An Indian woman on an H-1B visa recently shared her horrendous experience with Lufthansa customer service while flying back home.
Taking to Reddit, she gave details of her journey from the US to India via Frankfurt. Her visa stamp had expired, but she had a valid I-797 extension and a Canadian tourist visa. Her legal status was clear, but it seems not so for Lufthansa.
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She called the airline twice. Both times, they refused to help and told her to contact the German embassy on a weekend, when her flight was the next day.
Panicking over her situation she decides to take her chances at the airports. She explained her status to the check-in agent, showed the old visa stamp, the new I-797, and the Canadian visa.
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Luckily, the agent was reasonable and allowed her to board. No transit visa was needed.
But the stress she felt leading up to her flight was completely avoidable. Allegedly, Lufthansa’s own staff couldn’t offer answers on the phone, yet the agent at the desk sorted it out in minutes.
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Many people report facing this confusion, especially Indians who allege that the airline was ignorant of their queries. Some say it’s the fallout of past visa fraud by Indians.
Either way, the H-1B holder suggests that her fellow Indians, flying on an expired visa stamp, be prepared for drama. Or better, don’t transit through Europe at all.
