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Onward Ticket in Review 2024 – Fastest Way to Solve your Onward-Ticket Issue

Are you looking for a review about onward tickets and wondering if it is legit?

Yes, onward tickets are valid. It’s also a great solution if you NEED a valid ticket for entering a country and boarding your plane.

Nowadays, more and more countries require  an onward ticket (a ticket that shows that you’re going to eventually leave at some point) to be able to enter them in the first place.

If you’re backpacking, or you like flexibility, you probably don’t want to invest in a costly return ticket. Chances are that you’re booking one-way tickets as you go – which is what a lot of travelers do, us included. 

Obviously, you’ll still need proof that you’re leaving most countries you enter, so you need to find a legit and affordable onward ticket source. 

With Google’s long list of onward ticket providers, we’d like to introduce you to our trusted site (one we often use): OnwardTicket.com .

Just to be clear : To enter many countries you need a valid visa AND an onward ticket, that proves you are leaving the country again at a certain point.

We ourselves ran into troubles here once – we forgot the proof of onward travel.

We got our Visa with iVisa and thought “ Yeah, done, that was easy “. We totally forgot about the onward ticket proof – because we hadn’t really traveled anywhere that required such a thing yet.

So when we started boarding our flight to Colombia, reality kicked in when the flight attendant informed us that we couldn’t enter the country without one. We had 10 minutes to buy a flight or bus ticket out of the Colombia online and everything we found had insane prices. Luckily, other travelers referred us to onwardticket, and we’ve been using it ever since. 

In a hurry right now?

So you’re quickly reading this review of onwardticket.com . You want to know if this website is legit and okay to book.

In a nutshell : Yes, Onward Ticket.com is legit and you can book with it. It is safe and legal! You will receive your ticket instantly with no printing needed !

How does it work?:

• Choose your desired itinerary – LEAVING the destination you’re going to
• Payment – $16 US Dollar
• PNR code provided (Passenger Name Record that you can verify with an airline)
• Download the Document instantly from your email (valid for at least 48 hours – you can choose when you receive it)
• DONE – show the ticket on your phone!

Important : Remember you are booking a flight OUT of your destination. So choose a flight LEAVING the place you are about to enter ! This is the flight ticket you need! 

All you have to do is use their website, book the ticket of your choice, and go to the counter so you can board your flight!

Visit Onward Ticket.com

Did we just save your b*tt and you got on a plane? Then let us know and make our day. Tag us on Instagram with @hostelgeeks and #hostelgeeks.

Important : Do not fall for scam copy-sites. More on that topic below .

For all of the readers with more time, let’s go into more detail.

Update : We have created a screencast video for you; explaining the buying process step-by-step.

In this guide, we’re going to share everything you can do with Onwardticket and how to properly use the booking platform. We’re also going to give you our reason for trusting it and what are its advantages compared to other onward ticket providers (yes, there are more sites like this one).

Quick Update : I used them again beginning of January of this year 2024 – still work perfectly!

In this guide, we cover: 

• What is OnwardTicket.com?
• Advantages of using OnwardTicket.com
• Which countries require proof of onward travel?
• How to use OnwardTicket.com?
• Is it safe to use OnwardTicket.com?
• How to pay?
• Changes, cancellations, and refunds
• Update: Buy the actual ticket
• Our own story when we started using Onward Tickets
• One Way Fly
• Booking an actual ticket and canceling?
• Copy-Cats and Scams for onward Tickets
• OnwardTicket.com discount code

In this guide, we’re also going to give you discount vouchers on your first or next purchase – so that it can be even cheaper than $16.

Other important travel websites you need to know

There are more useful travel tools and websites we think you should know:

• Skyscanner.com – one of our favorite sites to find cheaper flights
• Qatar Airways – a complete and honest review
• Etihad Airways – the best airline?
• iVisa.com – how to get your Visa to any country easy
• Hostelworld – the best way to book hostels?
• Tiqets.com – a reliable tool for booking  sightseeing tickets.

Important : We did not get paid to write this review. It is our first-hand, genuine, and no-BS account. We have been using Onward Ticket for several years now.

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1. What is an Onward Ticket?

An onward ticket is basically a flight reservation out of the country you’re going to. So if you’re going to Japan, an onward ticket would be a flight ticket out of Japan.

This ticket is usually required during the visa application process, and some countries also require tourists to have them when they enter, so the airlines request them before you board the plane – even if you have a visa on arrival.

Jump to : Why do airlines not let you board without an onward ticket?

An onward ticket can be the following:

• A return one-way flight ticket
• An airline itinerary to and from the country you’re visiting
• A flight reservation towards any other destination

This policy is being implemented in more and more countries today to prevent people from entering the country on a tourist visa and never leaving.

This is proof to make sure you will not exceed your stay more than you are allowed to and that you don’t plan on settling in the country or finding a job there.

This includes visa-free countries, visas on arrival, and those countries that require you to obtain a visa beforehand.  An onward ticket can be requested by:

• Visa applications
• Airlines at the check-in counter
• Destination country at Immigration 

A valid and legit onward ticket should come with a PNR number under your name which can be checked by the immigration at the airport or on the airline’s website.

This PNR (Passenger Name Record) consists of numbers and letters that present electronic proof that your ticket is legit. It can be entered into an airline’s website (the airline of your onward ticket) to prove that both your flight itinerary and ticket are real.

Then what is OnwardTicket.com? OnwardTicket.com is a website made of digital nomads that helps you to take control of your travel plans and makes travel flexible for you. They provide legit onward tickets with PNRs.

2. Advantages of using OnwardTicket.com

OnwardTicket.com has several advantages that make it one of the best and fastest Onward Ticket providers in the world.

• Verified Booking!

A 100% genuine reservation. Verify it with the airline. This is not some fake reservation or Photoshop handout. This is a real flight that stands the test.

• Transactions are fast

Google can provide you with a long list of onward ticket providers but OnwardTicket.com is one of the fastest sites that provides you with a valid booking right after your purchase.

Just like what they say on their website, “There’s nobody faster.” So whether you’re in a rush or want to skip the wait, OnwardTicket.com is definitely the one for you.

Believe it or not, in a matter of two minutes or so, you will be able to receive your ticket.

• The process is very easy

OnwardTicket.com has made it super easy to purchase a ticket. 

Steps are easy clicks with the following:

• Find a ticket
• Make a Payment
• Download your ticket (no printing needed)

Want to know more about the process? We have elaborated on the steps in number 4: How to use OnwardTicket.com.

• Real and Legit

Afraid to try? We guarantee you OnwardTicket.com is real and legit. They provide 100% real reservations from a real and legitimate travel agency.

How legit? You can always check the validity of your onward ticket on the websites of major airlines. It is valid and confirmed tickets from airlines.

You can also check out people’s reviews on TrustPilot .

For as low as $16, you can buy a ticket with at least 48 hours of validity. They’re the cheapest you can find online.

Even the extra charges are cheap compared to other onward ticket providers. These include an extra $2 for “only direct flights” and $1 for “Receive and activate your ticket later”.

We couldn’t find any cheaper than that (except for some scam sites…)

• Excellent Customer Service

They have an excellent customer service. They respond within a few hours via email and have 24/7 chat support.

• No printing needed

Once you have paid for your ticket, you will instantly receive your ticket in a PDF just a few minutes later. You can either show it as it is on your phone or you can always print it if you want to.

I also loved this because it saves time, it allows you to do it last minute if you forget, and it’s also eco-friendly – being paperless. All I have to do is show it at the immigration or boarding counter and I’m good to go.

3. Which countries require proof of onward travel?

Today, more and more countries are requiring proof of onward travel to make sure every tourist that comes in will not exceed their stay in the country.

Below are some of the countries that require an onward ticket. This is not a comprehensive list:

• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Korea
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Some may ask, is it okay not to prepare an onward ticket on your travels? Well, our answer is very clear as water, no! We do not recommend this. We would not want you to risk your trip just because you wanted to save a few dollars.

Here’s an example : Taiwan does not require an onward ticket for most Europeans. But, they do require one for Vietnam. This was a problem in our own case.

We wanted to board a plane from Da Nang, in Vietnam to Taiwan. The airline worker required an onward ticket – which was completely unnecessary for us as EU-members-Europeans. However, she wanted to see one, because she was used to requesting ones from her passengers – which were mostly not Europeans.

There was no way around it.

We had around 20 minutes to find a cheap flight out of Taiwan or else we wouldn’t board – which we eventually did.

Did the authorities want to see my flight ticket when entering Taiwan? Of course… NOT !!!

So you see, even if the country may not require such a ticket, the airline can be the bottleneck.

Read : Our own stories from Traveling to Taiwan and Colombia

Believe me! We have heard similar stories from fellow travelers who were not allowed to enter their destination. Or worse, got blocked from the airport and was banned from the country for not showing an onward ticket.

This is a very stressful experience and we don’t want this to happen to you.

That brings us to a very important question most of us have:

Why do airlines not let you board without an onward ticket?

Why does an airline care if you have an onward ticket? In theory, they are not the authorities, right?

Well, it is actually quite simple. The airline is responsible for checking if you have all the required documents for entering the country.

In case you do not have a valid visa and onward ticket, the airline is required to bring you back to the country you boarded at. For free! This means the airline would lose a seat to you and has to bring you back for free.

This is the only reason. The airline is also taking responsibility for the authorities and therefore the airline will simply not let you board.

4. How to use OnwardTicket.com

Just like we have mentioned earlier in its advantages, the process in OnwardTicket.com is very fast and easy.

Check out the following steps we have explained further below.

• Choose your desired itinerary
• Download the document
• …breathe, you will enter the country!

1. Choose your desired itinerary – Enter the information and the system will check for available flights.

Note: Tickets are valid for 48 hours from the time you have booked them. But if you need to activate your ticket later, you can pay an additional $1 for the option “ Receive later ” which enables you to activate your ticket any time you want.

And if you’re looking for direct flights, there’s also an option for this. This will cost just an additional $2 to get direct flights. But if there aren’t any available direct flights, you can change the route and date.

Obviously, not all destinations have direct flights, just like this ticket from Zanzibar, Tanzania to Beirut, Lebanon.

2. Make a payment – You can pay using all major credit cards or Paypal for as low as $16 per person.

3 . Download your ticket – Once your ticket is booked and confirmed, you will receive an email that contains your ticket in PDF. You can also download it directly from the website.

Using this ticket, you can now show this at the immigration or check-in counter (or use it in your visa application).

Smooth as that, getting a ticket is very fast and easy. Plus it’s hassle-free.

5. Is it safe to use OnwardTicket.com?

How safe is it to use OnwardTicket.com? You can check your ticket on major airline’s websites to confirm your ticket’s validity.

So you don’t have to worry if the immigration or check-in staff checks on your PNR. Unlike other fake ticket providers, the reservations are 100% legitimate with a so-called Passenger Name Record (PNR) code under your name. With this, you or the airline can verify.

Tickets are legit and valid for 48 hours (Onwardticket.com usually cancels the ticket after 48 hours, which is how we’re guessing they’re able to provide this service for so cheap).

You can also check out personal reviews of customers who have tried to use it at TravelPilot .

6. How to pay?

OnwardTicket.com is able to accept the following payment methods that you can choose from:

• Credit Cards
• Debit Cards

7. Changes, cancellations, and refunds

Here are the website’s policies on changes, cancellations, and refunds.

7.1 Changes

Please pay extra attention to this. OnwardTicket.com makes bookings instantly after you have confirmed so there is no chance to change details . You have to be careful in filling in the details. Check the information more than twice to make sure everything is correct.

Remember that you cannot change confirmed bookings. The only way you have to change the details is to book another ticket. And you wouldn’t want that. So double-check everything before you confirm.

Important : Remember you need a ticket LEAVING your destination! This is exactly what you need to type in

• FROM : your country you are about to enter
• TO : Pretty much anywhere. Does not really matter

Example: If you want to enter Vietnam, you need to type “Hanoi” for FROM , under “to” you can enter Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taiwan for instance.

7.2 Cancellations

Do consider that this is an onward ticket. This ticket will automatically be canceled by the site after its validity of 48 hours. And you don’t have to do anything.

But in case you would like to cancel your booked ticket onward ticket, I’m afraid this is not possible. Just like changing details, the cancellation option is not available. So you really have to be careful.

And just to be clear, you are not buying a valid flight ticket. You won’t be able to board any plane with the ticket you are about to receive. This is really only for documentation.

7.3 Refunds

As for refunds, OnwardTicket.com allows full refunds in the following cases below:

• If a customer pays to Onwardticket.com by mistake or a customer makes a double payment for the services because of a technical issue or mistake
• If Onwardticket.com fails to complete the service
• If a customer asks for a refund before the order has been started
• If services were started, then Onwardticket.com has the right to assess the refund amount from 10% to 80% of the total received money

8. Buy the Actual Ticket

We have been informed that you can now actually buy the actual ticket, too.

You are given the option to request a quote to purchase the actual ticket in the confirmation email that contains the flight reservation. It was requested by some of the customers. Therefore, Onward added it as a special, new feature.

Pretty cool, isn’t it?

OnwardTicket.com provides very efficient customer service available 24/7. The response rate is very responsive with replies via email within a few hours.

You can send them a message here > contact.

10. Our own story when we started using Onward Ticket

Unfortunately, we also ran into situations where we needed an onward ticket last minute. I say “ unfortunately ” because it is a stressful situation. Really, you are about to lose a flight for 500€ simply because you missed this detail…not pleasant!

So here’s two of our stories:

I already talked a bit about this experience. We were traveling from Vietnam to Taiwan. Vietnamese traveling to Taiwan need to show proof that they will leave the country again. Most Europeans do not need this – by law!

However, the airline did not care and demanded a valid, onward ticket. This was actually the very first time we ran into this kind of trouble. We had not heard about the service of onward ticketing.

Another traveler who saw our situation came over and told us just to buy this kind of ticket. We had no idea what that was. We searched for it and kaboom – our solution cost us $16 and that is it.

Our other alternative would have been to pay $45 per person, so $90 in total, for outbound flights we weren’t even going to use (we like to travel without the idea of set dates as to when to come back).

We traveled to Taiwan and had an awesome time.

Read : The Best Hostels in Taiwan and Backpacking Guide

This time, we got our visa with iVisa sorted out. Perfect, easy, cheap.

We were perfectly on time. We had no checked-in luggage, so there was no need to go to the counter. This was a big mistake in the end.

Around 5-10 minutes before boarding, the airline called us to the counter. “ Show me your onward ticket, please “.

Since we had no idea how long we wanted to stay in Colombia, we had no tickets to show. We even had no idea if we would leave the country by bus to Peru, for instance, or take a flight to Brazil or Mexico…who knows this stuff when traveling long-term? (I know, a nice problem to have…)

The airline did not care. We had to show a ticket or the plane would leave without us.

Long story short : We opened onwardticket.com, bought a ticket from Bogota to Mexico City for $16, and showed the ticket to the airline.

Uff…that was a close one!

Faking an airline ticket?

We have also heard from travelers who simply faked an airline ticket. You can do this fairly easily with HTML or Photoshop. And it works!

However, there is always a risk to it. If the airline or authorities would check the validation of the ticket, and it turns out it is a fake document…that could end in some trouble.

Do you have any first-hand experience with faking airline tickets for outbound flights? Leave us a comment below.

11. Is it worth to try OnwardTicket.com? Other Alternatives

We have used OnwardTicket.com so many times with our travels that I lost track of numbers. And this has never failed our travels. So if you would ask me, yes, it is definitely worth it to try and use OnwardTicket.com.

Note: Please do note that we did not get paid to do this review. This is all personally based on our experience with OnwardTicket.com

Here is a table that helps you check out the comparison of OnwardTicket.com and the other leading onward ticket providers on the internet.

You may be wondering if there are any other alternatives for showing proof of your onward travel.

Yes, of course. As shown above, in the list, there are alternatives for onward tickets. 

Important : Some of the sites we did not mention can be scams! Be careful before paying and do your research to ensure you don’t come across someone that will steal your credit card information.

11.1 One Way Fly (from $16)

Although we usually go with Onward Ticket, there is another website offering this service. The site is called “One Way Fly”.

Quoting from their website:

“Quickly Book a Legit Flight Reservation. We provide real airline bookings and hotel reservations. Perfect solution for digital nomads and travellers who want to extend or apply for visas.”

The layout of both sites looks similar, this is not really a surprise.

Onward Ticket starts from 16$ and so does One Way Fly . When using this site, I checked for Barcelona, Spain to Cancún Mexico.

I then compared the prices with Onward Ticket. With Onward Ticket I could only book for the next upcoming 9 months. I checked BCN > Cancun.

With One Way Fly, when selecting a date more than 9 months away, the price jumps from 16$ to 40$ but you can at least select an onward ticket for as far as 1 year in the future. This is required for a 1-year visa, for example: for a student visa.

When choosing all the extras like receiving later, roundtrip, and direct flights, the prices are as follows:

• Onward Ticket: 26$
• One Way Fly: 36$

One more money-saving tip : On both Onward Ticket and One Way Fly, you can choose payment in US Dollars or EUR. They both assume $=€. So basically, you should choose the US Dollar since it will be a bit cheaper for you.

One Way Fly offers more services. You can input a special request (if you prefer a specific airline for example) but the site does not guarantee granting you your request. They also offer Proof of accommodation for your visa application. For many countries, you need to show a first reservation in a hostel or hotel. For your visa application, we always recommend iVisa.com as your first resource.

Read : How to apply for a Visa with ivisa.com

11.2 Booking an actual ticket and then canceling it?

This is probably the most common way to solve this issue. Travelers simply use 3rd party websites like Expedia.com and Orbitz.com. They find these cheap flights through Skyscanner .

You can book your flight ticket and cancel it within 24 hours thanks to the 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy.

However, we think you should not rely on this and there’s a risk to it.

Here is why:

• It is not international law – you cannot cancel any flight within 24 hours and get your money back For instance, in Europe, this law does not apply. If you bought it, you pay for it. Exceptions apply.
• You need to actively cancel your flight – otherwise, you pay the full amount

First of all, this law only applies to flights to/from the U.S. It does not apply worldwide to any airline and country. This is not an international law, as many think. You now may think “ Yeah, sure it is. This is not true! “. Sure, you can think this…but that does not make it true.

And 2nd, the price for an actual flight ticket is much higher. You need to actively cancel your flight otherwise you pay the full amount.

Imagine you are traveling for more than 12 hours and you are exhausted when finally arriving at your destination. And then…you forget to cancel. Then this little adventure costs you a full flight price.

