Proof of Onward Travel

Huckster

I'm going to study in the Middle East and there have been delays in issuing a visa due to extreme weather conditions which closed down governmental offices over Christmas. I will need to enter the country on a tourist visa, but only have a one way ticket and when I asked the embassy here if there would be a problem with this, they said that I may be asked for proof of return or onward travel. Just wondering what I should do? My options seem to be:
- print off a fake return ticket using flight information from skyscanner.ie (wary of doing this but heard it worked for others)
- get a really cheap flight to somewhere nearby which I won't use
- pay a lot more to get a return ticket home and keep paying the fee to delay it til I want to visit (perhaps in a year, possibly later)
- explain my situation to border control and hope they allow me in based on my documents

Any advice appreciated!

Stinicker

Buy a cheap throw away ticket.

Huckster

I was thinking of doing that but I was worried they'd find out it was a fake and jeopardise my chances of getting a visa, since security there is very tight

Miaireland

Contact the airline you are flying with. Some of them allow you buy a return ticket without a date that can be used within a year. I know a few students studying aboard and have open ended return tickets to come back when they are finished studying/travelling.

I would be wary of buying a throw away ticket.

MadsL

Miaireland wrote: »

Unless emigration decide to check with the airline to check you are on that particular flight list. There is only a tiny chance of it happening but I would risk my place in my course/the cost of flying there etc/ and being not allowed into the country for so many years. I am guessing the don't take well to fake documents.

Not like immigration services have access to flight passenger manifests or anything...oh wait.

Stinicker

...

For example in America you can have all your paper work perfect and satisfy every condition going and still get refused entry, I know because it almost happened to me, got pulled into the room and questioned for almost an hour before my flight. I think what stood to me was that I answered everything truthfully, did not get angry and also explained how I had visited the USA multiple times before and complied with all regulations and left on time within the 90 days of the VWP.

Two years later I had to visit the USA again and fearful of the same occurrence I got a Holiday Visa, when I entered the country I asked was I deported before and I just explained how I was given a thorough questioning before at Shannon and had applied for a Visa as a result. Border Agent couldn't have been nicer and explained there was nothing on me to indicate I needed a visa and I was just selected at random.

My rule when travelling is keep your head below the radar and do nothing to attract unnecessary attention and always have your paper work in order because you never know when you will get questioned.

Miaireland wrote:

Contact the airline you are flying with. Some of them allow you buy a return ticket without a date that can be used within a year. I know a few students studying aboard and have open ended return tickets to come back when they are finished studying/travelling.

I would be wary of buying a throw away ticket.

An open return would be of no use for example in countries where you are limited to say 30 or 90 days unless the ticket specifically stated that you had to use it within the 90 days etc. to comply with visa requirements. In countries like the USA you need proof of onwards travel from the country within the set time given (90 days in the US case), double dipping where you'd cross the border to Canada or Mexico and return for another 90 days is generally prohibited, but in some countries like Thailand it is tolerated and many foreginers take a return flight over the border to Cambodia or Laos returning the same or following day to get another valid passport stamp.

The country you are travelling to the Middle East would shed alot of light on this question as many Irish expats are out there currently and maybe able to shed light on the situation?

My advise is to abide by the local immigration rules and if you need a return ticket to enter a country (but are unsure if when you'll leave) then book ticket to a third country, this will help satisfy local immigration in the country you are flying into.

You can also book a flexible ticket with some airlines which will allow you to get a refund on the ticket if you wish to cancel it, these tickets are more expensive than buying the cheapest airfare but when you get the refund afterwards it may end up cheaper than buying a cheap ticket you never intend to fly on. Some airlines charge an admin fee for this and some don't.

For example Aer Lingus offers their Flex Fare which allows the ticket price to be refunded once cancelled before the actual time and date of travel. The admin fees such as additional baggage and Credit/Debit card fees are not refunded but on a oneway flex fare that is only €7 anyway since the flexfare includes free baggage already. If the situation was in Ireland this would be a great solution as when you'd cancel the ticket it would end up just costing you €7, far cheaper than even the cheapest Ryanair ticket abroad.

kerry4sam

Miaireland wrote: »

Contact the airline you are flying with. Some of them allow you buy a return ticket without a date that can be used within a year. I know a few students studying aboard and have open ended return tickets to come back when they are finished studying/travelling.

I would be wary of buying a throw away ticket.

Okay, I am closing this thread as it is not suitable for our forum. You should always abide by the local immigration rules and possibly follow the advice I've quoted above here.

Also, Camp David has now received a ban from our Travel forum for the advice provided by them (now deleted).

Thanks,
kerry4sam