Hi all,

Hope this doesn't sound like an odd question, but it's really puzzling me...

Basically, it's in relation to this - I'm waiting on approval for a K Visa... and I'm trying to think ahead IF I get approved (please I hope so, can't stand the waiting!).

Is it possible to book a return flight to the US from the UK (which is far cheaper than getting a one-way flight) - and then just not turn up for the return flight?

So, when I do head to the States on the K visa, are the immigration people going to ask 'why have you booked a return flight' and cause problems.

Cheers all.

We're planning on booking a round trip and not using the return half. You can do that, but if you book a flight and don't use the FIRST half, or the first part of any flight with connections, then the rest will be cancelled.

You're allowed to go back to your home country briefly to sort out any loose ends (ie sale of a house) so I don't think they'd question it.

yes

no

Yes

No

no

My advice is to book the return as far as humanly possible in the future, say 6-9-12 months or so. Take the first trip over, and then you have this return ticket that is valid in say 6 months or whatever.

Should some emergency present itself in the next XX months, you can then just pay the change fee and go home.

No sense in booking a return a week later that you know you will not make. Why not book it 9 months later and maybe...well, it's there if you need it.

That's a good idea...I might do that myself.

You'll also want to play around with the return date to make sure it's cheap i.e. don't book the return for the middle of July, when trips to Europe are more popular.

The return date should make very little or no difference to the price on consolidator tickets, it is the date of the outbound leg that governs it.

If they did, you'd reply "'cos it was cheaper"

That works for an Immigrant Visa, or perhaps a K-3 but not someone entering on a K-1 visa. Someone on a K-1 cannot just turn right around and leave the USA again. They have to wait for an Advance Parole travel document first.

Rene

that's funny I was thinking of posting about the same thing. I'm due to go in 6 weeks and it costs twice as much for a one way ticket as it does for a return. So I can book a return ticket and cancel it at a later date?

Yes, or use the return later.

Another 'feature' of booking the return far in advance is that the chances of the airline changing or cancelling the flight increase over time. If the airline cancels out you'll get a full refund of the return fare, even if the original ticket was a no-refund variety if you are the one that cancels it.

I'm so glad others were thinking the same question too... thought I was the only one

Thats great advice all - I can book a return ticket, and just book the return for 7-8 months after I arrive... so simple when someone else says it!

Fingers crossed... let me know how it goes Meryl!