Read : Our guide with smart tips to use Skyscanner

11.3 Copy-Cat Websites and Scams

Apparently, this small industry of onward tickets attracts quite a lot of copy-cats for onwardticket.com. Others go even further and are simply blunt scams.

My best tip : Make sure you use the official and legit website onwardticket.com.

It should not be added another S or any other spelling. User our link here to make sure you have the correct, safe website.

We have received a complaint about onwardticket.com not being legit and it was a fake ticket etc. Of course, we take this seriously. After all, we want to make sure we only recommend cool and useful (and legit!!!) travel sites. So we teamed up with Onward Ticket because we use them ourselves and it is a great service.

We reached out to the onward ticket to clear this issue. As it turned out, this user has used one of the many other copycat websites. In her defense, they all sound very similar. It is very confusing and easy to miss. Please leave us a comment below or send us a direct email if you run into any issues.

I want to make this a very useful and complete guide. This is why I added this short section about the other scam websites. They may be a bit cheaper (like $8 for instance), but again, not legit. Always use www.onwardticket.com to be on the safe side.

I took a screenshot of the website’s main page. Please pay attention to this.

11.4 Who should use this website?

It is the perfect website for:

• Digital nomads or perpetual traveler
• anyone unsure about travel plans – or people that like to stay flexible
• anyone applying for a visa who needs a valid flight reservation

12. OnwardTicket.com discount code

At the moment, we do not have a discount code or promo code for onward tickets. This guide is always up to date. As soon as a promo code is available, we will publish it here. You can bookmark this page and join our newsletter to stay up to date.

In our newsletter we share all new discount codes with all kinds of travel companies; from sightseeing to flight deals.

Below we share the most frequently asked questions about proof of onward travel.

Is Onward Ticket safe to use?

Yes, Onward Tickets is super safe, cheap, and instant! Visit onwardticket.com , choose your destination, pay $14 and receive a proof of onward travel.

What is the fastest way to get an Onward Ticket?

Onward Ticket costs only $14 and the confirmation is INSTANT! You can download the ticket and show it on your phone. This is the fastest way to get a proof of onward travel in less than 5 minutes.

Is Onward Ticket legit?

Yes, Onward Ticket is legal and legit. You can book real, legitimate flights in your name on the day of your flight. It is easier and faster than buying a ticket with Expedia, for instance.

Why do Airlines require proof of onward ticket?

Airlines are required to ask for a visa and documents. If a traveler arrives to a destination and is not allowed to enter due to missing documentation, the airline is required to bring you for free back to your departing destination. To avoid this obligation and to avoid losing money, the airline may require these documents.

Can I receive my Onward Ticket later?

Yes! You can choose to receive it later with onwardticket.com . Just select this option "Pay now" and then select to receive your reservation just before your flight for complete flexibility.

14. Summary: OnwardTicket.com

In a nutshell, we can say with confidence, that we recommend OnwardTicket.com to other travelers. We consider this website a travel tool that allows you to enter various countries without any hassle. It is very fast and easy to use. The process is smooth and trustworthy.

We love their fast response and 24/7 customer service. You can contact them at any time and receive a response within a few hours via email.

Not to mention the paperless ticket you can show at the immigration or check-in counter. Not only does it save time to print but at the same time, it doesn’t waste unnecessary paper.

Now you know how to solve this stressful situation. Yet, there are more useful travel tools and websites we think you should know:

• Tiqets.com – a reliable tool for booking sightseeing tickets
• Klook.com – awesome for booking unique experiences
• Omio – an easy & cheap way to book transport

Over to you

Have you tried OnwardTicket.com ? Which country did you use it with and what was your experience with it? Is there anything you want to know? Then please, hit the comment section. We would love to hear from you. Your comments, your feedback, and your questions will make this article and guide even more useful for all fellow travelers.

Safe travels!

We are 100% Independent: Some links on Hostelgeeks are so-called affiliate links. If you decide to book through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Your support allows us to keep producing high-quality, independent content free of influence from hostels or external advertisers. Learn more here . 🙏

✏️ Read our Editorial Guidelines

I want to book a ticket leaving the UK in a few months, but it does not show the airport in England, only says London. Will the airport name appear on the ticket once I purchase it please?

Hey Bringo,

It should say the airport. I’d get in touch with the customer support to check with them.

Safe travels, Matt

Dear Henri,

this is Marie from the Onward Ticket Support. Thank you for sharing your experience.

I’m so sorry to hear you ran into issues. Our tickets are usually valid for at least 48h before they get canceled.

That’s why I’d be curious to investigate this further to find out what exactly happened so we can avoid situations like these in the future.

You may reach us anytime through our form at https://onwardticket.com/support or by simply replying to your confirmation email.

Again, thank you for your feedback!

Kind regards, Marie

It’s not legit at all, i just tried to come to Mexico with Latam airlines, and in the same moment i present my onwardticket flight, the attendant fell that was something wrong, and then showed to his manager, and he said that this flight didn’t exist, the code of the flight is not like that, so i needed to buy a flight to return in the same hour. So guys don’t trust this website and this way to travel.

Thanks you so much for your comment and sharing your experience! This is super disappointing obviously! We also run once into a siutation where the attendant required to see an outbound flight for Taiwan – legally, we did not need this. Anyway, she demanded it and would not let get us through. I then simply showed a flight number that might fit – it was not a valid, bought ticket. She wrote it down and that was it.

For travelling to Colombia, a friend of mine simply showed a photoshopped bus ticket to Peru; that was ok as well.

Sorry to hear you had this experience and again, thank you for sharing!

Hope you still enjoyed your Mexico trip! Matt

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Onward Ticket: Get Verified Proof Of Onward Travel To Enter A Country

Entering some countries requires you to demonstrate that you plan to leave the country by a specific date by showing proof of onward travel. But what if you don’t know when you plan to depart? Here are the best ways to show immigration you have a valid onward ticket without wasting money on cancellation or change fees.

  Mins Reading Time

Published On: April 1, 2022

Latest Update: March 6, 2024

About the author

Hi, I'm Marco Sison . I worked in finance for Fortune 50 companies before retiring early at 41 years old. I have been an expat for over 10 years, living in over 50 countries to show you the best ways to save, invest, and live in amazing countries outside the USA. I am a trusted resource on personal finance and overseas retirement for US News & World Reports, HuffPost, MSN Money, USA Today, ABC Network, Yahoo Finance, Association of MBAs, the iTunes documentary Seeking FIRE, and the Amazon Best-Seller- Abroad: Expats That Thrive .

What is an onward ticket?

An onward ticket is a document that proves that you have a scheduled departure out of the country within a specified period. Travelers often require proof of onward travel for visa applications or when crossing borders. This ticket is also referred to as a return ticket, departure ticket, or onward flight ticket.

Not every country asks for proof of onward travel, but the COVID situation has led many countries to mandate onward ticket checks with the latest lockdowns and pandemic border restrictions. 

While an onward ticket is not necessary when traveling to every country, an immigration officer can request you provide documented proof that you are not planning to stay in the country illegally. 

It's good to be prepared just in case. You can buy an onward ticket for $14 from a reputable website; there are even some free options  I cover in the article below. Having an onward flight ticket will ensure there are no problems when dealing with bureaucratic border control upon arrival at immigration.

This article serves as a guide on purchasing and using onward ticketing to minimize your costs while maintaining maximum flexibility.

Why is it important to have an onward ticket?

It is all about illegal immigration. Many countries are cracking down on foreigners overstaying their valid visa days. Proof of onward travel shows authorities that you have the means and intention to leave the country and do not intend to stay in the country illegally.

63% more illegal immigrants overstay their visas than illegally cross the borders.

Showing an onward ticket for short-term tourists on vacation is not typically an issue, as tourists usually have a pre-booked itinerary with a fixed departure date and a prepaid return ticket. 

However, proof of onward travel doesn't work for digital nomads or nomadic retirees like me who choose to stay relaxed about our plans. Picking a departure date usually means paying for an airline ticket we don't plan to use (throwaway ticket), paying exorbitant change fees to choose a different departure date, or risk immigration not letting us into the country for not providing an onward ticket.  

Travel flexibility is where using an onward ticket provider comes in handy.   Onward ticket providers allow you to "rent" proof of onward travel confirming you have a flight out of the country. You can confidently present your proof of onward travel to the airline check-in agent or immigration when you arrive in the country. A rented or disposable onward flight ticket is a 100% legitimate, verifiable flight reservation made in your name.

A disposable onward ticket is a smarter, more flexible, and cheaper way to deal with proof of onward travel.

I have partnered with the most trusted online ticket provider on the web with a 4.7 rating on Trust Pilot and loads of happy customer reviews. You can  book an onward ticket for just $14 . 

Other Guides On Expat Life In The Philippines

2024 philippines online annual reporting requirement guide for expats, expat life in the philippines: an american expat’s pros and cons, foreigner’s guide to prenuptial agreements in the philippines- protecting your money, a comprehensive guide to philippines health insurance for expats, 24 facts about healthcare in the philippines every expat must know, how do i send money to the philippines my remittance rundown, best places to live in manila- an expat guide to metro neighborhoods, an expat guide on where to eat in manila [best restaurants and groceries], can foreigners buy property in the philippines [options, tips, laws].

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How do I book an onward ticket on your website?

You can get verified proof of onward travel in as little as sixty seconds from our travel partner's website. Simply click the button link below to start the application.

• 1) Enter your origin and destination airport, passenger information, whether you want a round-trip or one-way flight ticket, and whether you wish to extend the reservation validity duration
• 2) Pay for your ticket- The booking form takes all major credit cards or Paypal. After payment, a flight reservation is made within seconds by a registered travel agency.
• 3) Your travel itinerary with a PNR code is immediately available for download. Additionally, the onward ticketing system will send your confirmable flight itinerary in a confirmation email within minutes.

How much does an onward travel ticket cost?

You can buy a disposable onward ticket reservation that meets airline and immigration requirements for onward travel proof for $14 USD.  There are optional add-ons if you want additional features added to your reservation. 

Optional add-ons include

• Make your ticket a return ticket $7- a full round-trip ticket is helpful for a visa application
• Delay your ticket delivery date $1- if you don't want to activate your ticket until a later date
• Increase the validity period to 14 days $17- makes the ticket valid for 14 days (if you think the visa application process might take longer than 48 hours)
• Only use direct flights $2- to only use non-stop flights on your airline itinerary (avoids potential visa complications with stopovers in other countries)

How do I use a temporary onward ticket?

• 1 Check the visa requirements of your destination country-  Not every country requires an onward ticket
• 2 Book your onward ticket on this website before you leave home-  Your onward ticket can be checked at the airport when you depart and by immigration at the airport when you land. If you wait to purchase your onward ticket when you land, you may not have time or internet access to buy the ticket before you get your passport checked.
• 3 Get onward ticket reservation in two minutes-  Pick your departure and arrival airports, enter your passport details, and pay. The system sends a confirmed flight reservation to your email address.
• 4 Show your onward ticket reservation to the immigration officer when you arrive-   Smile. Be polite. Don't be nervous. Your airline reservation is confirmed and has a departure date. Our ticket partners provide 100% legitimate tickets with a unique Passenger Name Record (PNR) code that immigration officials can verify with the airline.
• 5 Get an onward ticket before you depart-   It could save you a lot of hassle at the airport.

  INSIDER TIP   : Extending A Disposable Onward Ticket- Tickets purchased from our partner's website are real flight reservations. As such, the purchased reservation is only valid for 48 hours, enough time to fly to a new country and pass immigration. However, if you need to show proof of onward travel for a visa application, you can extend the reservation for 14 days.

Get Verifiable Proof of Onward Travel Within 60 Seconds

Nomadic FIRE has partnered with the most trusted Onward Ticket Provider on the web . They will make a confirmed flight reservation on your behalf and provide you Proof Of Onward Travel to show visa or immigration officials.

It's the cheaper, smarter option for traveling with complete freedom.

10 Ways to show proof of onward travel

There are a few ways to buy an onward ticket. The safest options cost money, as they create legitimate, verifiable airline reservations with your name and travel information that can be confirmed by any airlines agent, immigration authority, or border control officers.

• Rent a temporary onward ticket $
• Buy a Flexible Date Ticket $$$
• Purchase an expensive refundable ticket $$$
• Make a 24-hour Hold on an airline ticket $
• Book directly with airlines that offer free cancelations $
• Buy a cheap return ticket $$

Risk it [NOT RECOMMENDED]

Sign an airline liability waiver [not recommended].

• Use a bus or train ticket [NOT RECOMMENDED]
• Photoshop a Fake Ticket [NOT RECOMMENDED]

Buy a flexible travel ticket ($$$)

The most straightforward way to show proof of onward travel is to purchase a ticket where you can change your departure date. This type of ticket gives you some flexibility if your travel plans change. The problem is airline companies make a killing off of flexible tickets. Changing an airline ticket is always expensive, as airlines can tack on change fees and charge you the difference in the fare price.

Get confirmed proof of onward travel for just $14

Purchase an expensive refundable ticket ($$$)

Another option is buying fully returnable tickets. Just make sure to read the fine print. Some airlines only refund tickets using flight vouchers instead of cash. A refundable ticket is not always available for every flight and often comes with a refund or change fee. A refundable ticket is almost always more expensive, and refunds are not always immediate. Qatar airlines, for example, held my money for one 1-month after requesting a refund on a legitimate ticket I purchased.

Reserve a flight ticket using online travel websites with FREE 24-hour cancellation ($)

The cheapest way to get an onward travel ticket is Expedia.com. Expedia has a 24-hour refund policy for most of its flights. I say cheapest, but if you keep a watchful eye, this method is actually FREE, as in 100% of your money back. In fact, Expedia has never charged my credit card when I cancel a flight within the 24-hour refund window. Expedia simply withdraws the reservation, and I never even see the charge hit my credit card statement.

While I mention Expedia, I'm sure other websites offer a similar policy. However, since I haven't had any reason to use a different company, I can't vouch for how they work. Expedia, to me, is tried and true.

  INSIDER TIP   : Expedia.com- This method only works on Expedia.com. For reasons unknown to me, the .com site offers free refunds, while Expedia.ca, Expedia.co.uk, etc., does not.

Make airline reservations that have a 24-hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy ($)

Another cheap option. The premise is the same as option 1 above, except you book directly with airline websites instead of Expedia. The key is finding an airline that offers FREE 24-hour cancelations AND has flights on the dates and arrival airport you need.

Here are some larger airlines that allow FREE refunds for reservations canceled within 24 hours of booking. Since airlines can change their policy, confirm with the airline if they still offer refunds with no change or cancelation fees. Additionally, verify your payment is refunded back to your credit card and not issued as flight credit or flight vouchers.

Alaska Airlines:  24-hour free cancellation.  

American Airlines:  Keeps reservations on hold for free for 24-hours.

Delta Airlines:  provides a full refund for cancellation on flight tickets made by midnight the day after the purchase

JetBlue:  24-hour free cancellation.  

United Airlines:  24-hour free cancellation.

  INSIDER TIP   : Booking Direct vs. Online Travel Websites- I find booking my flight directly with airlines is cheaper 90% of the time. While I make nearly all my normal flight bookings directly with airlines vs. using an online travel website, I prefer travel websites when I need a temporary onward ticket. Why? Because online travel websites compile all the options for me, I need to check each airline one by one if I book direct. Since I'm don't plan on ever using or paying for the flight, I don't mind paying for the more expensive flights.

Buy the cheapest one-way ticket

An extreme budget airline like Ryanair, Asia Asia, or Wizz Air can drive down the cost of a one-way flight laughably low. In these situations, you can throw away or consider the ticket disposable. It may seem like a waste of money to burn a ticket, but some low-cost airlines have international flights for $10-$20. My girlfriend once paid less than $10 for a one-way ticket from Vienna, Austria, to Limassol, Cyprus. An Uber in Vienna to the airport costs twice as much as the cost to fly to another country.

Use an Onward Ticket Providers

The Onward Ticket Provider is my travel partner. They provide onward travel solutions by allowing customers to purchase a pre-booked itinerary as proof of onward travel on their website.

You can buy tickets using the site for $14, valid for 48 hours. 

Sample of a confirmed reservation will receive from an Onward Ticket Provider

Four Ways To Travel Without A Ticket With A Scheduled Return

To be 100% clear, I do not recommend the following options. These options carry a high risk of being denied boarding your flight by airline agents or getting deported by Immigration authorities at your destination. Don't risk it. When you can get peace of mind by renting an onward ticket for $14 , why take a chance?

A risky option is to arrive at the airport and try to get on the flight without proof of onward travel and hope no one checks. You'll need to pass through three potential checks:

• At the airline ticket counter during check-in
• By the gate agent before boarding your flight
• By immigration and passport control officers at your destination

I was caught without an onward ticket on my first business trip to Bogota, Colombia. It was my first time in the country, and ignorant about the proof of onward travel requirement. I'll never know why no one checked me at my departure airport or my transit airport. However, Colombian Immigration asked about my onward travel plans when I arrived. 

I apologized profusely to the Immigration officer and politely explained my situation. I showed them my business card and the business card of the clients I was scheduled to meet in Bogota. After a few more questions, he waved me through. I'm not sure if it mattered, but I looked the part of a business traveler with proper business casual attire and a collared shirt.

The airline cares about money. If the check-in agent at the ticket counter denies you boarding for a flight, ask if you can sign a financial liability waiver rather than providing proof of onward travel. Typically, the airline is responsible for getting you out of the country if you are deported. By signing the waiver of liability, you are responsible for your travel costs if immigration denies you entry to your destination. The airline is no longer financially liable if immigration decides to deport you in this situation.

However, even if you successfully convince the airline check-in desk agent, the actual immigration officials at your arrival airport still need to permit you to enter.  

Buy a bus or train ticket [NOT RECOMMENDED]

When you're at the airport or immigration, and they ask for proof of onward travel, one option is to say that you will continue your trip via a land border. Buying a $20 to $30 bus or train ticket seems like an inexpensive way to show you're leaving the country. Sometimes this option works if you're entering a country by land, but most airlines and airport immigration officials won't accept an international bus or train ticket as onward tickets.

Additionally, bus tickets, train tickets, ferry tickets, etc., are harder to book and buy online before arrival, making this option even more inconvenient.

Photoshop a Fake Ticket or fake flight itinerary [NOT RECOMMENDED]

 There are many ways to forge a ticket, but the most common is editing an existing flight itinerary in a photo editor like Photoshop or GIMP. You can even use a word processor like Microsoft Word or Powerpoint to create a realistic-looking fake onward ticket for cheap.

