Is it necessary to have RT ticket/proof of return on intl flights?
#1
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Is it necessary to have RT ticket/proof of return on intl flights?
I am booking flights to Argentina for dtr (July-Dec) for study abroad using FF miles. I know it likely varies by country, but in general does one have to have a RT ticket booked to fly internationally - that is proof you are going to return to your own country. I know it is necessary into US from some countries.
Reason is while I have dates of her arrival/departure, I want to just book July/southbound segment now and return segment later. On AA it is possible to book one-way with FF miles and I know something - class schedule, personal schedule, etc is going to change so that her return date may get pushed one way or the other.
Reason is while I have dates of her arrival/departure, I want to just book July/southbound segment now and return segment later. On AA it is possible to book one-way with FF miles and I know something - class schedule, personal schedule, etc is going to change so that her return date may get pushed one way or the other.
#3
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I know that issue is with destination country - have posted on South America board in past and received few responses - thought there might be knowledgeable travelers here. Her school has no clue and when I tried to get visa info from Argentina embassy my lack of Spanish skills seemed to be an issue. (The reason her school has no clue is that they are more experienced sending students to Europe than SA.)
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gail - if you talked directly with the embassy in DC I'm rather amazed that there was a language problem. I'm also surprised the school is of no or little help.
Is there a consulate near you? When we ran into this very issue with dtr 2 yrs ago (Greece) we visited the Greek consulate (fortunately there is one in our city) and were able to get all the info needed. Greece required RT ticket so we ended up getting a ticket with open return (although we had to set a narrow window for the return dates which airlines agreed to because it was so far out). As soon as her schedule firmed up after a couple of weeks, we fixed the date for her return.
If you're not near a consulate, call one that's closest to you and see if they'll help.
Hope this helps.
Is there a consulate near you? When we ran into this very issue with dtr 2 yrs ago (Greece) we visited the Greek consulate (fortunately there is one in our city) and were able to get all the info needed. Greece required RT ticket so we ended up getting a ticket with open return (although we had to set a narrow window for the return dates which airlines agreed to because it was so far out). As soon as her schedule firmed up after a couple of weeks, we fixed the date for her return.
If you're not near a consulate, call one that's closest to you and see if they'll help.
Hope this helps.
#5
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Most countries technically require three things: 1) Valid passport; 2) Round-trip ticket (can be open-return); and 3) proof of sufficient funding. Students on official study abroad programs sometimes have different requirements, so definitely call the embassy in Washington and ask.
#6
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National U.S.A. (US) /Destination Argentina (AR)
Argentina (AR)
Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
Visa required, except for Holders of normal passports for a
max. stay of 3 months (SEE NOTE 36877) (SEE NOTE 37584) and
being a national of U.S.A.
NOTE 36877: Extension of a further 90 days possible when
travelling for touristic purposes.
NOTE 37584: Extension of stay beyond 90 days also
available to students. Immigration status must be adjusted
by Immigration Authorities within 30 days of enrollment in
school.
Minors:
- Minors, regardless of nationality, under 14 years old
For details, click here
- When leaving Argentina, Argentine and foreign minors
residing in Argentina, under 18 years old
For details, click here
- Children born outside Argentina from Argentine parents,
For details, click here
Additional Information:
- Passengers should hold return or onward tickets, sufficient
funds toFor details, click here
- A reciprocity charge (payable in cash (USD or Argentine
Pesos) or by credit card or traveller's cheques), is levied
when visiting Argentina and entering via Ezeiza airport for
touristic or business purposes to holders of normal pasports
being nationals of:
- U.S.A.: USD 131.-, valid for 10 years multiple entries.
Exempt if also holding Argentine nationality (dual
nationality) or if being crew member travelling on duty.
Warning:
- Non-compliance with entry/transit requirements will result
in fines up to 3 times the published fares between origin
and destination, but will never be less than USD 1,000.-.
Passengers will be deported.
Argentina (AR)
Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
Visa required, except for Holders of normal passports for a
max. stay of 3 months (SEE NOTE 36877) (SEE NOTE 37584) and
being a national of U.S.A.
NOTE 36877: Extension of a further 90 days possible when
travelling for touristic purposes.
NOTE 37584: Extension of stay beyond 90 days also
available to students. Immigration status must be adjusted
by Immigration Authorities within 30 days of enrollment in
school.
Minors:
- Minors, regardless of nationality, under 14 years old
For details, click here
- When leaving Argentina, Argentine and foreign minors
residing in Argentina, under 18 years old
For details, click here
- Children born outside Argentina from Argentine parents,
For details, click here
Additional Information:
- Passengers should hold return or onward tickets, sufficient
funds toFor details, click here
- A reciprocity charge (payable in cash (USD or Argentine
Pesos) or by credit card or traveller's cheques), is levied
when visiting Argentina and entering via Ezeiza airport for
touristic or business purposes to holders of normal pasports
being nationals of:
- U.S.A.: USD 131.-, valid for 10 years multiple entries.
