are typically responsible for managing communication with local authorities, providing support to affected passengers, and arranging alternative travel plans. Passengers are not penalised or deported if the diversion was beyond their control.
Entry rules vary from country to country. For example, countries such as the United States or those within the Schengen area generally do not allow any form of entry without a valid visa. Others, such as Qatar, Singapore or the UAE, may offer more flexible transit options under specific conditions.
To prepare for such situations, travellers are advised to keep copies of all essential travel documents and check visa requirements for any countries along their flight path. Some destinations also provide transit visa waivers under defined rules. Travel insurance covering flight disruptions is also recommended.
Travel disruptions are handled with the intent of minimising passenger hardship. Immigration authorities and airlines usually coordinate to ensure compliance with the law while protecting the rights of travellers in emergency situations.
Iran closes airspace, 16 Air India flights diverted
Air India diverted sixteen of its long- and ultra-long haul flights on Friday after Iran closed its airspace in response to Israeli military strikes. The airline confirmed that alternative arrangements are being made to transport passengers to their destinations.
Air India issued a travel advisory citing passenger safety as the primary reason for rerouting its flights. 'In view of the safety of our passengers, some of the Air India flights are either being diverted or are returning to their origin,' the airline said.
The following diversions were confirmed:
AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna
AI102 – New York-Delhi – Diverted to Sharjah
AI116 – New York-Mumbai – Diverted to Jeddah
AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Mumbai
AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai
AI119 – Mumbai-New York – Returning to Mumbai
AI103 – Delhi-Washington – Returning to Delhi
AI106 - Newark-Delhi- Diverting to Vienna
AI188 – Vancouver-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah
AI101 – Delhi-New York – Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan
AI126 – Chicago-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah
AI132 – London Heathrow-Bengaluru – Diverted to Sharjah
AI2016 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna
AI104 – Washington-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna
AI190 – Toronto-Delhi – Diverted to Frankfurt
AI189 – Delhi-Toronto – Returning to Delhi
Air India stated that it is coordinating with airport and immigration authorities at the alternate locations to assist passengers. Ground teams are providing support for layovers, including accommodation and transit arrangements where required. The airline has not specified when regular operations will resume but said all efforts are being made to transport passengers to their final destinations safely.
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