A fake ticket is the riskiest option. Giving a falsified document to a government official is a big mistake. Forging a government document is illegal and can get you into serious trouble if caught. By falsifying a fake ticket and submitting it to a government official, you are essentially lying to the immigration officer and breaking the country's immigration law.

RELATED POSTs ON Philippine Visas

How-To Get A Philippines Visa Extension [2023]: Guide, Fees, Requirements

Philippines visa application forms and visa extension forms, philippines investor visa- how to invest in the philippines for residency, requirements and how-to apply for a philippines visa for uk citizens, philippines visa for us citizens- entry requirements and how to apply, what countries require proof of onward travel.

Surprisingly, there is no comprehensive resource online showing all the countries that require proof of onward travel. However, here is a list of countries I am familiar with that need onward travel tickets.

• Colombia - You may be  denied entry to Colombia  if you do not have a return ticket. 
• Greece - You must arrive in-country with proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket or other evidence that  you will depart Greece . 
• New Zealand
• Philippines -  requires valid return ticket
• United Kingdom
• United States

It's important to note that every country has different requirements for proof of onward travel. Some countries, like Taiwan, do not require an onward ticket for Europeans but do for Vietnamese nationals. Other countries, like Thailand, will ban you from entry if you don't have proof of onward travel.

So, what should you do if you're planning on traveling abroad and don't have a valid onward ticket? The best thing to do is check with the embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting. They will be able to tell you exactly what documents they require for entry.

FAQs: Onward Tickets and Onward Flight Services

Can i choose the airline, destination, or specific flight for my onward ticket.

You can choose a destination, but there is no option for specific flights, times, or airlines. You can pick the departure and arrival airports, the dates, and if you prefer a non-stop flight. Our travel partner reserves the best onward flight instantly to ensure the fastest service.

Can I use my onward ticket as a return ticket?

No. Purchasing an onward ticket from our travel partner only provides a verifiable flight reservation. The reservation is automatically canceled after 48 hours unless you extend the validity for 14 days. You will need to purchase a separate ticket to receive an airline ticket you can use to travel.

What are the benefits of using a rentable onward ticket service?

Using an onward ticket service:

• Simplifies life if you don't know how long you want to stay or where you will go next
• Can be used for check-in verification at the airport and at border controls.
• Is cheaper than buying a throw-away ticket
• Is more flexible than buying a return ticket
• Is less complicated than a refundable ticket.

Overall, we believe that our travel partner's service provides excellent value for those looking for convenience and peace of mind during their travels.

Can I travel without an onward ticket?

An onward ticket is a required document for many countries proving you plan to leave the country and will not stay in the country illegally. Not every country requires a departure ticket. Popular tourist countries requiring proof of onward travel include the  Philippines  and  Colombia .

If I have a visa on arrival, do I still need an onward ticket?

Countries require a departure ticket to crack down on tourists illegally staying in the country. When you leave matters less if you hold a long-term visa, but if you have a short-term tourist visa or visa on arrival, immigration authorities want to ensure you don't overstay your visa dates.  

We moved the comments to the  New Expat Forums

My girlfriend wants me to relocate to the Philippines, so should I purchase a refundable return ticket to show proof to the airport authorities or immigration authorities that I have a return ticket?

Hi Randall,

You are correct. Foreigners without a permanent visa entering the Philippines must show proof of onward travel with a date no more than 30 days from your arrival date.

If you can find a refundable ticket, that works great. Just double-check the T&Cs, as some airlines and travel websites try to sneak in fees or put restrictions on the refund. You can also “rent” a flight reservation for about $14. I use this service all the time when I travel.

https://link.nomadicfire.com/onward-ticket

Enjoy your trip to meet your girlfriend. If you need any additional help, drop us a line.

So I’m going to live in the UK for a year or so, should I buy a one way ticket or just book round trip and just miss the flight back?

You haven’t provided enough information to answer that question, as the requirements depend on your visa and citizenship. Additionally, the UK isn’t a country I focus on, so I am unsure of their specific entry requirements. I suggest checking with the UK embassy in your home country for current specifics.

Hello. Re: extension visa.

He’s staying for 6months but he doesn’t have extension visa yet. Should he buy 2months return ticket then rebooked it when he have extension visa already? Or he can booked 6months return or onward ticket immediately?

He will need a return ticket or other proof of onward travel dated no more than 30 days from arrival. Even if he plans on staying 6 months, he needs to show a flight out in 30 days. Stupid bureaucracy, I know. One recommendation is to get a rented onward travel ticket from this website for $14 .

Then he can extend his Philippes visa and not worry about the onward ticket.

Does that make sense?

I have a 2 day flight to the Philippines. Will booking the onward ticket before i leave still be applicable? I believe their website says it is good for “up to 48 hours”.

Hi, That's me. I'm Marco Sison . I am a survivor of the corporate rat race. I started Nomad FIRE to show you an alternative to the stress and grind of 70-hour weeks to pay off a mortgage, student loans, and countless bills. After getting laid off in 2015, I said screw it all and retired early at 41 years old. I have traveled the last eight years to over 50 countries to show you the best ways to save, invest , and live in amazing countries for 70% less cost than the US. I have been featured in: US News & World Reports, HuffPost, MSN Money, USA Today, ABC Network, Yahoo Finance, the iTunes documentary Seeking FIRE, and the  Amazon Best-Seller , Abroad: Expats That Thrive.  [view press...]

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How to Get Proof of Onward Travel + Free Onward Travel Options

The first time many travellers think about proof of onward travel is when they’re at the airport check-in and the check-in staff ask to see their ticket out of the country.    If you’re on a two-week vacation of a definitive timed stay, this is usually easy, because you have your flight home.  If you’re on an around the world trip, or a digital nomad it is often harder.  While we’ve planned to go to countries, our exit from them is usually a little less planned – I mean we know we’ll leave before our visa ends, but what happens if we want to stay 3 months instead of 2 months is usually the way the conversation goes.   However, after a couple of close calls, it’s in our pre-travel checklist for EVERY country we enter, no matter how we enter it – land, sea or air.  Here’s everything you need to know about proof of onward travel and how to provide it – even if you don’t quite know when you’ll be leaving.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

Proof of onward travel is exactly what it sounds like.  It’s a ticket out of the country to prove that you will be leaving and not staying indefinitely on your tourist visa.  Proof of onward travel isn’t some irritating annoying airline rule.   It’s a way of their government enforcing rules to make sure you don’t stay around after your visa expires.  If you’re travelling in on an aeroplane, then the government requires that airline company to enforce the rules, otherwise the airline may be required to return you to your point of origin.

Entering on a tourist visa?  Lovely, now tell us how you plan to go, and when – just so we know that you won’t run out of money and not be able to afford to leave.

BEST OPTION

Easiest Way to Get Proof of Onward Travel

TLDR: here’s the easiest way to get proof of onward travel – with Onward Ticket – legitimate, easy and cheap >  Buy your onward ticket here.

Some countries even require that you have proof of funds to support yourself during your stay – giving suggested amounts of cash you should hold, or funds in a bank account or at the very least, be able to present a credit card.

What is Proof of Return Travel?

Proof of return travel is slightly different to proof of onward travel. To obtain a visa for some countries – like China – you need to provide proof of return travel to your home country. Note that this in many cases is simply to obtain the visa. Our travels to China were overland and have never included proof of return to our home country. However, we did have a return to our home country flight ticket booked when we applied for and were granted visas.

What Proof of Onward Travel is NOT

Proof of onward travel is simply that.  Proof that you are leaving the country. It is NOT a ticket to take you back to your home destination.  (although to obtain a Chinese visa rather awkwardly you need to show this! – see above as this is known as proof of return travel).  So your ticket for proof of onward travel can be to a neighbouring country, it doesn’t have to be your home base.

Proof of onward travel is NOT a tourist visa – we recommend using iVisa for tourist visas.

Your proof of onward ticket can be an airline ticket , it can be a ferry ticket, a bus ticket or a train ticket.

Why do you need proof of onward travel?

Onward travel proof tends to be laws enacted by the country that you’re visiting to enforce their immigration policies.  So governments don’t want you entering the country on an innocuous tourist visa, deciding you like it, but needing to work or get more money and then not leaving – either because you can’t afford it, or because you’ve decided you’ve got a better life there.  If you decide you like a country enough to want to live there, then you obviously need to go through the proper immigration channels and apply for the appropriate visa.

How is Proof of Onward Travel Enforced?

You’re usually more aware of the requirements for proof of onward travel ticket when you’re at the airport, flying in on a one-way ticket.  When you check in your airline asks you for the details of your next destination.  And the ticket. Or Reservation.  In recent years many countries that enforce proof of onward travel have passed on the responsibility to the airlines. This is the easiest way to get proof of onward travel, here , from Onward Ticket.

Proof of Onward Travel Enforcement at the Airport

And that’s why the airline asks you at check-in.   If you’re refused entry to the country when you get there, then your usual route is to head back to your point of origin.  Thus, if proof of onward travel is required, then the airline will deny you access to the plane unless you have it.  This is the reduce/remove their liability and ensure that if you ARE denied entry to your new country, you’ll have to pay to fly somewhere else, rather than the airline taking you there at their cost!

Why do airlines not let you board without an onward ticket?

Airlines are required by governments to ask for your visa ( check with ivisa if you need one here ) and any other documents that are required. If you arrive in a country and are not allowed to enter because of missing documentation (like proof of onward travel), then the airline has to return you at no charge back to where you departed from.

Proof of Onward Travel Enforcement at Land Borders

If you enter a country over a land border you may also be asked for your ticket out of the country but it will be the immigration officer asking you for your proof of onward travel.  We’ve never been asked for the actual ticket, but we have been asked on many occasions where we are going afterwards, and how we are planning to get there.  (our rule is always to have a plan… even if you don’t have a ticket!)

Proof of Onward Travel Enforcement at River/Sea Borders

We’ve crossed into countries on ferries and boats too.  Immigration rules apply whichever way you enter a country, so you’re just as likely to be asked how you’re leaving if you enter on a ferry.  Again, we might not have a specific ticket, but we always have an answer for how, when and where we’re leaving.

What Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

The list of countries that require proof of onward travel depends on what passport you hold.  Rules might be different for me as a British passport holder to you as a say Indian passport holder.   There’s also the fact that while there may be a law saying that proof of onward travel is required, it may not always be enforced.

The best way to find out if a country that you are visiting requires proof of onward travel is to check with the relevant department in your government.    That department is the one which provides foreign travel advice for you.  Here are a few of the departments for the major countries that we know read this blog.

• Advice from the Canadian Government on proof of onward travel
• Advice from the Government of the USA on proof of onward travel
• Advice from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office on proof of onward travel
• Advice from the Australian Government on proof of onward travel
• Advice from the New Zealand Government on proof of onward travel

Remember, that a country might require proof of onward travel but their agent (whether it’s the airline check-in staff or immigration agents) might not enforce it.

List of Countries that require proof of onward travel

Countries that we know through our own experience that require proof of onward travel (if you are not a citizen) include:

• Antigua & Barbuda > read our Antigua travel checklist here
• Argentina > UK FCO says proof of onward travel MAY be required
• Colombia > read our Colombia travel checklist here – which includes details of requirements for proof of onward travel Colombia
• Costa Rica > read our Costa Rica travel checklist here – includes details of requirements for proof of onward travel Costa Rica
• Japan > read our Japan travel checklist here
• Kenya needs proof of onward travel tickets
• New Zealand
• Panama – check carefully
• South Africa
• The Philippines
• United Kingdom
• United States

Let us know in the comments, if you’ve been asked for proof of onward travel to other countries (and what your passport is!)

Get Proof Onward Travel Tickets Here

You can get proof of onward travel tickets for popular countries here.

• Get proof of onward travel Colombia here
• Get proof of onward travel Mexico here
• Get proof of onward travel Thailand here
• Get proof of onward travel Costa Rica here
• How to Get Proof of Onward Travel

There are several ways in which you can provide proof of onward travel when you enter a country, we cover them here.

Get proof of onward travel with OnwardTicket.com

If you can’t pin down when you’ll be leaving a country, and proof of onward travel is required, then Using Onward Ticket to provide you with a legitimate, real, onward ticket is the easiest way to get proof of onward travel.  Buy your onward ticket here.

Onward Ticket was set up by Digital Nomads to fix the problem that all Digital Nomads face when requiring onward tickets.  You’ll get a cheap, real ticket that works.

There are a bunch of these types of services out there – and many have gone by the wayside.  Onward Ticket is a legitimate and respected onward flight booking company.  With OnwardTicket you get to rent a ticket that’s valid for 48 hours.  It costs you US$14.  And it works immediately.  Sold?  Buy yours now.

Onward Ticket gives you a legit reservation with a PNR in your name.   It’s cancelled after 48 hours.  They even provide a “Buy now, receive later” option.

Read more about how it works here

Advantages of Onward Ticket for Proof of Onward Travel

• With onward ticket you’ll get a 100% genuine reservation. It is a verified booking. You can check it with the airline. It’s not a fake reservation. It’s a real flight reservation that you can use for proof of onward travel.
• It’s cheaper than the alternatives. You’ve likely comparisons of One Way Fly v’s Onward TIcket. They’re cheaper (US$14 versus US$18.90).
• You don’t need to print a ticket. When you buy your proof of onward travel with onward ticket, you’ll get a PDF document that you can show on your phone.
• Onward ticket is the fastest way to get proof of onward travel. It takes two minutes to get proof of onward travel.

Get proof of onward travel with a fully refundable for 24-hours ticket

US airlines are required to allow you to cancel a flight booking within 24 or 48 hours without charge – regardless of whether you have status with them or how cheap the seat you’re booking is.

We tend to use United – (and as United is part of the Star Alliance, there are many codeshare flights, so it doesn’t need to be WITH United, or via the USA).  This is the best way to get an onward flight ticket for free. (but make sure you fully read the refund policies).

You can also do this with the US version of Expedia – note it has to be the .com version of the site.

• Find your flight.
• Check the cancellation terms.
• Confirm that you’ve got enough credit on your credit card
• Book the flight.
• Save the flight receipt and confirmation as screenshots and PDF’s somewhere that you can easily access them. Save a tree or two and don’t print a hard copy.
• Cancel your flight within the free cancellation period

We’ve used this method in many countries.  We’ve even used it at airports when we’ve not been allowed to check in because we didn’t have that proof of onward travel.  In those cases, we walked away booked a flight on the airport Wi-Fi.  We then printed the details to a PDF and screenshot, checked in and then cancelled the flight.

Get proof of onward travel with a flexible flight ticket

This is the most expensive way to provide proof of onward travel.  Buy a fully flexible ticket.  Those are the ones that you see on the far right of the page, that are usually stratospherically more expensive than all other tickets.   This is an absolutely failsafe way of getting proof of onward travel.

Get proof of onward travel with a cheap (sacrificial) ticket

Launch your browser, find google and look at Google flights.  Then just search for the cheapest flight out of the country.  Or even try bus services – bookaway has some awesome options worldwide and if you’re in Asia, 12goAsia is awesome too.  All you’re looking for is a ticket on a specific date that gets you out of the country.

Who knows you might even get a refund if you cancel it – but that’s not what you’re looking for.  You’re looking for a ticket that costs an amount of money that you can afford to sacrifice.  Give it a go!

Get proof of onward travel with points

You might have airline points.  (we had a lot of United miles when we started our adventures left over from my business travel).  You might have miles that you’ve converted from a credit card to airline miles.  Many of the miles programs allow you to book flights and then cancel and get your miles/points returned.  It’s worth a try – check out any schemes that you belong to and see what works for you!

How to use onwardticket.com

Using onward ticket to provide proof of onward travel is easy. You simply choose the itinerary that you need, pay, download your document. And you’re done! That’s it. Easy.

Is it safe to use onwardticket.com?

Yes. It’s safe and legit to use onwardticket.com – they provide you with a 100% genuine flight reservation for the purposes of proof of onward travel.

How NOT to give proof of onward travel

Of course, this isn’t the only way to provide proof of onward travel, here are some other ways of showing proof of onward travel and why you should not use them.

Don’t forge a ticket for proof of onward travel

It’s pretty easy, scan in a ticket, make a few changes, and tada you get a legit-looking ticket that looks pretty good, especially if you’re just looking at it on your phone.  And you can even find some very dodgy services that will do this for you.

DON’T.  DO. IT.

You might get in.  And to be honest, good luck if you try this method.  If you get caught you’re not just trying to get around the law.  You’re breaking it.  You are in essence lying to the immigration officer who will eventually talk to you.  And while the most likely effect of getting caught with this is that you’ll be denied entry to the country that you’re trying to get into.  You’ll also have problems getting there in the future.  And, you may be fined or face jail time.

There are a host of suggestions above as to how you can provide proof of onward travel without breaking the law.

Why is this different from the other ways in which we’ve suggested you can get proof of onward travel?   Well, it is simple.  You’re not lying.   You’re simply handing over the details they asked for, that you bought from a legitimate source.

Of course, if the immigration officer specifically asks you the question “is this ticket still booked and valid, or have you cancelled it?” – well, that would be a good time, to tell the truth. (and no, we don’t know of anyone, anywhere that that has happened to.  Ever).

Don’t take it out on the check-in staff – and don’t try blagging with them

Don’t say oh it’s on my laptop and the battery is dead if it’s not.  The check-in staff aren’t there to judge you, they’re there to do their job.  If they let you on the plane without proof of onward travel and it’s required.  If you don’t get into the country, there’s a high chance they will lose their job, or at the very least get a severe reprimand.

FAQs on Proof of Onward Travel

Got questions about proof of onward travel? Or want to know more about onward ticket requirements and we haven’t answered your questions?  Check out our frequently asked questions about proof of onward travel requirements below, or ask us yours in the comments.

What does onward travel mean?

Proof of onward travel is documentary evidence that you have an onward travel ticket to leave the country.

What is an onward ticket?

An onward ticket is usually an airline ticket or reservation that will take you out of the country. Proof of onward ticket is required by many countries to ensure that you will be leaving the country and have funds to do so. An Onward Ticket is a flight reservation made by a registered travel agency that comes with a PNR(Passenger Name Record)-Code which is verifiable on major airline’s websites. They make a 100% real reservation in your name on the flight.

Can I get a free onward ticket?

Yes. You get a free onward ticket. Usually, the best way to do this is to make a fully refundable reservation with an airline, print off your reservation, enter the country and then cancel your reservations. Of course, fully refundable reservations tend to be expensive and will tie up your credit card funds for a while. You can buy a legal onward travel ticket here with onward ticket for US$14.

