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North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
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  #1  
Old 5 Feb 2018
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One-way ticket for USA travel possible?

Hello,
I'm planning to ride the Americas this year with my motorcycle..
First country will be the USA, the second may be Canada, third Mexico and so on....
The question is: Is it possible to fly to the USA just with a one-way ticket (no return ticket). Or do I have to show a return at the immigration desk?
If it is possible to do so, what are the requirements? Do I need kind of confirmation that I'll leave the USA after 90 days?.

Thank you for your help
Martin
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  #2  
Old 5 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mks916 View Post
Hello,
I'm planning to ride the Americas this year with my motorcycle..
First country will be the USA, the second may be Canada, third Mexico and so on....
The question is: Is it possible to fly to the USA just with a one-way ticket (no return ticket). Or do I have to show a return at the immigration desk?
If it is possible to do so, what are the requirements? Do I need kind of confirmation that I'll leave the USA after 90 days?.

Thank you for your help
Martin
Hi Martin

I will start my trip in 24 days and plan to return from Ontario end of October. I have applied for a tourist visum and I never received the question for a return ticket during the interview at the embassy so I don't expect this question when I arrive. I think it is important to show you are planning to leave.

Kr

David

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  #3  
Old 5 Feb 2018
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First hurdle will be getting a boarding pass because unless you have a B1/B2 visa or something equivalent, they will not let you on the plane unless you are a very fast talker. The airlines know they will be out of pocket if you get denied entry on landing so they have a vested interest in making sure it doesn't happen

If you intend going flying in under the 90 day visa waiver system and driving out at a land border, they do have a system to allow that but it supposedly requires setting up before you arrive.

If you are taking your bike in to the US then the paperwork might be accepted as proof of onwards travel. We left a vehicle in South America for several months a couple of times and we were stopped from boarding at the last point in the EU until I showed the checkin clerk the TVIP and vehicle registration papers

The other thing you will need to do is to check on how the US visa stay clock works because they usually count short visits into Canada and Mexico as adding to the time allowed in the US so if you land in the US and spend 80 days there and then cross into Canada for 20 days you run a real risk of not being allowed into Alaska or mainland US. If you spent say 70 days in Canada that might be viewed differently.
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  #4  
Old 6 Feb 2018
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Look at ticket prices first you might find a return is no more expensive than one way, book it for about a month after your arrival and do not mention plans to travel further south just that you have a return ticket for whatever date.
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  #5  
Old 6 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony LEE View Post
First hurdle will be getting a boarding pass because unless you have a B1/B2 visa or something equivalent, they will not let you on the plane unless you are a very fast talker. The airlines know they will be out of pocket if you get denied entry on landing so they have a vested interest in making sure it doesn't happen

If you intend going flying in under the 90 day visa waiver system and driving out at a land border, they do have a system to allow that but it supposedly requires setting up before you arrive.

If you are taking your bike in to the US then the paperwork might be accepted as proof of onwards travel. We left a vehicle in South America for several months a couple of times and we were stopped from boarding at the last point in the EU until I showed the checkin clerk the TVIP and vehicle registration papers

The other thing you will need to do is to check on how the US visa stay clock works because they usually count short visits into Canada and Mexico as adding to the time allowed in the US so if you land in the US and spend 80 days there and then cross into Canada for 20 days you run a real risk of not being allowed into Alaska or mainland US. If you spent say 70 days in Canada that might be viewed differently.
Tony,
Thanks for the information.
You mentioned that they have a system that allows to enter just with a one way ticket. What system is it?
I could confirm that I leave the country. I have a B1/B2 vvisa.
Thanks.

My carrier in Germany highly recommend a return ticket because you will be ask by the airline at the check-in if you have one, if not they don't let you border the plane.

Martin
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  #6  
Old 6 Feb 2018
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We have been to the US 5 times on B1B2 visas and always on a one way ticket with no problems once they ight the visa page in our passports

Long time ago now but I asked the question



Quote:
I have a 5-year B1B2 multiple-entry visa (55952198 issued from the Sydney consulate) and the intention is to tour the US in a motorhome for periods up to the allowable time (6 months or as determined at the point of entry) on successive years.. On some visits, the touring may also include time in Canada or mexico before re-entering the US and travelling to the original point of entry to fly home.



Under these arrangements it may be too restrictive to have a return fare booked for a specific date.



Could you advise whether it is permissable to enter with a one way ticket and purchase the return ticket from the US end. If not, are there acceptable alternatives that will allow us some flexibility



Thanks
The reply


Quote:
Thank you for your inquiry.



If you are traveling on a visa, you may travel on a one way, return, or onward ticket.



Admission to the U.S., even with a valid visa, is always at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official at the port of entry. Therefore if you choose to travel on a one-way ticket, you must satisfy the CBP official that you intend to depart the U.S. within the allowed timeframe.



Best regards,



AMVISA

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney

(JH)


Homeland security on the internet have an email enquiry service that is very responsive so you should be able to get an up to date determination. Our last trip to the US was a year ago

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...NFdoTnFGRW4%3D and hit "email us with your question"

You could also ask the question about leaving by land as well as the oneway ticket. We have flown from Germany to the US twice - once with Air Berlin and once by ??? and they see the B1B2 visa page and there are no problems but if you get a reply from that US agency, that would help as well

I'm also going to contact them because the next trip I want to stay for about 8 months in US lower 48, Canada and Alaska but more than two months will be spent in Canada in one block and I understand that is sufficient to restart the 6 month clock but I want to make sure.
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  #7  
Old 7 Feb 2018
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Tony,
Thank you for your information.
I already made a reservation for a return flight which I can cancel or change for little money.
Martin
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