Hi there, it’s Ernest from Trip Astute.
In this video, we’re going to explore the issue of onward travel, and why you may need
to show proof that you will be leaving the country the next time you travel.
(light chiming music)
When most of us travel, it tends to be roundtrip.
This means that when we get to our destination, we have an itinerary that shows
that we will be traveling out of the country.
But did you know that many countries won’t allow you to enter if you don't have proof
that you'll be leaving the country?
It’s actually quite common, and the reason is that they don’t want people overstaying
their tourist visas.
This can definitely be a problem for adventurous travelers, backpackers, and digital nomads
who may be traveling for extended periods of time, but without an exact itinerary or
plan.
The process is confusing and inconsistent too.
Many countries may not state that they require proof of onward travel, but may informally
enforce it once you arrive in the country.
Also, some airlines may require it when you check-in to your flight as well.
I’ve heard that this can be a
problem in places like Thailand, where it’s not only beautiful, but the cost of living
is cheap.
Thailand, for example, has had to crack down on people overstaying their visa, and will
sometimes even ask tourists to show proof of funds to be able to travel out of the country.
So, suppose you’re planning an open-ended multi-destination trip.
How do you get around this issue without having to book all your tickets in advance?
The good news is that there are ways to get around these rules.
So, let’s go through the options.
Number 1) Buy a cheap budget ticket: You can often find cheap airline tickets from local
carriers in your destination region.
While I am not crazy about the idea of buying an airline ticket with the intention of not
using it, it is an option.
Number 2) Redeem points toward your flights: Since many of you are points and miles collectors,
you can often use your points to book airline tickets without the risk of losing them if
you cancel your flight.
This is a great way to have proof of onward travel without having to waste money on a
ticket.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your points are refundable before booking
the flight.
Number 3) Book a refundable ticket: So this is a popular trick in the travel community.
Sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz will let you book flights with the option
of canceling within 24 hours.
For example, if I want to book a one-way flight from Thailand to Cambodia, I can select the
refundable flight option.
This allows me to cancel the flight within 24 hours for a full refund.
Also, just be sure that the carrier doesn’t charge you a booking fee, as those are generally
non-refundable.
Once I book the ticket, I’ll get an email and e-ticket, which I can then use to show
as proof for onward travel.
This might seem like a shady thing to do, but actually, what I learned after doing some
research is that it's a common practice among travel agencies and travel agents.
Number 4) Rent an onward ticket: I actually didn’t even about this option until I did
some research on the topic.
You can actually rent a ticket from a company like BestOnwardTicket.com.
The process is similar to just booking a refundable ticket, but the service usually gives you
additional time and will automatically cancel the ticket for you for a small fee.
You also don’t have to pay the actual flight, which makes it much less risky.
I actually think this is the best option in case you’re not able to get connected
while traveling to cancel your refundable ticket.
For a small fee, you can have the ticket canceled automatically and you’ll still have documentation
that allows you prove onward travel.
My only suggestion to be careful of which site you use for the service.
Some have bad reputations in the travel community.
BestOnwardTicket.com seems to have a good reputation, but definitely do some research on the company
before renting your ticket.
In addition, here are some tips to keep in mind if you need to prove onward travel.
Number 1) Outbound tickets can be anywhere, but they need to be within the timeframe:
Your ticket doesn’t necessarily need to be back to your home country.
It just needs to get you out of the country that you're visiting.
Though keep in mind that the ticket must be within the visa timeframe.
So if your visa is only valid for 30 days, you’ll need to show departing travel plans
within that period.
Number 2) Print out your documents (if possible): While having everything on your phone is probably sufficient,
I highly recommend having a print out as well.
I feel like the situation is perfect for Murphy’s Law, so you don’t want to depend solely
on your phone.
Also, I’ve had situations where an email won’t show unless I have connectivity, so
just be careful.
Number 3) Dress to impress: This is something that I picked-up from some of the travel forums.
Travelers were suggesting that you were less likely to get stopped or questioned if you
seemed like you might have the means of leaving.
I guess that means not looking like you’re a backpacker that might choose to overstay
the visa.
I know it may sounds silly, but dressing a bit more professionally might save you some
hassle and scrutiny if you plan to travel one way to a country.
That being said, I would still have a plan before you visit the country.
Number 4) Bus or boat tickets may not be sufficient: Some people have reported that bus or boat
tickets are not always enough to show intention of leaving, so keep that in mind.
And finally, number 5) Don’t forge documents: Whatever you do, don’t attempt to deceive
people.
There are folks online that walk through how they managed to trick airport officials by
altering documentation.
I would not recommend going down this route.
Not only is it illegal, it’s extremely risky and dangerous.
Please don’t do it!
It’s not worth breaking the law when you can easily and cheaply rent a ticket or even buy
a refundable plane ticket.
Have you ever had to provide proof of onward travel?
If so, pleases share your experience below.
Also, let us know if you have any questions.
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Until next time,
travel safe and travel smart.