Sunbound

Just wondered if you can come in on a one-way ticket on a tourist visa ?
Does the requirement for a return ticket change perhaps if you get a 6 month visa? and or if you provide evidence of funds to purchase a return ticket?
Any help much appreciated,
Sunbound

Bermudashorts

I think the question is ... why would a tourist come over on a one way ticket? Would you be able to elaborate on why you ask?

quoll

Absolutely the point, why would you come on a one way when two one ways are so much more expensive than a return. You can see why an immigration official could ask difficult questions.

moneypenny20

I thought if you were coming on the longer term tourist visa it would be acceptable to do a one way? Maybe you'd have to have an open return? (just occurred to me).

tartankoala

Am guessing this'll be related to this thread?

I'm no Immigration Officer but I've watched enough Border Patrol to know that someone arriving on a Tourist Visa without a return ticket (or onward journey ticket) would set the alarm bells off. If they try it then best be prepared to be interviewed.

mikewest

My guess is that you could do it without any difficulties if for instance you had a one way ticket onwards to NZ or Thailand or somewhere else to show them if you are questioned. This is all predicated on you being on a world tour or some such. A one way ticket with no onward plans could get you a very quick return ticket if the TV shows are to be believed.

Elmo2552

I came in on a WHV with a one way ticket. My partner went through immigration at the same desk as me, validating his PR. I was fully expecting to have to answer some questions but we were no even looked at twice! Must have honest faces!

Pollyana

A WHV is easier to do on a one way ticket as it is valid for a year, and you generally can't book a return more than a year ahead. Fir a shorter tourist visa it can be harder though.

canadaeh

Agree, everyone I know who came on a WHV came on a one way (it’s expected), you can’t book a ticket more than a year in advance and a lot apply for the second year visa. A tourist one is very very different.

Sure, wont immigration notice on your incoming passenger card – it asks you how many days you are staying in Australia and for specific dates. Surely if you leave that blank it’s going to raise questions, and not to mention the system knows if you have a return ticket or not. They know they pattern of people, that’s how they catch drug runners, they notice the way the ticket was bought, what awkward flights they had (odd connections) etc.

This sounds horrible, but the OP’s parents seem to want to fiddle the system, and as horrible as this sounds I hope they get caught and turned back – it’s not fair on people who are waiting outside for their PR, it’s also abuse of the tourist visa system.

But that’s just my opinion.

MrCro

mmmm, think this threads about to kick off like the container one did!

moneypenny20

I actually get the impression they are trying to do the right thing but possibly going the wrong way about it. On the other hand it is quite possible that they are just trying to work out the best way to do what needs doing without spending money on return tickets and seeing if they can be here as soon as possible whilst doing the whole visa thing. I think it's all legit, it's certainly more legit that some of the queries in the Immi forum If you don't know every nut and bolt of a migration process you have to ask, just because you don't know doesn't mean you're trying to fudge the system.

So, Sunbound, it looks like they'll have to get a return ticket or an onward ticket to NZ or somewhere like that.

canadaeh

Will that work though? Will they not look that they have a 1 way ticket to New Zealand and think.. hmm.. are they going to stay in NZ?

They’d probably be best getting a return, at least an open ticket.

moneypenny20

I don't know to be honest. Would passport control care what happens after they, in theory, leave Australia? If they have a long tourist visa, sort out the parent one whilst here, they don't have to use the NZ leg but it would be less money to pay out compared to a return to UK leg?

I think I'll move this to Immi, someone who knows 100% factually may be able to confirm yea or nay. A call to a migration expert could be the way forward.

Pollyana

The Aus authorities won't care about whether they are going to stay in NZ, they will see that as a NZ issue. All they will want to see is s valid ticket for onward travel at some point If they travelled on to NZ then the NZ authorities wold be the ones concerened about them staying there.

MrCro

When I first went to Oz on a one year only work contract I had a one year return with BA.

The company retained me for 2nd year so I got a refund from BA which from memory was about the same differnce as buying a one way ticket would have been.

Don't know if that would still be the case but it might solve the issue?