Exempt if also holding Argentine nationality (dual
nationality) or if being crew member travelling on duty.
Warning:
- Non-compliance with entry/transit requirements will result
in fines up to 3 times the published fares between origin
and destination, but will never be less than USD 1,000.-.
Passengers will be deported.
#7
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Thank you - we knew about the visa situation - she will be there for 6 months so I knew she would need to get visa renewed when she was there.
We are booking with AA FF miles, and had planned on surprising her with a business or first class return ticket - which gives us a little more liberal change of date options.
The reason the school does not know is that this is not one of their packaged "study abroad" countries. She will officially a non-matriculated or transfer student as far as Argentina is concerned at the University of Buenos Aires.
No Argentina consulate in Boston. I called Embassy in Washington and they kept telling me about rules for Argentina citizens travelling to US, not the other way around.
My daughter is going to call and speak in Spanish and will likely fare a bit better - it is really her job to get this all straightened out, but since I am footing the bill, I have some involvement as well.
We are booking with AA FF miles, and had planned on surprising her with a business or first class return ticket - which gives us a little more liberal change of date options.
The reason the school does not know is that this is not one of their packaged "study abroad" countries. She will officially a non-matriculated or transfer student as far as Argentina is concerned at the University of Buenos Aires.
No Argentina consulate in Boston. I called Embassy in Washington and they kept telling me about rules for Argentina citizens travelling to US, not the other way around.
My daughter is going to call and speak in Spanish and will likely fare a bit better - it is really her job to get this all straightened out, but since I am footing the bill, I have some involvement as well.
#8
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In about 20+ international trips over the last 10 years I've never once been asked if I had a return ticket, let alone been asked to show proof.
Furthermore, in the era of electronic tickets what would constitute proof anyway? There is no need to carry any ticket or travel info with you - I can just show up at the airport empty handed, enter my name or FF# at a kiosk, and print out my boarding pass.
When I travel I do print out a copy of the itinerary I get from the travel agent or airline for my own reference. Since I access that info using a computer it would take me all of about 5 min to edit that document to show whatever info I wanted to - including adding a fake return flight - hence such info could hardly be considered proof.
Furthermore, in the era of electronic tickets what would constitute proof anyway? There is no need to carry any ticket or travel info with you - I can just show up at the airport empty handed, enter my name or FF# at a kiosk, and print out my boarding pass.
When I travel I do print out a copy of the itinerary I get from the travel agent or airline for my own reference. Since I access that info using a computer it would take me all of about 5 min to edit that document to show whatever info I wanted to - including adding a fake return flight - hence such info could hardly be considered proof.
#9
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J62 - now your comments got me thinking. It would seem logical to assume that upon check-in they would know if you had purchased a RT ticket. But then lots of people fly on 2 one-way tickets for a variety fo reasons - so absence of RT/return segment showing in computer would not necessarily mean anything.
Somehow I would also think that even if the customs/immigration guy questioned her, being an official study-abroad student might carry some weight. I think I am going to push the "study abroad" office at her college a bit more - while they may be clueless about Argentina I am sure this is not the first time this has come up - especially since some students do a full year abroad and would be unlikely to have an actual return reservation at time of departure.
Agree about ability to edit paper itineray to say whatever you want.
Somehow I would also think that even if the customs/immigration guy questioned her, being an official study-abroad student might carry some weight. I think I am going to push the "study abroad" office at her college a bit more - while they may be clueless about Argentina I am sure this is not the first time this has come up - especially since some students do a full year abroad and would be unlikely to have an actual return reservation at time of departure.
Agree about ability to edit paper itineray to say whatever you want.
#10
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You don't need the ticket and funds to get into Argentina. You need them to accompany the visa application. All the proofs are rarely requested when you're entering the country on a short-term tourist visa, but I assure you that virtually every country does enforce the regulations when it's a matter of a longer say or a student visa application. Definitely see if the college can help you, but I think the embassy will be a better bet.
#11
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I don't know about Argentina, but I've certainly been asked to show my return ticket before when I traveled to Europe before. Of course these days I just show an e-Ticket confirmation.
And of course Argentina is nothing like Israel, where you should be prepared to show *everything.*
And of course Argentina is nothing like Israel, where you should be prepared to show *everything.*
#13
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Maybe I've been lucky, but I go to Europe at least once a year and this has never come up. Often I'm flying one way because I'm taking a transatlantic cruise back to the US. I am frequently asked how long I'm gonna stay, but never how I was getting out of the country.
The once exception was not Eurpoe, but Australai.
The once exception was not Eurpoe, but Australai.
#14
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Well they wouldn't know that you are coming in on a one-way ticket, but they could ask how long you're going to stay and ask you to produce a return ticket.
I agree that it's not common, but the issue is whether this can actually come up -- and the answer is a definitive yes, in my experience, for Europe.
I agree that it's not common, but the issue is whether this can actually come up -- and the answer is a definitive yes, in my experience, for Europe.