Entering USA on a one way ticket
 

Hello, we are two Australians planning on buying bikes in the USA to ride down to South America. We have no idea when out trip will finish or where it will finish, therefore we want to enter on a one way ticket, is this possible using the ESTA visa waiver?

At one time I may have said not a problem. Now, well the USA may be getting more of the letter of the law less understanding the law. Here this happen yesterday in Washington state.
Foreign backpacker arrested for staying in U.S. half hour too long | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News

The rules say no, you need an exit ticket. But rules are often bent or broken on the ground.

In practical terms your answer depends on two impossible-to-predict factors: first, will the airline let you board your flight in the first place, knowing that they might be required to return you home if you're refused entry? Many airlines won't take the chance, which means you might not be allowed to experience the second factor: what will the specific immigration official do? They're inconsistent, almost mercurial. One might admit you with a smile, while the guy in the next booth will have you, interrogated, strip-searched, and sent home.

Round trip tickets are often cheaper anyway, even if you throw away the un-used portion. That means your question might never need an answer. Or you can just purchase a full-fare, fully-refundable ticket out of the country--to Guatemala or Costa Rica, say. Cash it in as soon as you arrive in the USA…but don't over-stay your 90 ESTA days, and read the fine print about what that really means. It's easy to spend longer than three months touring the USA, and easy to forget that departing for Canada or Mexico doesn't stop the clock on your 90 days.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Airline tickets are electronic nowadays.

I'm not advocating anything,.....

..... but, it would be very easy to edit a oneway ticket and make it look like a return.

I flew from Brisbane to LA in Feb 2014 on a one-way ticket. My bike was on a different flight. No problem booking or buying the ticket. When I arrived the customs officer was so fixated on telling me how dangerous it was going to be to travel to Mexico by bike that no other questions came up.

Just tell them the truth about what you're doing, how long you will be in the US and it won't be a problem.

PS I've been in Mexico for 4 mths and love it. Don't rush through Mexico!!

PN

Thanks for the advice, we have decided to book into the B2 visa to take away any risks. So once that is sorted we will book our flights.
Paulnomad, i'd love any tips you can give us on places/routes to take in Mexico or anything to organise in advance.

Mexico. Don't rush it. I'm still here four months later and it still keeps surprising me with the friendly generous people, the stunning landscapes, the awesome mountain roads and the great food. If you can travel through without taking any 'Cuota' roads you will see the real Mexico.

Some of my tips would be
Copper Canyon
Durango to Mazatlan libre road - the Devil's Backbone
The Pacific Coast south of Puerta Vallarta
Puebla & southern Veracruz
Oaxaca
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Palenque
The whole Caribbean coast

PN

Seems like you've already got it sorted, but could you fly to USA and have a ticket out going to Mexico? Must be some super cheap ones from the southern states, possibly ones you could later get refunded?

I'm thinking about doing something similar next year. Interested to see how you go mate

So in the end we decided on the B2 visa. Worked out to be $160(aus) Although entry would have been pretty likely on the esta visa waiver it does say that without a return or ongoing ticket that entry would be denied. so paying the extra $160 dollars, although not ideal, has purchased us peace of mind.

The b2 visa took about 5 days to wait for an appointment and then about 2 hours waiting/interview at the embassy. and 4 days to arrive with the visa inside. It is valid for 5 years, multiple entry.

The esta visa waiver states that you must have an ongoing ticket but that Mexico and Canada don't count as ongoing. We decided to pay the $160 rather than pay for a flight and hope for the refund.

I entered the USA on a one way ticket.

I got stopped at immigration and taken through to interrogation

They asked what I was coming here for blah blah ...

Turned out it was only a booking I had in Mexico, and correspondence for shipping my vehicle from Panama-Colombia which got me in!

Rather strangely, my gf who was travelling with me just got let through ..

We also got all our baggage inspected.

Left the airport after 4 hours.

All the immigration folks were nice enough, but dont expect to get out quickly.

We also have a 10 year tourist visa to the USA..

I came in to the USA on a five year visa, shipped my bike and only one way ticket. No questions, no problems.

One way?
 

Surely the issue is wether the airline will allow you to board at point of origin with a one way. I have had major hassles flying from Auckland to Beunos Aries on a one way in the past.

Return tickets are often cheaper or the same price as a single...

That's always been the case for me.

I just get a return as even if I don't use it, I'm no worse off and I have a way home if need be.

:welcome:I have 10 year visa and no problems to fly to US with one way ticket.