Can I read more onward ticket reviews?

Yes. You can read onward ticket reviews on Trustpilot. You’ll find the onwardticket.com reviews here.

What’s the fastest way to get an onward ticket?

Using onwardticket.com to get proof of onward travel is the fastest way to get an onward ticket.

Is onward ticket legal?

Yes, the company is a legitimate company, and the ticket it provides to you is legal and legitimate. Onward Ticket gives you a legit reservation with a PNR in your name. – if and when the airlines check it, it will come up as a legitimate onward travel ticket.   It’s cancelled after 48 hours.  They even provide a “Buy now, receive later” option.

How does onwardticket.com compare with one way fly?

Onwardticket.com is cheaper and faster than onewayfly. Onward ticket costs US$14 ( buy it here ) One way fly costs US$18.90.

What else do you need to know about Proof of Onward Travel?

We think we’re done and have covered all the questions we usually get asked.  Let us know what other questions you have about Proof of Onward travel in the comments, or drop us an email and we’ll include the answers in this article!

More Travel Tips from ASocialNomad

• Tips for Socialising Abroad
• Tips to Make World Travel More Fun
• Choosing the Right Technology for your Travel
• How to Find the Best Safari Holidays
• Drinking Tap Water While Traveling
• Tips for Stress Free Travel

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8 thoughts on “ How to Get Proof of Onward Travel + Free Onward Travel Options ”

• 8 comments

2 weeks ago, at the airport, going to Brunei I could not even get to the check in counter. There was a man stopping you. 1of the questions, and there were many, was proof of departure from Brunei. I booked a $20 bus ticket out of the country, screenshot it. He did not understand the screenshot, so he had to get someone else, younger who did. Losing $20 doesn’t bother me.

Cool idea! Much cheaper than a plane ticket.!

Had 2 problems: First time in 2011. While in LA, I was returning to Costa Rica on US Airways. The airline agent would not accept my open ticket on TransNica bus. I stood firm and after a few minutes with airline management. They decided to let Phoenix personnel handle it (connecting flight). I got to Phoenix and there was No Problem.They were wanting force me to buy an airline ticket. Second time in 2014. I was living in Panama moving back to Costa Rica. I had to make 2 trips. Upon returning to Panama from my first trip the Panama agent ask to see a return air ticket back to the USA (my country of residence). I had a bus ticket back to Costa Rica a few days later. I was instructed to go to an internet cafe across the street and get a ticket. I speak Spanish and I understood that the internet cafe was wanting me to buy a flight internary for $40 which is no a ticket. It seems like the internet cafe would split the money with Panama IMG later. It was a Scam. I went back across the border (it’s an open border) to an Internet Cafe and bought a ticket to Fort Lauderdale. I then returned to Panama IMG and presented my ticket. After about 20 minutes and much discussion because it was a real ticket and not an internary, I got my Visa. Upon getting home, I call the airline and cancelled the ticket.

This PoOT was definitely more hack proof before the internet! Safe travels!

Thanks for this—very useful. You might want to add the following to the list of countries requiring this: 1. Panama: They were very strict when I went in 2018 and according the FCO site, I have no reason to believe this has changed. According to a leaflet that was handed out on the cross-border shuttle service, they are satisfied with an air ticket out of any other Central American country besides Panama itself. Not sure if bus tickets to e.g. Costa Rica suffice—may need checking out. 2. Argentina: the FCO site says proof of onward travel MAY be required. This presumably means their immigration service have the right to demand this although on my last visits there (in 2016) no one did this.

Thanks James, updates made and much appreciated!

Nairobi, Kenya, Africa requires onward travel. I’m from the US.

Thanks Karen, I’ll update the post, lots of things have changed in recent times!

Privacy Overview

What is Proof of Onward Travel and What Are Your Options?

Proof of onward travel is a common yet frustrating question that you might get asked for when you’re travelling into a new country. This is especially the case if you're travelling with flexible plans, and don't necessarily have your next country planned (or booked) yet.

Proof of onward travel is usually requested when checking in at the airport, however I’ve also heard some stories of a few people who have been asked for proof of onward travel while crossing land borders, Basically, it's evidence that you'll be leaving the country before your visa expires, usually in the form of a flight ticket to another country.

The easiest way to bypass proof of onward travel?

Rent an onward ticket.

This is the simplest and most reliable method (although there are other ways too). Read on to learn more about proof of onward travel and your options.

Proof of onward travel causes endless confusion amongst travellers, so it’s good to know what your options are and to do a little bit of research into your next country beforehand. Sometimes airport staff get it wrong as well – I’ve once had to argue my way onto a flight from South Korea to Vietnam, which doesn’t require proof of onward travel.

Proof of onward travel seems to be requested more often in South East Asia (probably due to the high volume of expats doing monthly visa runs). I've also been questioned when flying into the UK as well.

Skip to Section

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

In short, proof of onward travel is evidence that you will be leaving your destination country. This is usually a return flight ticket or another flight ticket to your home (or next) country. A land border crossing in the form of a bus or train ticket is usually accepted as well, but I’ve heard quite a few stories of airport staff specifically asking for a flight ticket.

Proof of onward travel is required by some countries for all sorts of reasons, but in general, it’s to make sure that:

• You have enough money to leave the country.
• You intend to leave the country before your visa expires.
• You don’t intend to stay in the country (illegally).

If you think about it, using proof of onward travel to determine one of the above scenarios doesn’t seem like a particularly bright idea, but for now, it’s best to treat it as just one of those old, bureaucratic rules that haven’t yet been updated.

What Counts as Proof of Onward Travel?

A flight ticket out of the country you're visiting is the best proof of onward travel. Technically, bus or train tickets should be accepted as well, but a flight ticket is your safest bet as this is what border control is used to. If you're not sure, you should try and find an official source (e.g. the government website of the country you're visiting) or play it safe with one of the options below.

The cheapest and most surefire way is to rent a ticket .

What Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

Countries that definitely require proof of onward travel include Peru, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama.

My personal experience of being asked for proof of onward travel was flying into Thailand. I was also asked for proof when flying to Vietnam, but I did my research and found that proof of onward travel was not needed. I showed my evidence to the check-in desk at Bangkok Airport, and they finally let me through.

I tried digging around some more to find a more comprehensive list, but couldn't find one - not to mention, it probably changes from time to time. Renting a ticket alleviates this uncertainty altogether, but if you want to check your destination's government resources - more power to you!

How to Get Proof of Onward Travel

My first experience with a request for proof of onward travel was when I flew with a one-way ticket from Sydney to Thailand several years ago. I intended to catch an overnight bus into Cambodia before my one-month visa expired, but I wasn’t sure when – so I didn’t have a ticket yet.

Thailand requires an onward ticket, and I didn’t want to pay for one. So, like any self-respecting digital native of the 21st century, I went to the internet to find answers. And as always, the internet delivered: with hundreds of pages of conflicting advice from self-proclaimed “experts”, hare-brained theories and generally inconsistent anecdotes.

Not exactly the clarity I wanted. Thanks, internet.

So, what are your options?

1. Risk It and Smile

While it’s possible that you won’t be asked for proof of onward travel at the airport, it’s a good idea to be prepared on the off-chance that it might happen. Life is full of unexpected surprises: tour taxi to airport could be late, there could be traffic… and you might get denied entry when boarding your flight.

This leaves you with no choice but to book an onward flight (or follow one of the options below), and if you’re short on time, you might end up missing your flight altogether. The alternatives are so simple that there really is no point in risking it.

Verdict: high risk, not recommended.

2. Create a Fake Ticket Confirmation

If you’re a Photoshop whiz, you can try editing an old email confirmation from another airline or travel agent. Just make sure that the flight number and departure times of the flight you’ll be “boarding” actually exists!

Alternatively, you can start the booking process with some airlines and take a screenshot of the check-out screen. Some creative cropping will result in a document you can keep on your phone to show at the gate.

I’ve met a lot of people that advocate this approach, but personally, I’m not a fan. While it’s highly unlikely that they’ll actually check the details at the gate, this method leaves you vulnerable to accusations of knowingly forging official documents. And let’s be honest: that’s exactly what you’ve done. You’ll have almost no options to defend yourself and completely at the mercy of the airport official.

3. Buy a Flexible Date Ticket

Another legitimate way of skirting around the onward travel rules is to buy a ticket where you can change the flight dates. The issue is that flexible date tickets are often significantly more expensive, especially if you compare it against local airlines that offer flights that are inflexible but are also half the price (or less).

Verdict: expensive.

4. Buy a Cheap Throwaway Ticket

While expensive, this the most legitimate way to beat the system. In fact, this is what most process-abiding airline staff will tell you if they find you don’t have an onward ticket.

In a nutshell, this method requires you to buy the cheapest ticket possible to a nearby country, while still being within your visa period. I’ve also heard of people getting by with a cheap bus or train ticket between countries, although it seems like there have been mixed results with this approach. Still, this strategy is expensive – not to mention wasteful.

Verdict: unnecessary, expensive and wasteful.

5. Hold a Flight Ticket for 24 Hours

All US airlines (and some online travel agencies) are also required to offer a 24 hour “hold” period. With this method, you can reserve a ticket at a certain price for 24 hours. You’ll be issued with a confirmation email, which you can show to the airport staff if asked.

This was my personal preference for a while as it’s completely free, however I’ve heard stories of some people having their flight reservations questioned at the airport. It’s hard to say whether they got unlucky or the airports have become wise to the act, but this method is still a relatively low risk way of bypassing proof of onward travel. If all else fails, combine it with method #6 or #7 if you’re challenged at the airport.

Verdict: low risk, but not foolproof.

6. Buy a Refundable Flight Ticket

In the United States, all airline companies are required by federal law to provide a complete refund on all bookings within a 24 hour period. This means that you can book any flight at random, use it to get into your destination country as “proof of onward travel”, then get all your money back.

Just make sure you process the refund before the 24 hour refund period expires!

The best way to do this is to pay by credit card to avoid dipping into your savings, or even better, to use your frequent flyer miles. All US airline companies should honour the 24 hour refund period, however there has been some chatter about American Airlines phasing out this option. To make sure you’re not going to stuck with a $1000 flight across the world, make sure you do your research: read the fine print before booking and make sure you have enough time to cancel before your 24 hours are up.

Verdict: low risk, but could be expensive if you don't cancel in time.

7. Rent an Onward Ticket

There are a number of services that allow you to rent a ticket for a small fee. At first, these services were using the “hold a flight ticket for 24 hours” method which made them rather unnecessary, but they have since become more sophisticated. When you present your flight number and details at the airport desk, you will now actually show up on airport systems – making this a legitimate way of having peace of mind.

As far as these services go, the self-titled  Onward Ticket website is a good place to get yourself an onward ticket. At the time of writing, renting a ticket costs $12.

Verdict: highly recommended.

Final Thoughts

Proof of onward travel is an inconvenience that travellers will have to face at one point or another, so it’s good to be informed and have a plan before you end up stuck without being able to board your flight.

The simplest way to avoid any headaches is to simply  buy an onward ticket , but if you’re game, either holding a 24 hour reservation or refunding a flight ticket within 24 hours is also an option. Just be prepared in case an over-zealous airport official keeps asking questions.

If asked why you’re holding (and not buying) the ticket, you can simply say you’re waiting to see how price changes, or that you simply forgot. Make up an excuse. If they won’t get off your case, simply book the ticket on the spot. Just be sure that you can process the refund in time!

Whichever method you decide to use, don’t forget to smile and be friendly to all airport staff. Simply being nice can get you free seat upgrades, less questions, and even in one case, an exemption when I tried to bring 12kg of carry-on luggage onto an airline with a 7kg maximum.

If you have other strategies or experiences, I’d love to hear from you!

One more life hack how to create a real ticket for 24h for free: 1. Go to aeroflot.com and book a flight ticket 2. On the payment screen change language to RU. 3. Choose payment method by cash 4. They will give you booking number PNR for 24h. But without flight itinerary 5. Go to Photoshop for create itinerary Good Luck

Hey Weekends, this sounds pretty similar to the 2nd method listed here. All in all, I'd still recommend the 7th method to most people. It's just safer and it seems like airport officials are getting savvier. I personally wouldn't want to be caught with a Photoshopped ticket!

My bf and I just used fake flight tickets while traveling to Bali. It's a dummy ticket that looks exactly like the confirmation you get from Expedia.

good luck with your travels!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I like the idea of renting a ticket.. I personally just bough the cheapest out of Thai to vietnam which I'll be happy to go to.. do you know if they will ask for onward proof?

Hey Firo, if you've bought a legitimate ticket you simply have to fill in the arrival card with your next destination. Thailand's border security has a reputation of asking for proof of onward travel, but you might not get asked at all. On the occasions that I've flown into Thailand, it was a 50/50 change on whether I was questioned or not.

Alternatively, you can rent a legitimate ticket with a provider such as Onward Ticket . This allows you to change your mind later on - for example, if you don't want to head to Vietnam any more.

So did the hold ticket work for you every time? How do I find the hold ticket, which page should I find it at? And any idea if trying to get a 60 days visa in my country from consulate is that also ok to use the hold ticket, any experience?

I've used the hold ticket method quite a lot of times and I haven't had any issues. You simply need to book with an American airline (any of them will do). That said, the last time I did this was a few years ago, so now I'd suggest renting a ticket instead - just to be safe.

As for your visa situation, I can't really say without knowing what visa you're trying to get. Depending on where you're going, some visa applications require that you provide an exit ticket (that is, a "confirmation" is not enough), but again, this really comes down to your personal situation and where you're going. Hope this helps!

We're traveling from the US to Singapore, Sabah Malaysia, Brunei, The Philippines then back to the US. The only tickets we have purchased are from the US to Singapore and from The Philippines back to the US. If we show our return ticket from the Philippines back to the US, will that be adequate for boarding flights to the other countries?

Hey Boyd, I'd say that this should be fine if you can show the full itinerary and the connecting flights.

The main thing that each country cares about is when you're going to leave, not where . Officially, Singapore and the Philippines both require proof of onward travel to enter the country (although there's a chance they just won't check). I suspect Malaysia will also ask, but I'm not 100% sure as this was one of the rare times I had an exit flight booked before I landed in the country.

Best of luck and safe travels!

Great article ! Onward tickets keep your booking with PNR confirmed for 14 days. Which is perfect for visa application as well. (i'm not paid to say that :p )

Hey Lucie, thanks for sharing! I didn't know about it working for visa applications too, but perhaps that would be useful someone else reading this 🙂

I rent onward tickets. Service could not be better! Immediate responses, personal attention, authentic ticket and they cancel it automatically. I highly recommend and will use them again.

Number 3 may not work in Thailand. If they ask you for proof, they won't accept an open ticket, as even their consulate's page mentions this. For Thailand, the easiest way seems to be a smile, a 'hello' in Thai, or, if you want to stay on the safe side: a throw-away ticket for 20 bucks from AirAsia.

Hey Roman, I think you've misunderstood #3. Purchasing a flexible exit ticket with the option of changing the departure date is 100% abiding by Thailand's rules. If you're going to buy a throwaway ticket, you may as well rent an onward ticket and save yourself a few dollars. Being nice to the person at the desk is always a good idea though 🙂

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How to book onward ticket: A step-by-step guide

Updated: September 8, 2023

When entering a country, the airline staff or the immigration officer may ask you to show a return or onward ticket. If you do not hold a return or onward ticket, you may be denied boarding or deported. 

If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use an online agent such as onwardticket.com to book onward ticket for a nominal fee. 

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to book onward ticket using onwardticket.com . 

Table of Contents

What is onward ticket.

An onward ticket is a booked flight ticket out of the country that you are about to enter. This could be a flight ticket to the next country on your itinerary or a ticket back to your home country. Though an onward ticket can be a bus or train ticket, immigration officers insist on showing a flight ticket as a proof

How does onward ticket work?

Onward ticket works as proof of onward travel . This helps airline staff and immigration officers to make the decision whether to let you enter the country or not. 

For a nominal fee, onward ticket providers reserve flight tickets on your behalf and cancel them after 48-72 hours. These onward tickets are only reservations and not fully-paid tickets with e-ticket numbers. 

Steps to book onward ticket with onwardticket.com

• Go to onwardticket.com
• Click on the “BOOK NOW” button

Enter the following information on this page.

• One-Way or Round-Trip [ Comment: Select “One-Way” or “Round Trip” ]
• Route [ Comment: Select “From” and “To” airports ]
• Date [ Comment: Select “Departure” and “Return” dates ]

Click on the right arrow “->” button.

02. Passengers

• Contact Email [ Comment: Enter your email address where you would like to receive your onward ticket ]
• Title, First Name, Last Name [ Comment: Enter your title/prefix, first name and last name as per your passport ]
• Additional Passengers [ Comment: If you have additional passengers traveling with you, click the “+” button to add their names ]

03. Options

Enter the following information in this section.

• Receive now
• Receive later
• Direct flight

04. Confirm

On this page, review your details and make sure they are correct and accurate.

Check the box for “I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy”.

Click on the “CONFIRM AND PAY” button.

05. Payment

• Coupon code [ Comment: Exclusive discount for Visa Traveler readers – enter VT5 for 5% discount ]
• Card [ Comment: If you prefer card payment, enter your credit or debit card details ]
• Paypal [ Comment: If you prefer Paypal, click on “Paypal” and follow the instructions ]

Click on the “PAY” button.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT FOR VT READERS Use code VT5 for a 5% discount on your onward ticket purchase with onwardticket.com

06. Booking Confirmed

After the payment, you will be taken to the booking confirmation page.

On this page, click on the “DOWNLOAD” button to download your onward ticket.

You will also receive an email with a copy of your onward ticket. You can download your onward ticket PDF from the email as well. 

You can carry a print of your onward ticket or simply save it on your phone to show it to the airline staff or immigration officer. 

You can also verify your onward ticket on the airline’s website for accuracy and validity. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to get a free onward ticket.

An onward ticket must be verifiable. Free onward tickets are either fake or non-verifiable. If verified by the airline staff or immigration officer, you may be denied boarding the flight or entering the country.

Is onward ticket legal for travel?

Yes. Onward tickets are legal as they come with a PNR number that can be verified on the airline website. Keep in mind that onward tickets do not have an e-ticket number like a fully-paid ticket has.

What is the cheapest onward ticket option?

Best Onward Ticket is the cheapest at $12 per ticket. But the booking is not instant. You will have to wait a few minutes to an hour to receive the ticket to your email. Onward Ticket is slightly expensive at $16 but you can download the ticket instantly. 

