Return flight ticket requirements
 

I've got my brother flying in from Tokyo - where he lives - for my wedding; he's only bought a one way ticket because he's flying onto NYC then London after that for a trip home.

My question is: I know the airline will have a fit if they don't see a return ticket, but will an E-ticket/regular ticket to London be enough evidence to prove he doesn't intend to stay?

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Might help if he is flying with the same airline. Call the airline as its their responsiblity to take your brother home if he is not allowed in the US.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

I would like to think that proof of his subsequent travel arrangements would be enough (print out of booking confirmation), but you never can tell these days - commonsense is no longer that common I'm afraid.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

I have a friend who does this all the time.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Yep - should be fine. You need to demostrate "signs of onward travel" - they don't care where you are going...

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

It's not that he doesn't have return flight tickets, is it? He has them but they're with different airlines due to his destinations.

He'll have tix from FL to NY to London to Tokyo so have him print out the itineraries for each leg of his journey. That should suffice.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Excellent, thanks guys.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

It will be fine - my friend did this recently from Singapore to LA with no return but an onward ticket to London. They didn't even question her about it.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Right then. So what happens if you genuinely intend to fly into the US on a one way ticket, then drive across the border into Canada and fly home from there but havent fixed a date to fly out of Canada so therefore have no ticket.

How can they prove/argue that you DON'T intend to drive into another country from the US?

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

POE don't have to give you any reason to not admit you, so basically if that's your plan, have proof that you've reserved a car rental and the like....

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Can not help but be amused at the thought of a POE Officer being put to the sword this way.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

I'm not sure you can do this. I think you need to have proof that within 90 days of entering the US you plan to leave for a country that isn't Canada or Mexico, unless you're a resident there. I've never been asked to show my travel tickets/booking confirmations at immigration desks though. They've just asked if I had a ticket to somewhere else - "yes I do" is enough.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

They don't have to prove anything. A qualifying return/onward ticket is mandatory for entry by air/sea into the U.S. on the visa waiver scheme, so you could easily be refused entry. In fact, an airline might not sell you a one-way if you were planning on using the visa waiver scheme.

If you had a valid U.S. tourist visa, or a Canadian/Bermudian passport you could do this, however you would still need to convince the Immigration officer you were not planning to stay in the U.S.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

How would they know?

I was asked once at the check in desk, coming back from Mexico, they assumed VWP but I said no, AP, and that was it. I always wondered if they knew what AP was.

Never been asked otherwise.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

BA wouldnt let me on a plane to JFK with a one way ticket. (Pre visa and green card days). They even walked me over to the ticket counter to watch me buy a return ticket.. they were not happy about it at all. I thought it was rather amusing. Apparently they get fined $3000 dollars for everyone who gets to american customs without a return ticket or correct visa.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

As long as you have evidence of onward travel (itineries etc) you'll be fine.

But be prepared for some 'special' treatment at security. TSO get very nervous of people on one way tickets (or with Scottish accents apparently) :rolleyes:

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Haha, happened to me too once. I had to travel to the US frequently last year on the waiver program. It sucks being a younger adult male... I have some strange stories... Your friend is probably going to be fine though. I found there's about 1 asshole to the 6 non-assholes at immigration.

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

Yeah but the 6 non-assholes are usually lined up waiting their turn to speak to the 1 asshole ;)

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

and then some :D

Re: Return flight ticket requirements
 

my funniest immigration experience was back in the day when the guy inspected my wallet for cash and credit cards and was a little alarmed at how little money i had for a supposed 3 month stay... i just said "i'm a student..what do you expect?" he laughed and waved me through..