When traveling to a country, you may be required to hold a return or onward ticket. Otherwise, you may be denied boarding or deported. If you aren’t sure about your travel plans or traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use an online agent such as onwardticket.com to book onward ticket for a small fee.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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The Ultimate Guide To Proof Of Onward Travel

This page may contain affiliate links which means I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase with them. This helps keep the site running and the travel tips coming! For more info, check out my Privacy Policy & Disclosure .

Providing proof of onward travel is something that many countries around the world require from visiting tourists.  Countries do this because they want to avoid illegal immigration from people who enter the country on a tourist visa and simply choose not to leave it.

Requiring visitors to provide proof of onward travel is similar to requiring them to get tourist visas ahead of time, but they are separate because even if you are allowed to enter a country visa-free, you may still be denied entry or even denied boarding for your flight to that country if you are not prepared with this proof!

For most travelers, providing proof of onward travel is as easy as showing their return flight ticket home, but for others such as long-term travelers, last-minute planners, digital nomads, or country-hoppers, it’s a bit more complicated than that since more often than not, you only bought a one-way ticket!

On this page, I will tell you everything you need to know about providing proof of onward travel, including all the possible ways you can do it.

Table of Contents

Which countries require proof of onward travel.

Most countries around the world have it as an official requirement to enter the country, but not all of them enforce it.  There are however a few countries that are almost guaranteed to ask you for proof of onward travel every time and they are Brazil , Costa Rica, Indonesia , New Zealand , Panama, Peru , the Philippines , the UK , and the US .  

That being said, I was also asked for it before visiting Hong Kong so you never really know when it’s going to happen as oftentimes, it all depends on the immigration officer or airline check-in agent you interact with.  Many of them will let you enter the country without it, but others won’t.

To reduce your chances of getting asked for it, try to avoid dressing like someone who looks like they have no money.  Appearances matter, especially to immigration officers and airline check-in agents who have to make decisions based on what they see, so being well put-together goes a long way.

You can also do a google search ahead of time to find out if it’s common or not for people to get asked for proof of onward travel when visiting the country you plan to travel to, but if you really want to be prepared, the best thing you can do is have proof of onward travel for every country you plan to visit regardless!

When do you need proof of onward travel?

Proof of onward travel is needed at every port of entry to a country that checks for it.  When entering via land, more often than not it will be the immigration officer at the border crossing who asks you for the proof, but when entering via sea or air, it is actually usually the airline or ferry agent who will ask you for it before allowing you to board.

To make it easier for their immigration departments, most countries have placed this burden on the airlines and ferry companies that take you there meaning that it probably won’t be an immigration officer who asks you for proof of onward travel, but rather the airline or ferry company’s check-in agent at the airport or ferry terminal before you board your flight or ferry to that country.

They make sure the airlines and ferry companies enforce it too by slapping them with fines and forcing them to cover the cost of deporting you back to your home country if it is discovered that they let you board your flight or ferry without proof of onward travel so don’t expect to get off easy if it’s not an immigration officer checking.

That being said, just because you got checked by an airline or ferry official doesn’t mean that you won’t also get checked by the immigration official when you arrive.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you are prepared with this proof of onward travel to avoid having to buy an expensive last-minute ticket or getting denied boarding to the flight/ferry or entry to the country because you don’t have it.

What qualifies as proof of onward travel?

For most travelers, simply showing the airline check-in agent and/or immigration officer your return flight ticket or confirmation does the job.  Most of them prefer seeing it in paper form, so I recommend printing it out and keeping it on you if you can, but it’s not always a dealbreaker.  In addition, the ticket or confirmation must be for a departure that occurs before your visa expires.

However, if you don’t have a return flight ticket because you are entering the country by land/sea or you only bought a one-way ticket, then you will need another form of proof.  Some countries will accept bus, train, or ferry tickets to your next destination as proof of onward travel, but most will require flight tickets or confirmations as they are more easily verified.

Most of the time they just want to see some kind of indication that you are planning to leave the country at some point so that means all they will do is take a quick look at your flight confirmation and let you go, but sometimes they will actually check their systems to make sure the flight you’re booked on actually exists so it’s important to be prepared.

How to get proof of onward travel?

The problem for long-term travelers and most people who like to travel spontaneously and/or without planning everything in advance is that they don’t always have proof of onward travel available like the average short-term, return-flight traveler does.

Luckily though, there are ways to get this proof without having to pay for return flights you don’t need and/or planning your whole trip in advance.  Here are the best ways you can do it:

1. Use Expedia.com to book a fully refundable flight within 24 hours

Using Expedia.com to book a fully refundable flight within 24 hours is the best way to get proof of onward travel as it gives you a legitimate flight confirmation which you can show to any immigration, airline, or ferry official and which they can cross-reference for verification if needed.  

It’s also the most flexible way to get proof of onward travel as well since you can simply wait until an official actually asks you for it before getting it, as long as you have an internet connection.

Note: while many airports these days have free wifi available, some do not so having a travel-ready phone with a prepaid SIM card really comes in handy in times like these.

And since it is fully refundable, all you have to do is cancel the ticket within those 24 hours (ideally after you’ve already passed through immigration and entered the new country) and after a few business days, you get all your money back meaning it’s a completely free way to provide proof of onward travel!

Note: this can only be done by using the US version of Expedia (i.e. the ‘.com’ version and not any others).  This also means that you will not be able to change the currency you pay with meaning that you will lose money on the foreign currency conversion fee if your card’s currency isn’t USD.  Either get yourself a good no-FX fee debit card and/or credit card for traveling or try method #2 below for more currency options.

How it works:

The way it works is that you just travel as you normally would, not worrying about having proof of onward travel, and if/when you do get asked for it by an official, just tell them to give you a sec while you book it right now.  

Note: if you want to play it safe, you can also do this at your hotel, or wherever you have an internet connection, right before leaving for the airport every time you travel to a new country, but as long as you have internet at the airport, that’s not necessary.

Then pull out your phone, go to Expedia.com , and search for any one-way flight from the country you’re about to enter, going anywhere outside that country, and that departs anytime before your visa would expire.

Make sure to pick a flight that has the green text “Free Cancel w/in 24 hrs” next to the price.

Once you pick one, first check that there is no booking fee in the Trip Summary since that’s non-refundable (if there is, go back and pick a different flight), and then scroll down to click on Continue Booking, making sure that it still says “Free Cancellation within 24 hours of booking!” underneath it.

Note: don’t get confused by what it says in the ‘Important Flight Information’ section as this only applies to the booking after Expedia’s free 24 hour cancellation period has ended.

Fill in all the information required and make sure that it still says “Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking!” underneath ‘Review and book your trip’ before clicking on ‘Complete Booking’, then make the booking.

Note: ignore what it says in “3. Review the terms of your booking” since again, that only applies to the booking after Expedia’s free 24 hour cancellation period has ended.

Take note of the exact time that the 24-hour cancellation period expires and set a reminder for yourself on your phone to cancel it before it does.  You can find this by clicking on “View my Itinerary” and then “Manage reservation”.  Remember to also take note of the time zone and factor it in your reminder if you will be crossing any on your flight.

Make sure you received the confirmation email for the flight booking and then show it to the official that requested it.  Once you’ve passed immigration and entered the country, either click on “cancel my reservation” in the confirmation email or go to “Manage Reservation” via “My Trips” on Expedia.com by using your itinerary number (also found in the email).

Click on “Cancel Flight” and confirm that you want to cancel it.  Once it’s cancelled, verify that the full amount will be refunded to you.  Then verify that the reservation was successfully cancelled by going back to “My Trips” and checking the reservation.  It should say cancelled and the “New Total” for the trip should be $0.00.  You should also receive a cancellation confirmation email.

Check your bank account or credit card for the refund and enjoy your flexible time in the country you’re visiting!  If you ever run into any issues during this process, just contact Expedia support : 1-877-227-7481.

2. Use United.com to book a fully refundable flight within 24 hours

While the Expedia method is a good one, it does have a few disadvantages, one of which is the fact that you can’t change the currency you pay with, meaning that you will lose some money on the foreign exchange fee, both when paying for the flight and when getting your refund, if you don’t have a no-FX fee debit card / credit card  and your card’s currency isn’t in USD.

Luckily however, you can use the exact same method when booking a flight via United.com as well since US law requires all US airlines to provide free 24-hour cancellation (or holds*) to any flights booked through them as long as the flight was booked at least 7 days before departure.

*A hold is similar, but the difference is that in a hold, a booking is created without you actually paying for it and then held for you for 24 hours, after which it gets automatically cancelled if you don’t end up paying for it.

The cool thing is that the flight you book on their website doesn’t even have to be a flight operated by United as it can be one of their codeshares meaning as long as you use their website to book it, it falls under those rules.  It won’t show you as many flight options as Expedia will, but it still has quite a few available.

United isn’t the only airline (US or not) to offer 24-hour free cancellation, but it is one of the few that will let you book flights using their website (and cancellation policy) for other airlines meaning you can use it to book a flight on the other side of the world that’s operated by a totally different airline.  In addition, United lets you pay in many different currencies, helping you save on foreign exchange fees.

Similar to the Expedia method, when you need a refundable ticket to show to an official, just go to United.com and search for any one-way flight from the country you’re about to enter, going anywhere outside that country, and that departs anytime before your visa would expire.

Pick the cheapest flight you can find and scroll down to check the terms and conditions.  Make sure it says “All customers booking at united.com may request a 100% refund within 24 hours of ticketing.”  In addition, make sure it says “Book without worry. Cancel for free within 24 hours of booking” underneath the ‘Continue’ button, then click it.

Fill in your information and press ‘Continue’ again.  Say no to the added insurance and make sure “pay in full” is selected.  When you get to the payment screen, make sure it still says “You will have up to 24 hours to change your mind” under the Terms & conditions.

Note: don’t worry about the line that says “This ticket is nonrefundable, and a fee may apply for changes” as that only applies to the booking after United’s free 24 hour cancellation period has ended.

If you want to change the currency, just click the country and language at the bottom of the screen (if on mobile) or the top (if on desktop) and select the country you want to change the currency to.

Click on ‘Purchase’ and take note of the exact time that you made the booking, setting a reminder for yourself on your phone to cancel it before the 24-hour period expires.  Remember to also take note of the time zone and factor it in your reminder if you will be crossing any on your flight.

Make sure you received the confirmation email for the flight booking and then show it to the official that requested it.  Once you’ve passed immigration and entered the country, either click on “Manage Reservation” in the confirmation email or go to “Find a Trip” via “My Trips” on United.com by using your confirmation number (also found in the email).

Click on “Cancel Flight” and confirm that you want to cancel it.  Once it’s cancelled, verify that the reservation was successfully cancelled by going back to “My Trips” and checking it.  You should also receive a cancellation confirmation email.

Check your bank account or credit card for the refund and enjoy your flexible time in the country you’re visiting!  If you ever run into any issues during this process, just contact United support: 1-800-864-8331.

3. Use your travel points/miles to book a fully refundable flight

This method is quite similar to the previous two, however it has one major difference and it’s that you’re not actually spending any of your actual money to do it (even though you should be getting that money back with the first two methods anyways).

Instead, you use the travel points/miles that you’ve accumulated with whatever program you use to book your fully refundable flight and and follow the exact same procedure as outlined in the previous two methods to get your points back once you’ve passed immigration.

Oftentimes, booking with points comes with longer free cancellation periods and the points usually get refunded instantly instead of having to go through a waiting period of several business days as you would if paying with actual money.

If you have enough travel points/miles to do this, then it’s highly recommended.

Since there are many different travel points/miles programs out there, I can’t provide exact instructions on how to do it with them, but the process should be very similar to the Expedia and United methods so just follow the instructions laid out above.  

Note: make sure to read all the details for your program before using it to buy any tickets to ensure that you will get all your points back after cancelling your ticket.

4. Use an Onward Flight Ticket Service

If you don’t have enough travel points/miles or you just don’t want to spend real money on a flight booking by using the Expedia or United methods just in case something goes wrong and you don’t get your full refund, then using an Onward Flight Ticket Service is a good alternative.

What these services do is essentially follow the same procedure that the Expedia and United methods follow, except they’re the ones that actually make the booking (under your name), pay for it, and then cancel it after a period of 48-72 hours (depending on the service) only charging you a small fee for this.  

And since they are real reservations, you can verify them yourself by using the PNR number provided to check your reservation on the airline’s website.  This also means that immigration and airline officials can verify them in their own systems too.

You still have to pick the departure date and in some cases, the destination airport for the flight, but the service spares you from taking the larger financial risk involved with booking your own ticket.  You also benefit from a longer cancellation period that you don’t have to set a reminder for meaning you can have more time to use your ticket before it gets cancelled automatically for you.  

Most of them also allow you to choose a specific time/date that you want the ticket to be delivered (for an extra fee), meaning you can plan ahead to have the 48-72 hour timer start on the same day that you plan to enter the country that asks for proof of onward travel.

However, it’s also important to note that most of these services won’t provide you with an e-ticket number and some travelers have reported that some officials require it for valid proof of onward travel so if you want to avoid running into this situation yourself or you just need another solution, then try method #5.

Which service to use?

There are several different websites out there that provide this service and it’s important to do a little research on them before you give them your money since some of them either provide poor service or just take your money and run (such as flyonward.com which is no longer in business), but here are a few that I found:

• OnwardTicket.com This service costs $12 USD and provides you with a real ticket that is valid for 48 hours.  What makes this service stand out is the fact that they are the only ones to actually give you the ticket instantly meaning that you can wait until you are asked for the proof of onward travel by an official before actually paying for it.  Every other service has a waiting period varying from 30 minutes to 12 hours.
• RentOnwardTicket.com If you want to save some money or get a little extra ticket time, then this service is another alternative.  They only cost $9 USD and their tickets are valid for 72 hours, but they do not provide instant tickets meaning that you can’t get them spontaneously as you could with OnwardTicket.com .  Their waiting period is only 30-120 minutes however, so it’s not too bad.  If you aren’t in a rush, then you can save a bit of money with them!
• OneWayFly.com However, if it’s more important that your ticket is valid for even longer than 72 hours, then this is the best service you can use since their tickets are valid for 14 days.  This is especially useful for visa applications since you don’t know when they will check your flight reservation validity during your application.  This comes at a higher price though, either $19 USD or 19€, and their waiting period is between 30 minutes to 12 hours.

5. Book the cheapest onward travel you can find

If none of the previous solutions work for you, then you will have to book some form of onward travel that you just have to essentially sacrifice.  Try and see if the immigration or airline official will accept a bus, train, or ferry ticket out of the country as those are typically cheaper than flights (especially buses).

If that’s acceptable to them, then book the cheapest ticket you can find.  I tell you how you can find the cheapest bus, train, and ferry tickets in their respective guides:

• Guide to Bus Travel
• Guide to Train Travel

However more often than not, they will require a flight ticket out of the country and if that’s the case for you, then you will have to find the cheapest one-way flight possible.  The best way to do this is by using Google Flights’ Explore Map feature.  Learn how to use it in Part 2 of my Guide to Google Flights .

To increase your chances of finding a cheap flight, use the Flexible Dates feature to show you the cheapest flights in a particular month (that departs before your visa would expire) and make sure to look for one-way flights leaving the biggest airport in the country (which you can find in its Destination Guide ).  

You can also check and see if that flight can be booked for a cheaper price by using Momondo .  See my Guide to Momondo for more information.

Sometimes the tickets you buy will even be partially refundable, letting you recoup some of the losses you’d incur, but at the end of the day, you are still losing money by doing this so it should only be a last resort should any of the previous methods not work for you.

6. See if they will accept a signed liability waiver instead

This is something you could try before any of the previous methods, but it doesn’t always work.  Essentially, it involves asking the airline official if they will accept a signed liability waiver instead of an onward travel ticket.

This liability waiver basically removes the responsibility for the airline to ensure that you have the means to leave the country before your visa expires and puts it all on you.  It takes form as a contract that you have to sign, which the airline will use if they’re ever questioned by immigration as to why they let you board the flight without proof of onward travel.

Not every airline will offer this as an option, but it’s worth asking because you never know!  This may sometimes also work with immigration officials in certain countries, but not always.  

Note: if you decide to try this, it should not be your only option and you should always have a plan B available in the form of one of the previous methods discussed here.

7. Create a fake travel itinerary (RISKY)

This method is a very risky one and not one that I would recommend considering all the other legal options available above, so doing it is at your own risk.

What makes it risky is that by doing it, you are lying to an immigration official which is considered to be a crime in most, if not all, countries around the world, and can lead to much worse situations than simply getting deported.  

In addition, although lying to an airline official is not technically a crime if they’re the ones that ask you for the proof, it’s still risky since they have the ability of verifying your itinerary in their system.

Most of the time if the itinerary is done well, they won’t notice that it’s fake since all they do is just glance at it and don’t actually verify it, but some of them will check that the flight on your itinerary actually exists or that you’re actually booked on it, so you need to make sure you’re prepared for that if you do decide to go this route.

How it’s done:

To lower the risk of getting caught, you need to make sure that the fake travel itinerary you create is with a different airline (and ideally, one that’s not part of the same airline alliance) than the one that you are flying with since they cannot check your status with other airlines.  

In addition, you have to make sure all the flight information on the itinerary corresponds to real existing flights on that day so when an immigration official checks that it actually exists, they will be able to find it.

If you’re a photoshop whiz, then you could attempt to edit an old itinerary of yours, but if you don’t want to take the risk of messing that up, you could also use a fake online ticket generator.  

There are a few on the web, but the itineraries some of them produce aren’t super well done and others have started to become recognized as fake by border officials around the world.

The best one out there is FakeFlightTickets.com which generates a convincing Expedia flight itinerary for you based on real existing flights and your information.  It costs $5 USD for the service and is delivered to you instantly.  Again, using this service is done at your risk.

And that’s all there is to it!

Getting proof of onward travel is an annoying nuisance that many long-term travelers have to deal with, but with this guide, you should be able to handle it stress-free!

And while some may argue that all of the methods presented here are still cheating the system (and not just method #7), that’s simply not true since you are still planning to leave the country at some point (hopefully), you just don’t know when or how that will be!  Just remember not to overstay your visa and you will be fine.

Let me know if this guide helped you out in the comments below and if you want to know what else you should bring with you on your travels, be sure to check out my Guide to the Top Travel Accessories !

About The Author

Hi there,  I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my  About page   and find me on social media.

Hi there, I’m Sebastian , founder and creator of Travel Done Simple. Since I turned 20, I have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to over 40 others! You can learn more about me on my About page   and find me on social media.

Had the same problem. For onward or return flight you should go to aeroflot.com if you choose pay by cash they give you PNR number for free for 24h. Then just go to Photoshop or keyflight.io for create itinerary.

Oh wow thanks for sharing that tip Jason! I just tried out this method for myself and while it does work (in terms of getting you a PNR number), the only issue is that Aeroflot doesn’t always have flights in every part of the world (such as Southeast Asia, for example). Plus, there are no longer any free flight ticket generators on the internet so like you said, either you have to photoshop an existing ticket or pay $5 to use keyflight’s service. It’s a decent option for those that can find an Aeroflot flight out of the country they’re …  Read more »

Thanks so much for this great article!

Your ability to distill complex information into digestible content is remarkable. Thanks for another great post!

Really enjoyed your post! The way you break down the information makes it so accessible and interesting. Thanks for the great read!

I’m Sebastian , the founder and creator of Travel Done Simple! I was born in Europe and raised in Canada, but I now consider myself to be a citizen of the world. When I’m not busy exploring new destinations, I’m here giving you the best travel tips so you can do the same! 

You can learn more about me on my About page and if it’s your first time on my site,  start here !

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How to Provide Proof of Onward Travel: 9 Options

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: February 7, 2024

Categories Travel Tips , Visas and Borders

Home » Travel » Visas and Borders » How to Provide Proof of Onward Travel: 9 Options

Proof of onward travel is becoming a common and annoying travel requirement. An increasing number of countries are requiring that you show a valid ticket out of the country before you’re allowed to enter or even board your flight. This proves that you intend to leave the country and not overstay your tourist visa.

While traveling long term, you sometimes find yourself in situations that make it difficult to provide proof of onward travel. For example, maybe you’re flying on a one-way ticket. Maybe you’re a spontaneous traveler and you don’t know how long you’re going to stay. Maybe you plan to exit the country overland and can’t purchase a ticket online. The proof of onward travel requirement presents an obvious challenge. Luckily, there are some solutions. This guide outline 9 ways to show proof of onward travel.

The fist time I was asked for proof of onward travel was when I was flying from Los Angeles to Cartagena, Colombia on a one way ticket. I had never heard of this requirement. These days, I always make sure I have proof of onward travel when flying on a one-way ticket. I would say about 75% of the time, I end up needing it either when checking in for my flight or when passing through immigration. Usually, I pay to rent a plane ticket for 48 hours. This costs about $12.

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

Proof of onward travel means that you must provide proof that you are leaving the country that you are entering. The government wants to make sure that you are not planning to illegally immigrate. Airlines can also require proof of onward travel.

A booked airline ticket out of the country acts as your proof of onward travel. This ticket can be to a third country or back to your home country. The ticket must show that you are leaving the country before your visa expires. The ticket must be confirmed and paid for.

In most cases, you can also use an international bus, train, or ferry ticket as proof of onward travel. Sometimes these are a bit harder to book online but they are usually accepted by immigration. In some cases, immigration may require an airline ticket.

Any country can require you to show proof of onward travel. It doesn’t matter if the country offers visa-free access, visa on arrival, or if you obtained a visa in advance. Airlines can also require proof of onward travel before they allow you to board.

Generally, proof of onward travel is only required if you are entering on a short-term visa such as a tourist visa. If you are entering on a long-term visa, such as a residency visa, proof of onward travel usually isn’t required.

If you are arriving with your own means of transport such as a car, boat, motorcycle, or bicycle, you are usually exempt from showing proof of onward travel. Your vehicle proves that you have the means to exit the country.

Immigration may also require you to show proof that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself during your trip. You may be asked to show a bank statement with a certain amount of money in the account.

Some countries also require that you show proof of funds in addition to proof of onward travel. In this case, you need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. How much money you need to show depends on the country and the duration of your visa. This is a fairly rare requirement for tourist visas.

Airline Proof of Onward Travel Requirement

Many airlines require that you show proof of onward travel before they will issue you a boarding pass or allow you to board your flight. While checking you in, the agent may ask to see your flight reservation out of the country you’re visiting. If you check in online or at a kiosk, you may be called up by a gate agent to show your proof of onward travel.

Airlines check for proof of onward travel because many countries hold the airline responsible if a traveler shows up without the means to support themselves or leave the country. In other words, countries have passed the responsibility of checking proof of onward travel onto the airlines.

If an airline allows you to fly on a one-way ticket and immigration doesn’t allow you to enter the country when you arrive, the airline may be required to fly you back to your home country at their expense. Some countries also fine airlines for this. Before you are deported, you will likely be given the opportunity to buy a ticket out of the country.

To avoid this situation and reduce liability, airlines often require everyone to show proof of onward travel before boarding. Airlines tend to be very strict about the proof of onward travel requirements. If you can’t provide proof of onward travel, they will require you to buy a return ticket on the spot before they allow you to board. This could be very expensive.

Your proof of onward travel won’t be checked every time you board a flight on a one-way ticket. Because most passengers fly on round-trip tickets, airport staff often forget to check or simply don’t care. If you’ve made it onto your flight without proof of onward travel, it’s unlikely that immigration will ask for it when you arrive. That said, it’s not worth taking the risk. When flying, always be prepared to show proof of onward travel.

Why do I Need Proof of Onward Travel?

The proof of onward travel requirement exists to prevent illegal immigration . The government wants to make sure that you plan to leave the country and not overstay your visa or live and work in the country illegally.

The most common way for people to illegally immigrate to a country is to enter on a tourist visa, student visa, or work visa then never leave. According to this article from NPR, “people who overstayed their visas accounted for 62 percent of the newly undocumented, while 38 percent had crossed a border illegally.” Visa overstays are more common than illegal border crossings.

The proof of onward travel requirement reduces the likelihood of visa overstays. Having a return ticket proves to the government that you plan to leave the country before your visa expires.

Some financially irresponsible travelers also run out of money during their trips. They either spend all of their money or travel on a one-way ticket without the means to return home. These travelers may end up overstaying their visas, begging, working illegally, or committing other various crimes. This creates a number of problems for governments to deal with.

By requiring proof of onward travel, the government can be assured that even if a traveler runs out of money during their trip, they will still be able to leave the country because their return ticket is already paid for.

The purpose of this guide is to make it easier for you to comply with the proof of onward travel rule. If you don’t have the means to pay for a flight out of a country, you shouldn’t enter.

Which Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

Officially, only a handful of countries have immigration laws on the books stating that proof of onward travel is required for entry. These countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Peru, New Zealand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Indonesia, and probably several others.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t be asked when entering other countries. You could be asked to show proof of onward travel when entering any country. In my experience, Southeast Asia countries, Central American countries, and European Union countries tend to be strict about proof of onward travel.

Sometimes these rules are enforced and sometimes they aren’t. At this point, it is best to always be prepared to show proof of onward travel whenever entering a foreign country. Particularly when passing through an airport. You never know when you’re going to be asked.

Most airlines require proof of onward travel these days. Any immigration official could require you to show onward travel plans before allowing you to enter. You don’t want to have to put yourself through the stressful situation of having to book a flight last minute.

Where is Proof of Onward Travel Checked?

There are 3 different places where you may be asked to provide proof of onward travel.

• At the airline check-in desk or gate- When checking in for international flights, the agent may ask to see proof of onward travel before issuing you your boarding pass. If you check in online or at a kiosk, you might be called up to the gate to show your proof of onward travel before you can board.
• At immigration- Before stamping your passport and allowing you to enter the country, an immigration official may ask to see a valid ticket out of the country. This can happen at the at an airport, land border, or sea port. When you enter a country overland, the chance of being asked for proof of onward travel is lower.
• At an embassy or consulate when applying for a visa- Many countries require that you show proof of onward travel before they issue you a visa. You’ll have to attach your flight itinerary as supporting documentation for your visa application. If this is a visa requirement, be sure to accurately list the locations and dates where you will enter and exit the country. Some countries are very strict and will only allow you to enter and exit at the point of entry indicated on the visa that you have been issued. Read the rules carefully.

How to Provide Proof Of Onward Travel: 9 Ways

Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to providing proof of onward travel. Some are legal and some are illegal. Some cost money and some are free. In this section, I’ll describe each method. 

1. Purchase a Refundable Flight Ticket

This is the best and cheapest way to provide proof of onward travel. Simply buy a fully-refundable one-way airline ticket from the country that you’re visiting back to your home country or to a third country then cancel and get a refund when you arrive. This way, you have a legitimate onward travel ticket to show at the airport check-in counter and immigration.

To make this work, you’ll need to buy your second ticket before your flight. Search for a fully-refundable flight from your destination country back to your home country or to another country and book it.

After booing, you’ll receive an email with your ticket confirmation. This email is your proof of onward travel.

After booking the ticket, you have two options.

• Wait until you arrive at your destination country and make it through immigration, then cancel the ticket and collect your refund.
• Print out the ticket after booking, then immediately cancel it.

The first option is safer because you will have a legitimate valid ticket. If the airline or immigration actually checks that you are booked on the flight or asks you if the ticket is valid, it is. You’re not lying to anybody.

With the second option, your ticket is not valid because you already canceled it. All you have is a confirmation email that shows you bought a ticket. In most cases, this is sufficient. Usually, nobody will check or ask if your ticket is still valid.

It’s important to note that it is possible for both immigration and airlines to check the validity of your onward flight ticket if they choose. A database of flights and passengers exists. From my understanding, one airline can check another airline’s bookings if they need to.

In some cases, you have no choice but to cancel the ticket before you arrive. For example, if you only have a 24 hour window to request a refund but you’ll be in transit for 36 hours, you’ll have to cancel your ticket before you arrive and pass through immigration.

If you have to cancel your onward ticket before boarding your flight, try to book it on a different airline than the one you’re flying with. This makes it more difficult for the airline to check the validity of your ticket. If you book on the same airline, they can easily see in their system that you’ve canceled the return ticket. It is unlikely that anyone will notice but this is a good extra precaution to take.

Before buying a ticket, you’ll want to confirm that it is fully refundable. Be sure to read the fine print. Some airlines charge cancellation fees. Some only offer refunds in the form of flight vouchers. They don’t offer cash refunds. You should also make sure that there isn’t a booking fee. You want to make sure that you can get all of your money back. If there is a fee, find another flight to book that doesn’t have a fee.

It’s also important to make sure that the ticket you book is on a flight within your visa validity. For example, if your tourist visa or entry permit is valid for 30 days, the ticket must show that you’re leaving the country before that 30 days is up. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to enter.

Ideally, you should book a ticket that departs around the time you actually intend to leave the country. In some countries, immigration will issue you a visa that is only valid for the number of days that your proof of onward travel indicates that you’re staying. For example, if your proof of onward travel shows that you plan to stay two weeks but you intend to stay for a month, you might only get two weeks on your visa.

As long as the ticket is fully refundable, you don’t have to worry about the price of the ticket. You just need to make sure that you have enough money to cover the cost of the ticket. That said, it’s best to book a cheap flight, just in case you can’t get a refund.

When booking my refundable flight, I always book the cheapest flight I can, just in case I can’t get a refund. For example, if I’m flying into Bangkok, I’ll book my onward ticket to Singapore or Kuala Lampur rather than the United States. A regional flight is much cheaper than an intercontinental flight. If I can’t get a refund for whatever reason, I’ll be out less than a hundred dollars instead of a thousand.

How to Book a Refundable Ticket

There are a number of ways to book a refundable ticket. One option is to use a booking engine such as Expedia or Orbitz. These companies offer free cancelation on many flights if you cancel within 24 hours. Usually, there are no fees involved.

When using these booking sites, use the .com version of the site. The country-specific versions often don’t offer 24 hour refunds. When looking through the list of flights, look for flights with free 24 hour cancelation advertised on the listing.

Some booking engines also have a ‘refundable flights’ check-box on the search page. If you check this box, you’ll only be shown flights with 24 hour or better refund policy. This makes it even easier to search for refundable flights.

You’ll find that most flights come with 24 hour free cancellation. The only exceptions are flights on budget airlines. Budget carriers often do not offer free cancellation, unless they are required to by law. I have found that most budget carriers in Europe and Southeast Asia do not offer free cancelation. Another option is to book a flight to the United States. According to the US Department of Transportation, airlines flying into the US must allow you to cancel your ticket free of charge for 24 hours after booking as long as you make the cancelation at least 7 days ahead of departure. To read more about this rule, check out this guide.

This works well for American travelers. If you’re not from the US, you could be asked to show a US visa.

You can also book a flexible date ticket directly with the airline. Flexible tickets can be changed or canceled. They are usually much more expensive than standard fares. The price doesn’t matter because you’re going to get a full refund anyway.

Before you book a flexible ticket, you’ll want to make sure that it is fully refundable. Some premium airlines offer 24 hour refunds on all of their flights.

Is this legal and Ethical?

Buying a ticket and canceling it is a perfectly legal and free way to provide proof of onward travel. The ticket you have to show the airline and immigration officer is valid and paid for, even though you plan to cancel it. You don’t have to lie to anyone.

Buying and canceling the ticket doesn’t break any rules. It isn’t against the terms of the airline as long as the airline offers free refunds.

This trick has been used to provide proof of onward travel for decades. Before online booking was possible, travel agents used to offer this as a service to their clients who were flying on one-way tickets. You can still pay companies to book and cancel a ticket for you. More on that in the next section.

Drawbacks to booking a refundable ticket

The biggest drawback of this option is the time it will take to get your money back. Some airlines may make you wait several months before issuing a refund. During that time, your money is tied up so you won’t be able to use it for travel.

You will also have to deal with the actual process of asking for a refund. This can be torturous. It depends on which airline you use. On one occasion, I had to wait on hold for two hours to speak to an agent to request a refund. Some airlines make refunds difficult.

Sometimes you can get your money quickly and painlessly. If you cancel immediately after booking and the airline or booking company offers free cancelations, the ticket may never even be charged to your credit card.

Of course, there is also the risk that you don’t get your money back. An airline or booking company could refuse to grant you a refund. Maybe you misread the flight listing and mistakenly booked a non-refundable ticket. In this case, you could be out hundreds of dollars. Airlines and booking companies are not known for their customer service. They can try to rip you off.

To reduce the likelihood of this happening, it’s a good idea to call the airline or booking company before booking a refundable ticket. Confirm with the agent that the ticket is fully refundable.

2. Rent a Ticket to Use for Proof of Onward Travel

A number of services exist that allow you to rent an airline ticket to use for proof of onward travel. For many travelers, this is the fastest, safest, and easiest solution.

These services work by booking a real flight ticket in your name. They then forward you the booking confirmation in an email. This is your proof of onward travel. You can print the email or show it to the airline or immigration agent on your phone. The company then automatically cancels the ticket for you after you’ve made it through immigration. Usually, the ticket is valid for 48 hours. If you need more time, you can also rent a ticket that is valid for up to 14 days.

When you rent a ticket, you’ll only pay a small fee to a company that will provide you with a temporary ticket to use as proof of onward travel. Prices for onward ticket rental range from $12-$20. You don’t have to pay for the whole flight.

Some companies allow you to choose the destination for an additional fee. Some allow you to schedule the ticket in advance. Longer validity tickets are also more expensive.

In order to rent a ticket, you’ll need to supply your name, the return date for your onward ticket, the departing airport, and your email. Optionally, you can also choose to include an arrival airport.

The main benefit of renting a ticket is that you don’t have to worry about actually getting a refund. You also don’t have to deal with reading through cancellation policies to find refundable tickets. You never have to pay upfront for an expensive ticket or wait for a refund. In addition, the only personal information you need to supply is your name. No passport info is required.

Before you rent a ticket, make sure it comes with a Passenger Name Record (PNR) code. This is what the airline and immigration use to verify that your ticket is real. If it doesn’t come with a PNR code, you may have trouble at some airports and border crossings.

A number of companies offer this service. Some are better than others. Some are straight-up scams. Be sure to do your research before renting a ticket.

For example, some companies supply you with a fake ticket to use for proof of onward travel. They never book a real ticket in your name. Instead, they simply fill out a template with your name and the flight details for a real flight. They essentially supply you with a forged document. These companies should be avoided.

Personally, I think renting a ticket is the best way to provide proof of onward travel. It’s what I do. It’s fast and convenient but it does add an extra cost.

The best places to rent a ticket for proof of onward travel:

• Bestonwardticket.com – This company rents tickets that are valid for 48 hours. They charge $12 for a basic ticket. You can add a destination for $4.99 and you can schedule your ticket for a later date for $1. The tickets are real and verifiable. I have used this service many times and have never had an issue.
• Onwardticket.com- They company issues you a verified ticket within 60 seconds. This is a great option if you’re in an airport or immigration and you need last-minute onward travel. You can choose from 48 hour or 14 day validity for your ticket. You can also choose from direct or multi-stop flights. Prices start at $12.
• Onewayfly.com- One Way Fly can issue you a verifiable ticket that is valid for up to 14 days. This is great for applying for visa applications. They also offer proof of accommodation (hotel reservations). This is a common requirement for visa applications. This company also allows you to add multiple passengers, avoid stopovers, or delay the ticket delivery. You do need to schedule this ticket in advance. It can take up to 12 hours to arrive after you place your order.

Before you book an onward ticket, be sure to read some reviews to make sure you’re ordering from a legitimate company. There are several scammy companies that sell fake onward tickets or provide poor service. The above 3 companies are all legitimate and receive excellent reviews. I trust them.

This is the option that I usually use. Even though it costs money, I prefer renting a ticket over booking a refundable ticket. The reason is that I don’t want to worry about not being able to get a refund.

3. Buy a Cheap Ticket and Throw it Away

Book the cheapest ticket you can find, use it for proof of onward travel, then don’t take the flight. In some places, you may be able to find tickets on budget airlines for less than $20. In most cases, you’ll spend $50-$100 on a ticket.

This is a good option if you get caught at an airport check-in counter without proof of onward travel. You can just find Wifi and book the cheapest flight. This is completely legal. Buying an onward ticket proves that you have the means to leave the country.

The cheapest tickets are usually short regional routes operated by budget airlines. Look for a ticket from your destination to a big city in a neighboring country. Tickets between large cities or capital cities tend to be the cheapest. Tickets to major hub cities are often cheap as well.

Be sure to check different dates to find the cheapest option. Sometimes tickets are cheaper if you book 2 weeks or a month in advance. Make sure the date you book is within your visa’s validity.

This method tends to work best in regions with lots of flights such as Europe and Southeast Asia. A few examples of budget airlines include Ryanair, Volaris, AirAsia, EasyJet, and WizzAir.

To help you find cheap flights, use the Google Flights map feature. It can help you quickly search for the cheapest flights in multiple cities in a region. Just input your destination city as the flight origin then change the search to one-way.

The drawback to buying a ticket and not using it is that it can be expensive. Sometimes. In some countries, airfare may be too expensive to just buy a throwaway ticket. This is the case in more off-the-beaten-path countries where flights are less frequent.

After you pass through immigration, consider calling the airline to tell them that you can’t make the flight. Even though the ticket is non-refundable, you may be able to get part of your money back. In some cases, you can get a refund on certain taxes. Some airlines might offer you a partial refund or voucher. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

4. Book a Bus or Train Ticket Out of the Country

Most airlines and immigration authorities will accept an international bus or train ticket as proof of onward travel. You don’t always need an airline ticket. Your bus or train ticket must show that you’re planning to leave the country before your visa expires.

This can be the better option if you’re a budget traveler. You can often buy an international bus ticket for $20-$50. These days, most bus companies sell tickets online. You can simply print the e-ticket or show the confirmation email. You don’t have to use the ticket if you don’t want to.

This is a risky method. Some airlines and immigration officials are picky. They require that you show an airline ticket as proof of onward travel. I believe the reason is that they can’t verify bus or train tickets. They can only verify air tickets on the database.

In my experience, a bus or train ticket is usually accepted for proof of onward travel. It depends on where in the world you’re traveling, the port of entry you’re using, and the mood of the immigration official. If you’re entering the country overland, a bus or train ticket is almost always accepted. At airports, it’s hit or miss.

5. Book a Ticket with Points or Miles then Cancel

If you have accumulated enough rewards points on your travel credit card, you can use the points to book yourself a one-way ticket to use as proof of onward travel. After booking, print the confirmation e-ticket email. After reaching your destination, cancel the ticket and get your points back.

This works well because flights booked with rewards points have better cancelation policies in many cases. FOr most flights, you have 24 hours to cancel. Points are often refunded instantly after you cancel your flight. you don’t have to wait for a refund.

Most banks and credit card companies have their own search engine for booking reward flights. Sometimes, you can use rewards points to book directly with an airline. In this case, you may have to convert your rewards points to the airline’s miles. Sometimes, you can use your points to book through a booking company like Expedia. Some credit card companies also have a concierge service or travel agency that you can call to help you make a fully refundable booking. You can simply call and ask the agent to book you a refundable ticket.

Before booking, you do have to research to make sure that the ticket is refundable. You don’t want to waste your valuable points. Read the terms and conditions carefully. It’s also a good idea to call an agent to confirm that the ticket is refundable.

The main benefit of booking with points is that you don’t have to put up any money for the ticket. You pay with points and receive points back when you request a refund. When you book with points, you usually don’t have to wait for a refund. It’s instantaneous.

6. Ask the Airline If You Can Sign a Waiver

If you find yourself in an airport without proof of onward travel, and the airline check-in agent is not allowing you to board your flight, ask if you can sign a waiver.

The waiver releases the airline of any liability if you are turned away by immigration when you arrive at your destination. In other words, the airline will not be responsible for paying for your return ticket if immigration doesn’t allow you to enter the country. By signing the waiver you are also guaranteeing that you have the financial means to leave the country. You will be responsible for paying for your return ticket if you are not allowed to enter.

This is a legal contract between you and the airline. If you agree to the terms, the check-in agent will print out a waiver for you to sign. Many airlines have these waivers already prepared for this situation.

Not every airline offers this option. Some will simply not allow you to board until you can obtain proof of onward travel. It is worth asking if you can sign a waiver if you’re in a pinch.

Even if you sign a waiver and are allowed on the flight, it does not necessarily mean that you will be allowed to enter the country once you arrive. The waiver is only between you and the airline. Immigration could still deny you entry if you don’t have proof of onward travel. That will be another problem for you to deal with when you arrive.

If the airline won’t allow you to sign a waiver, the next best option is to find an internet connection and either rent a ticket or buy a refundable ticket, as outlined above.

7. Carry Proof of Sufficient Funds

In lieu of showing proof of onward travel, some countries will accept a recent bank statement that shows that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay and purchase a ticket home. Some counties list it as an alternative to proof of onward travel.

The amount of money that have to show will depend on the country you’re visiting and how long you plan to stay. For example, they may require that your account has maintained a balance of at least $5,000 for the previous 3 months. 

While traveling, is a good idea to carry proof of funds if you can. Particularly if you’re a digital nomad. Some countries require it before issuing a visa. This is a common requirement if you’re applying for a long-term visa such as a digital nomad visa.

8. Buy Proof of Onward Travel from a Travel Agent

Some travel agents offer onward travel as a service. They will email you a pre-booked ticket confirmation that you can use as proof of onward travel.

If you book your trip with a travel agent, they may offer this service for free. If not, they will charge for it. This service will probably cost somewhere around $30-$50.

Behind the scenes, the agent simply buys a refundable ticket in your name, sends you the confirmation email, then cancels the ticket for you after you arrive at your destination.

9. Talk Your Way Out of It

Sometimes you can talk your way out of having to provide proof of onward travel. If asked for proof of an onward ticket, you can tell the airline attendant or immigration official that you intend to leave overland or that you simply haven’t bought your return ticket yet. Sometimes they’ll just accept this answer and send you on your way. Sometimes they’ll ask you some follow-up questions or hassle you a bit then allow you to pass.

Whether or not this will work really depends on where you’re traveling, what you look like, how you behave, the mood of the immigration official, and luck. If you’re a smooth talker and look well-off, you might be able to talk your way out of it. If you look like a dirty and broke backpacker, you probably won’t have as much luck.

In my experience, this method usually works at land border crossings. If asked for onward travel, I tell the immigration official that I plan to leave overland by bus. In many cases, they will accept this answer. At airports, this method is hit or miss. Usually, it won’t work.

This is a risky option. The airline could refuse to let you board. An immigration official could refuse you entry or even deport you. If you can’t talk your way out of it, you’ll usually be given the option to buy a return ticket.

Forging a Ticket for Proof of Onward Travel

Some travelers create fake tickets to use as proof of onward travel. To do this, they use photo editing software or a word processor to create a realistic-looking flight confirmation. Some use a real confirmation email and change the flight info for an existing future flight. They edit in their name as well as the airline, flight time, and flight number from a real flight. They simply copy the flight info from an airline or booking site.

Services also exist that sell fake tickets. They have a template and simply enter your information then send you the ticket.

I do not recommend you forge a ticket for proof of onward travel. It is illegal and could get you into big trouble if you’re caught. By showing a fake ticket to an immigration official, you are lying to a government official. You are also breaking immigration law. If you’re caught, you could be denied entry, fined, deported, or even thrown in jail. You could be prohibited from returning to the country.

Showing a fake ticket to an airline employee is also a bad idea. They could refuse to allow you to board, cancel your ticket, and even turn you over to airport police for questioning. Forging a ticket is risky.

Another reason not to forge an onward ticket is because it’s easy for the airline or immigration official to find out that it’s fake. Remember, they can look you up in their flight database. If they see that you aren’t on the flight manifest, they know that the ticket isn’t valid. It won’t have a valid PNR code.

When you use the other methods outlined in this guide, you are not lying to anyone. You are acting within the law. When you use a fake ticket, you are at best lying and at worst committing a crime. There is really no reason to make a fake ticket because there are so many legal and free alternatives.

What Happens If I Show Up Without Proof of Onward Travel?

If you didn’t plan ahead and find yourself in a situation where you’re asked for proof of onward travel and you don’t have it, one of three things will happen. 

• A ticketing agent or immigration official will ask you to buy a ticket- This is the most common scenario. In this case, you’ll have to go to an airline ticketing counter and buy a ticket on the spot. Preferably a refundable ticket. If you have access to the internet, you could go online and buy a ticket.
• You’ll be denied entry- If you don’t have enough money to buy a ticket, the airline may simply not let you on the flight. In this case, you’ll just have to turn around and leave. If you’re at immigration, you could be denied entry. In this case, the airline may be forced to fly you to your home country. You’ll be deported.
• They’ll let you in anyway- In some cases, you may get lucky and they just let you in. Before this happens, you may be questioned and hassled. It really depends on the mood of the airline employee or immigration official. 

To reduce your likelihood of getting asked for proof of onward travel, try to dress nicely and look clean and well-groomed. Business casual clothing works well. Avoid looking like a dirty backpacker or a hippy. This draws negative attention.

Why Travelers Dislike These Rules

Backpackers, long-term travelers, those traveling to multiple countries, and digital nomads often experience issues with proving proof of onward travel. A few common situations where you may need to provide proof of onward travel include:

• Flying on a one way ticket- This is the most common scenario. Many long-term travelers like to buy one way tickets to keep their itinerary open or to save money. When you fly on a one way ticket, you’ll often need to show proof of onward travel.
• Applying for visas- Many countries require you to submit an onward or return flight ticket with your visa application. This can present a challenge if you plan to enter and exit overland or if you don’t know your exact travel dates. Maybe you want to get the visa before you buy your tickets. You will need to show proof of onward travel to get the visa.
• Entering by air and exiting overland- Maybe you plan to fly into a country and exit by bus, train, ferry, or on foot. In some cases, you can’t buy your ticket out of the country online in advance. For example, maybe you’re planning to travel to a border by public transport then cross on foot. You can’t buy a public transport ticket weeks in advance. You may still need to show proof of onward travel upon entry.
• Keeping your itinerary open- If you’re a spontaneous traveler, sometimes you don’t know how long you’ll want to stay in a particular country. Maybe you’ll want to stay 1 month or maybe you’ll want to stay 3 months. Sometimes you don’t know which country you want to visit next. Maybe you’re going to Thailand and you’re not sure if you want to travel to Cambodia or Malasyia next. You still need to show proof of onward travel.

My Experience with Proof of Onward Travel

When I travel, I usually fly into a country on a one-way ticket then travel overland to surrounding countries by bus or train. I usually fly home or to my next destination from a different country than I flew into.

When flying on a one-way ticket, I always make sure to have proof of onward travel because I never know when I’ll need it. I would estimate that I’m asked for proof of onward travel on about half of the one-way flights I take.

When crossing borders overland, I usually do not carry proof of onward travel. I have only been asked for it once when traveling from St. Petersburgh to Helsinki by ferry. Luckily, I had already booked an onward ticket out of Europe that the immigration agent accepted. I do not believe he would have let me through without an onward ticket. He was friendly but strict.

I have also had to provide proof of onward travel on a couple of occasions when applying for visas. Once when applying for a visa for India and once for a visa for Thailand. In both cases, I booked my return flight because I knew when I was leaving.

In the past, I have made fake tickets. I do not recommend trying this. It’s too risky and it’s against the law. These days, I always rent a ticket. Even though it costs money, I find it to be the fastest, easiest, and most reliable option. Having a real ticket gives me peace of mind. I won’t be denied entry.

Final Thoughts

The proof of onward travel requirement is a hassle for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers. You may need to show onward travel when flying on one-way or applying for visas. It is an essential travel document. Just like your passport. Luckily, there are some loopholes that you can use to get around this requirement.

The best method for providing proof of onward travel really depends on where in the world you are traveling, how long you plan to stay in the country you’re entering, and your budget. If you have room in your budget, I recommend renting a ticket. If you’re on a tight budget, consider booking a refundable ticket then canceling.

Some may argue that using these tricks is skirting the rules. This is not the case. All of the methods outlined in this guide are legitimate and legal. Travel agents have been using these tricks for ages.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to sort out your onward travel before heading to the airport. You don’t want to end up arguing with a check-in agent or immigration official and being forced to book an expensive ticket home on the spot. Hopefully, this guide makes your trip go a bit smoother.

How do you provide proof of onward travel? Share your experience in the comments below!

More from Where The Road Forks

• How to Take Your Own Passport Photo for Free
• How to Make an Accurate Budget for Long Term Travel
• 35 Types of Tourism
• How to Plan a Round the World Trip
• Carry-On Vs Checked Luggage: Pros and Cons

Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Great article!

One thing to bear in mind is that when flying into the US having an onward ticket to Canada or Mexico (ie, a contiguous country) doesn't work for them, even if those countries are your actual genuine destination.

wheretheroadforks

Saturday 5th of August 2023

Good tip! I didn't know that. I've never had to deal with that because I'm a U.S. citizen.

Saturday 1st of July 2023

I will travel to US from Canada. Do you have experience with US immigration and onward tickets? It looks like if you check, the booking appears as pending full payment.

I've never had to deal with onward tickets in the US because I'm a citizen. I imagine they will ask for onward travel. I recommend you have it just in case.

Jason Taylor

Saturday 14th of November 2020

I bought a ticket from onewayfly website. Got ticket within 12 hours as they said. I checked the booking reference number on the main airline website, it was ok. Therefore, I don’t think the site is a scam.

Yosef Gabriel

Wednesday 11th of November 2020

Thank you so much for information for travel . I just use onward ticket visa for proof of onward travel . It cheaper . Hope this useful for you .

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Driver on time with no rush very…

Driver on time with no rush very helpful return journey early morning same driver same service Cost very competitive Will use again

Date of experience : 04 June 2024

Family holiday drop off and pick up at…

Family holiday drop off and pick up at Glasgow lovely driver same for both journeys. Our plane was delayed in our return and he picked us up as soon as we arrived at the taxi rank

Date of experience : 02 June 2024

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. We paid for meet and greet to be transferred between airports and the driver failed to appear. We checked inside and outside the Airport and finally had to take and pay for a taxi in the rank outside Stansted Aiport in order not to miss our Gatwick flight. They are now refusing to refund the £125 we paid them on 16 April prior to travelling on 3 June. . It’s very disappointing and disgusting that this company feel that they can treat pensioners this way. The taxi driver did send a message saying Are you Okay ? Which was only received after we got a signal and were on our way to Gatwick. My daughter did call to ask where the driver was and was told someone would call her back AND AS NO ONE DID we had to take a taxi from the taxi rank otherwise we would have missed our flight from Gatwick. This company said that as we left the airport without contacting them (which is a lie as we did contact them) they are refusing to refund our money. We have NO IDEA where the driver was as he certainly wasn’t inside the terminal to meet and greet which is what we had for. I have now logged a dispute claim with my bank. This company should not take payment for meet and greet if they are unable to provide this service.

Date of experience : 03 June 2024

OTS - Glasgow to Irvine (Ayrshire)

Our flight back from Kos was delayed by over an hour and a half. However, our driver remained in contact with us once we had landed until we were at the scheduled pick-up point. This was almost two and a half hours after the expected time once you take the time at passport control into consideration. Driver was extremely pleasant on our journey home and we couldn't fault the standard of car which was above expectations. Used the shortest route and the cost was far cheaper than the standard airport taxis. Will use this platform again as the process was straightforward and the driver was courteous at all times which was welcome after our stressful return flight.

Date of experience : 19 May 2024

Do not use this company

Do not use this company! They advertise that their saloon car will take 3 x 23kg suitcases, however these have to be very very small!, they may/will refuse to take a usual large size case and if they do they will charge more money. Or leave you without transport! Our driver admitted they should speculate size and not weight. Obviously this is done deliberately! Don’t let this company ruin your holiday! Go elsewhere!

Date of experience : 17 May 2024

Book this firm if you want a cheap, unreliable, and non caring service!

I’ve used this company 4 times. The 1st time was excellent. The 2nd time the driver was so tired that he was dangerous on the roads, and I had to report that. The 3rd time was an adequate service (but their Meet and Greet facility generally is not working well enough). The last time I used the service it was utterly atrocious. I pre booked (and paid) for an 11.30pm pick up at Gatwick airport. A delayed flight meant the plane landed at 1.15 am. I tried to contact the driver by text and by phone before I entered the Arrivals Hall. No response. There was no one waiting for me and no contact from anyone. As a solo female traveller (71 years old) I was left stranded in the middle of the night at the airport. I phoned the main number, and the operator also couldn't contact the driver. Her only solution was that an Uber was arranged. The next morning I phoned to discuss the situation. The young man I spoke to had no knowledge of the event, and very clearly didn't think it was in any way his responsibility to discuss it. There was no concern or apology at all - far from it. I was shocked by how rude he was. I'd asked to speak to the manager, but was told he was working and unable to talk with me! The young man refused to talk further. My formal complaint resulted in a £15 (20%) rebate, confirmation that training would be given, and that an internal investigation as to why the driver was absent was to be carried out (the outcome of which I would not be privy to!). A one line apology that “I was kept waiting” did not in any way address my issues. The main importance of taxi firms is that they be trustworthy and reliable. OTS fail so very badly on both. And they don’t appear to care!

Date of experience : 12 May 2024

Excellent and stress free

Onward Travel provided an excellent and stress-free service for our Midlands to Heathrow return trips in January. On time, friendly and courteous drivers in a clean comfortable car. Arrived at each end feeling totally relaxed. Highly recommended.

Date of experience : 17 January 2024

Don't trust this company

Don't trust this company. Really awful, took money from card unauthorised by me. Delayed me at the airport by over an hour. Cheaper to use a normal taxi company. Check out other reviews on other sites they more say the same as me. In addition, the taxi driver dropped a fair hint about rip, idiot not a f______g chance!

Excellent driver and service

Chris collected us from Peterborough station and took us into Central Cambridge. Great driver and excellent service. Text as we were en route to confirm time and location, cold drinks offered as we got into the car, quick and safe delivery to where we needed to be. Thank you.

Date of experience : 16 April 2024

Really good service from start to…

Really good service from start to finish. Have used this company several times now for trips to and from Heathrow and they are excellent.

Date of experience : 04 May 2024

Not an ideal platform for taxis

I used to prefer this taxis booking platform, prior to my previous experience after that incident I wouldn’t suggest or advice others to use this service. I booked an escort and they provided the service of compact suv and complaining to the platform that space is not enough for 3 bigger bag and 3 cabin baggage. Even many have shared this incident with me using this platform. My trip was from Heathrow Airport Terminal to SO167DN

Date of experience : 23 January 2024

Great Service

Great Service as I have been using this service during 2023 and 2024 for both outbound and return for LHR Airport. Drivers are very friendly and prompt on time.

Date of experience : 26 April 2024

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE

My niece booked this company and paid upfront for them to take 6 people plus cases and hand luggage, plus two prams (one normal size and one large due too one of her children having severe medical conditions) to Heathrow airport form Wirral. As it was, only 5 people, cases and hand luggage (plus prams) needed the taxi but the driver refused to take the car seat. 30 to 40 mins into the journey she was told she needed to pay more money, speeding and using his mobile phone whilst driving made for a very uncomfortable drive as she was travelling with her 4 children. When they finally arrived at the airport hotel she was then sent text messages around 5am still asking for money, she was so frightened she went to reception and they gave her help and reassurance. I have never left a review before but felt I needed to leave this.

Date of experience : 01 May 2024

I’ve now used OTS for a few years for…

I’ve now used OTS for a few years for my airport drop offs and pick ups at Edinburgh airport. I recently had a delay in my flight home and had to change the booking. The online chat customer service was quick and efficient, they put the booking on hold for 365 days until I received my new flight details. I then rebooked a driver the next day and all the confirmations came through very soon after. I would highly recommend this company.

Date of experience : 04 March 2024

Good value, easy to book and reliable. I have used this company several times and would use them again. Docking one star because one of my drivers made derogatory remarks about LGBTQ+ community which I felt I had to respond to (I am not LGBTQ+ myself so perhaps he felt it was ok to say something). We had a very uncomfortable conversation.

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

My booking specifically requested an…

My booking specifically requested an estate car, your driver who was very good by the way, arrived with a Toyota hatchback which as we were 3 passengers with 3 large suitcases and 3 cabin bags was not big enough.It meant that half the rear seat had to be folded down to allow all the cases to fit in, this resulted in the 2 passengers in the rear having very little seating space.I did not think that was very satisfactory at all,my past experiences with your services have all been great, but not on this occasion which was a shame.

Date of experience : 11 April 2024

Do not use they're unscrupulous and overchargning

I booked the taxi for a specific time, leaving plenty of time (over an hour) between my flight landing and the pick up time as I knew I had a lot to do in terms of luggage and customs. Unknown to me, as they had my flight details, they changed my pick up time to the flight arrival time. They emailed me this change and told me that if I expected to be over an hour from landing that I should email them to change the pick up time. I missed this email, don't believe I read it, and thus didn't make any changes thinking I had plenty of time to get through customs and to the pick up before the agreed time. As they had changed the pick up time, I was duly late, blamed for missing the email and charged extra for the delay. I'd had a decent enough experience until then, but since this is the first journey I've personally used, I won't be using them again.

Flexibility in changing booking

I made a booking for a mini bus about 3 months in advance. Our travel plans changed and the size of party decreased thus I needed a small car. I emailed them and they literally responded within 5 minutes. They agreed to downsize my car and give me a refund. I SO appreciate the timeliness of their help and their willingness to change my booking. I will leave another review when I actually use the transportation pickup in a few months!

Date of experience : 01 February 2024

Chris our driver was really great

Chris our driver was really great. He contacted us before we landed and stayed in contact. Greeted us with a sign and was so helpful with our luggage. We were traveling with kids (including a baby) and he was really accommodating and kind. Thanks Chris! The booking process was thorough and secure. Good communication leading up to the flight and reassuring to have onward travel sorted after a very long journey with young children.

Date of experience : 12 September 2023

GREAT SERVICE

I have used OTS on a number of occasions and the service has been very good. The reason I am writing this review is due to the outstanding service from OTS due to a very late change in my daughters flight from Dubai. Without any ridiculous administration fees or endless phone calls, the pick-up was merely postponed until a firm arrival time into MAN could be established, which was the very next day......GREAT SERVICE....

Date of experience : 19 December 2023

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Information for U.S. Citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza

The Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness as security incidents often take place without warning. The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events. Please see the latest Israel Security Alert .

U.S. citizens should heed the  Travel Advisory  for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The U.S. Embassy continues to closely monitor the dynamic security situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. There are active military operations and active rocket and mortar fire in Gaza and the Gaza periphery.  Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza without warning. If you require emergency assistance while in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, contact the  U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem  by email ( [email protected] for those in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza or [email protected] for those in Israel outside of Jerusaleml).

Individuals seeking to depart Gaza: As of May 7, the Israel Defense Forces control the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing. Since that day, the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza has remained closed. As soon as the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem receives information regarding new exit procedures from Gaza to Egypt, including when crossings resume, we will communicate this to the public immediately.

This remains a complex situation with serious implications for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens in Gaza in need of assistance should contact [email protected] . U.S. citizens in Gaza are reminded that the U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there.

The U.S. government does not control who is permitted to depart Gaza or enter Egypt. Individuals must assess their own safety and risks in attempting to cross the border. Individuals permitted to enter Egypt will likely receive a 72-hour Egyptian visa; all those who cross should have a plan for onward travel from Egypt in this timeframe. U.S. citizens, LPRs and their immediate family members who successfully enter Egypt and require further consular assistance should contact the  U.S. Embassy in Cairo  via the  U.S. Citizens Services Navigator .  Individuals may apply for a U.S. visa at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate; U.S. immigration laws and regulations will apply.

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Onward ticket, best onward ticket, dummyticket247.

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I’ve been emailing this morning as the…

I’ve been emailing this morning as the ticket issued it not working with the airlines website as promised on the email. I’ve emailed twice and had no reply

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

38 dollars wasted

I bought a ticket and the date was wrong!!! I bought a ticket. When I recieved the ticket I found out that the date was wrong (starting a few days earlier). The ticket was not usable because it was to apply for a schengen visa. Stupid me I thought I was the issue and submitted the wrong dates myself. So I purchased the ticket again through another web browser and another email and guess what, the same thing happened again. 38 dollas wasted on this!!!!

Date of experience : October 24, 2022

Reply from getonwardticket.com

Hi Jeroen, why didn't you contact us to fix this problem? We don't see any mail from you. We have an entire team dedicated to customer satisfaction but we need you to contact us to fix it..

A legitimate company and would use…

A legitimate company and would use again when needed. We ordered flights for last-minute use, but it didn't come on time due to their office being closed. They refunded our money instantly. Tip: if you need your ticket urgently and they cannot meet your deadline because their office is closed, send them an email before issuing the ticket for a refund. Happy with the service despite having to change our plans.

Date of experience : February 04, 2023

I had a last minute request

I had a last minute request, on a Saturday night, to get a return from Colombia, for a 7am Sunday flight. Reed got my ticket handled in 10 minutes, and when I had an issue with the carrier, he rebooked me immediately with no extra charge. I went to the airport, showed them my return ticket, and now I am in Colombia. If I had to do this myself, I would have had to buy the ticket, land in Colombia then cancel the ticket and wait for a refund on my debit card for money I need here. This is an amazing service with great after-hours customer service, thanks Reed!

Date of experience : September 02, 2023

Thank you so much for your honest and heartwarming review Stephen! We try our best to over-deliver.

Prompt, excellent customer service

To be honest, I had a bit of an issue when trying to book my ticket with them. This was mostly due to me doing it at the very last minute in the middle of the night. However, as soon as customer service woke up the next morning, they handled my issue promptly, and even went above and beyond what I was expecting. Fantastic customer service.

Date of experience : July 06, 2023

Booking not valid after 2 hours - Fixed immediately, Great costumer service.

I made a booking reservation for a flight 2 hours ago because I have a visa appointment and I see the reservation is not available anymore at the airline website! It is promised that the reservation is valid for 2 days minimum and it lasted less than 2 hours! Seeing the reviews I thought I might give a chance I book through here but this is not fair! I want to get this fixed before my appointment or get a refund! UPDATE 19/10/2023: Right after writing this review, I sent an email to their costumer support explaining my complain about the validity of the first ticket. I got an answer from their costumer support agent, Reed, the next day early in the morning with a new ticket with 2-day validity guaranteed, a refund for the first ticket that i will get in a few days back in my account, and I got offered the next booking for free. I can say I was very satisfied with the way they treat their costumers when there is a problem with the booking. Till today, the second ticket sent is still valid, I could show it during my visa interview and got approved. I will continue to use their services in the future!

Date of experience : October 17, 2023

Legit company with great service.

Legit company with great service. At first they gave me a ticket that did not show up on the airline website. I emailed about it, and very quickly I got a new ticket that did work. Passed through migration easily.

Date of experience : December 01, 2023

Issues fake dummy ticket

Issues fake dummy ticket. PNR cannot be verified on the airline's website. Customer support number does not exist

Date of experience : September 01, 2023

Hello Somrita, Thank you for your feedback. We understand your concerns and would like to clarify our process. Our bookings are verified, but occasionally, some airlines restrict online verification for customers. To address this, we offer email support to deliver a new, manually verified booking when needed. We noted your refund request and promptly processed it. We regret that this experience led to your 1-star review and the impression of a "fake dummy ticket." Our goal is always to provide reliable and transparent service. We would appreciate the opportunity to rectify this situation and regain your trust. Best, Reed - GetOnwardTicket team.

Excellent service

Excellent service! I was looking for an itinerary for my student visa application, they helped me find the best option and I had my itinerary in less than an hour ! And it’s valid for more than 21 days ! They were great !

Date of experience : August 22, 2022

100% Legit & reliable rent-a-ticket…

100% Legit & reliable rent-a-ticket website. Can easily search up the confirmation # with the airline booked though to view the flight. I presented my return flight at customs when entering the country and it worked flawlessly. Highly recommend.

Date of experience : January 06, 2023

I had a fantastic experience with…

I had a fantastic experience with getonwardticket.com. The process of purchasing a reserve ticket was incredibly fast and easy. Their website was user-friendly and intuitive, allowing me to quickly select and secure my ticket without any hassle. Moreover, I was thoroughly impressed with their customer service. They were prompt, attentive, and went above and beyond to address my inquiries and ensure a smooth transaction. Overall, I highly recommend getonwardticket.com for their efficiency and excellent customer support.

Date of experience : October 15, 2023

Best onward ticket service around

Great service. Even better customer service. Made an order with them. Requested a change and they did it in no time. Will definitely keep coming back

Date of experience : September 28, 2022

Refreshing to find such great service…

Refreshing to find such great service out there still. Quick and sufficient and accommodating. If only companies in South Africa could still deliver this great service.

Date of experience : December 12, 2022

Very helpful

Really great response time and excellent service received, thank you and keep it up!

Date of experience : January 21, 2024

Exactly what I needed too make my life…

Exactly what I needed too make my life a lot easier acquiring my passport I’ve been waiting months for. Thank you guys! I will recommend and use again for sure!

Date of experience : February 13, 2023

Very Fast Delivery! Highly Recommend!

I was at the airport and needed to prove onward travel out of Vietnam. I booked a ticket with getonwardtravel (for $12) and had a PDF emailed to me in less than 10 minutes! It worked like a charm and off I went. I will definitely utilize their service in the future! A+

Date of experience : December 08, 2022

Money Wasting and Unreliable Service

A Disappointing Experience with GetOnwardTicket.com I recently used GetOnwardTicket.com for obtaining an onward flight ticket for visa purposes, and my encounter with their service was deeply unsatisfactory. After making the payment, I received a confirmation email promising delivery of the ticket within 24 hours. However, I was only provided with a two-hour booking, which was of no use for my travel needs. I promptly contacted their customer support, expressing my dissatisfaction and requesting either the correct ticket or a refund. To my disappointment, GetOnwardTicket.com displayed a lack of responsiveness and failed to address my concerns in a timely manner. Despite my repeated attempts to contact them, including a refund request, they remained unresponsive. I strongly caution against using GetOnwardTicket.com for any travel-related services due to their unreliable nature and poor customer support. It appears that they make enticing promises but do not deliver on their commitments. Additionally, the lack of effective communication and disregard for customer satisfaction is deeply concerning. Update: I am pleased to share that GetOnwardTicket.com has issued a refund for my booking after a month. While this resolution does help alleviate some of my concerns, I still believe it is important to highlight the challenges I faced during the process.

Date of experience : June 27, 2023

Hello Burak, Really sorry about the mix-up with your ticket and the slow response. We're working on making things faster and more reliable. Glad to hear you got your refund, and we appreciate your honesty. It helps us get better. Best, Reed - GetOnwardTicket team.

I got the ticket in 5 minutes

I got the ticket in 5 minutes with a verifiable PNR code, it is a legit server... Definitely, I will use their service again.

Date of experience : August 28, 2022

Ticket did not arrive for a long time

Ticket did not arrive for a long time. Useless for my needs. No refund offered, even though it could not be used.

Date of experience : June 12, 2023

Hi David, We've just become aware of the delay and inconvenience you experienced with your booking from June 11. I want to offer my personal apologies; we had a migration in our email system around the time you reached out, and your message was, regrettably, overlooked. I understand how frustrating this must have been, especially considering the time-sensitive nature of onward tickets. To make it right, we've gone ahead and issued a full refund to you today, October 16. We're committed to improving our system and processes to ensure that such an issue doesn't happen in the future. Thank you for your patience, and we're deeply sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you. Warm regards, Reed.

Fast and reliable service

Great service! Very thankful for the fast and accurate assistance, even via email. Special thanks to Reed for his kind help!

Date of experience : November 06, 2022

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How Elon Musk reacted to Modi's election victory: 'Looking forward to...'

Musk is now expected to travel to India later this year

Tech mogul Elon Musk has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election win as the latter is set to return as PM for a third consecutive term.

Musk said he is looking forward to his companies doing "exciting work" in India. “Congratulations @narendramodi on your victory in the world's largest democratic elections! Looking forward to my companies doing exciting work in India,” Musk posted on X on Friday. The post come as Modi is set to be sworn in on June 9. Musk had earlier postponed his planned April 21-22 visit to India over "very heavy Tesla obligations".

He is now expected to travel to the country later this year as his electric car-maker is mulling an entry into the Indian EV market. Following Musk's meeting with Modi in the US in June 2023, there were talks that Musk would look at setting up a Tesla manufacturing unit in India with an investment worth billions of dollars.

After Musk sought import duty reduction for Tesla in India, the government had announced a new electric vehicle policy, under which import duty concessions will be given to companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of $500 million.

He is also looking to establish an Indian presence for his satellite internet venture Starlink, which is awaiting regulatory nods.

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Fact Sheet: Presidential Proclamation to Suspend and Limit Entry and Joint DHS-DOJ Interim Final Rule to Restrict Asylum During High Encounters at the Southern Border

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration took decisive new action to strengthen border security, announcing a series of measures that restrict asylum eligibility, and significantly increase the consequences for those who enter without authorization across the southern border. These extraordinary steps, which will be in effect during times when high levels of encounters exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, will make noncitizens who enter across the southern border ineligible for asylum with certain exceptions, raise the standard that is used to screen for certain protection claims, and speed up our ability to quickly remove those who do not qualify for protection.

These actions follow a series of steps that the Administration has taken over the past three years as it prepared for the end of the Title 42 public health Order, and since it was lifted last year, including surging personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the border, issuing the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule, and referring record numbers of noncitizens into expedited removal. Over the past year, we have removed or returned more than three quarters of a million people, more than in any fiscal year since 2010. Despite these efforts, our outdated and broken immigration and asylum system, coupled with a lack of sufficient funding, make it impossible to quickly impose consequences on all noncitizens who cross irregularly and without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

The Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to provide the resources and legal authorities needed to secure our border. The measures announced today will better enable the Department to quickly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, strengthening enforcement and change the calculus for those considering crossing our border irregularly. However, they are no substitute for Congressional action. We continue to call on Congress to provide the new tools and resources we have asked for to support the men and women on the frontlines.

President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of noncitizens across the southern border. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General also jointly issued an interim final rule that, consistent with the Proclamation, generally restricts asylum eligibility for those who irregularly enter across the southern border – including the Southwest land and the southern coastal borders. The rule also limits fear screenings to those who manifest a fear or express a desire to file for protection and heightens the screening standard for statutory withholding and claims under the Convention Against Torture. Taken together, these measures will significantly increase the speed and scope of consequences for those who cross our borders irregularly or who attempt to present themselves at Ports of Entry without authorization, allowing the Departments to more quickly remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. The restriction on asylum eligibility will be discontinued when encounters fall below certain levels but will come back into effect if encounters rise again.

The rule makes three key changes to current processing under Title 8 immigration authorities during periods of high border encounters:

• First, noncitizens who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances and unless they are excepted by the Proclamation.
• Second, noncitizens who cross the southern border and are processed for expedited removal while the limitation is in effect will only be referred for a credible fear screening with an Asylum Officer if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, a fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum.  
• Third, the U.S. will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments by screening individuals who manifest a fear as noted above and do not qualify for an exception to the Rule for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protections at a reasonable probability of persecution or torture standard – a new, substantially higher standard than is currently applied under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule.  

Like the Proclamation, the rule provides for an end to these enhanced measures following a sustained reduction in southern border encounters. Specifically, these measures are in effect until 14 calendar days after there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters between the ports of entry. The measures would again go into effect, or continue, as appropriate, when there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters or more.

During periods of high encounters, the Proclamation will apply across the southern border. Lawful permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States are excepted from the Proclamation.

In addition, the suspension and limitation on entry and rule will not apply to noncitizens who use a Secretary-approved process—such as the CBP One mobile app—to enter the United States at a port of entry in a safe and orderly manner or pursue another lawful pathway.

Noncitizens who cross the southern border and who are not excepted from the Proclamation will be ineligible for asylum unless exceptionally compelling circumstances exist, including if the noncitizen demonstrates that they or a member of their family with whom they are traveling:

• faced an acute medical emergency;
• faced an imminent and extreme threat to life or safety, such as an imminent threat of rape, kidnapping, torture, or murder; or
• satisfied the definition of “victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons” currently provided in 8 CFR 214.11.

Consequences

Noncitizens who are subject to the rule’s limitation on asylum eligibility and who manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, express a fear of persecution or torture or an intention to apply for asylum, but do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal will be promptly removed.

Those ordered removed will be subject to at least a five-year bar to reentry and potential criminal prosecution.

The Proclamation and rule will significantly enhance the security of our border by increasing the Departments’ ability to impose swift consequences for individuals who cross the southern border irregularly and do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  Together, the Proclamation and rule make critical changes to how the Departments operate during times when encounters are at historically high levels—levels that, in the absence of these changes, undermine the government’s ability to process individuals through the expedited removal process. These changes will enable the Departments to quickly return those without a lawful basis to stay in the United States and thereby free up the asylum system for those with legitimate claims.

These extraordinary measures are a stop gap. Even with these measures in place, the Departments continue to lack the authorities and resources needed to adequately support the men and women on the frontlines. The Administration again calls on Congress to take up and pass the bipartisan reforms proposed in the Senate, which provide the new authorities, personnel, and resources that are needed to address the historic global migration that is impacting countries throughout the world, including our own. Until Congress does its part, we will continue to take any actions needed under current law and within existing resources to secure the border.

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