argentina proof of onward travel

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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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hey guys/gals!

thank you everyone!

The cheapest ticket out of the country is probably the boat to Carmelo, Uruguay.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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The air travel requirement giving digital nomads a migraine — and how to avoid it

Airlines overcomplying with proof of onward travel has seen full-time travelers miss their flights. here’s how to avoid the problem.

• April 24, 2024

In January, Veena Khan packed her suitcase and headed to Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport for a trip to see friends in Porto. But when she reached the check-in desk, the airline staff refused to issue her boarding pass. The reason? She didn’t have a return ticket back to the U.S.

A full-time traveler originally from New York, Khan was used to flying in and out of Argentina and was planning on returning to Buenos Aires. But, since she was not formally resident in Argentina, the airline said she could only board the plane if she had a return ticket to her country of origin — this despite the fact that she did not live in the United States.

“They wouldn’t let me return to another country, such as Brazil, and insisted I had to have a flight back to New York,” she said. 

Khan tried to secure a ticket number for a dummy ticket to Atlanta, but it didn’t work. In the end, she missed her flight. The whole experience left her frustrated and angry. Adding insult to injury, she couldn’t get a refund.

Legally, travelers do not have to present anything except a valid ID to leave Argentina. While some countries require proof of onward travel to enter, they do not typically place requirements on visitors’ next destination. But Khan is one of several travelers who recently told the Herald they had been refused boarding on their flights unless they had a return ticket to their home countries. 

Full-time remote work and travel — a lifestyle known as digital nomadism — has boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the near-total shutdown of the travel industry left many airlines gasping financially. As businesses taking on scores of new staff struggle to stay abreast of regulations, some travelers, like Khan, are falling through the cracks.

 An AirEuropa spokesperson said that the company was unable to identify the problem with Khan’s flight, and that it fell under the purview of “check-in staff, immigration and airport staff.” 

Why is this happening?

“Airlines are hyper-sensitive about regulations and making sure they’re not sending somebody somewhere they shouldn’t,” said Ryan Ewing, founder of air travel website AirlineGeeks.

“Airlines always need new ways to check regulations and requirements, which can change every week,” he added.

Ewing explains that because so many new workers have entered the industry since the COVID-19 pandemic, some are overcomplying with travel restrictions, creating complications that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) produces a computerized system known as Timatic, which allows major carriers to check people’s passports against the current regulatory state when they check in. This allows airlines to double-check they are not accepting passengers who aren’t cleared for travel.

“Airlines like to overcomply because fines can be immense,” said Ewing. According to IATA, major carriers face fines of up to US$2 million annually for transportation of inadmissible passengers. 

Because mistakes come at such a high price, Ewing argues, airlines are relatively safe in failing to let admissible passengers on board. 

“There may be a legal argument that they’re violating the contract of carriage in some way, but otherwise there’s not a lot of accountability in that regard,” he said.

How can you avoid this problem?

Travelers should always check whether the country they’re traveling to requires proof of onward travel in order to enter. If it does, booking a refundable flight or bus ticket may allow them to get around the problem.

Andrew Brush, also from the U.S., found himself in the same situation as Veena when traveling from Miami to Buenos Aires with an open ticket on the Colombian airline, Avianca. “[They] would not let us board without showing a return flight,” said Brush. After having to cut short a previous trip to Argentina, he and his wife had not booked a return flight because they wanted to take their time while touring the country. 

Brush ended up buying a plane ticket from a U.S. airline, which US law allows him to cancel without penalty up to 24 hours beforehand, and canceling it after getting through security. 

“Nobody in passport control asked us about it,” said Brush. “Nobody in Argentina seemed to care. It was just the airline when you’re trying to get on the plane.”

Travelers heading to a third country before returning home can show proof of their trip home, even if it does not depart from the country to which they’re traveling.

Dawn Handy, who has ventured to North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in her two years as a digital nomad, was flying from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Cape Town, South Africa, via KLM. 

“The woman at the counter asked, ‘Can I see your flight back to your home country?’” Handy told the Herald . “I assumed that she needed to see my departure from South Africa, so I showed her my ticket from Cape Town to Tunisia. But she then said she needed to see a boarding pass or ticket going back to my country of residence.”

Handy had a ticket from Tunisia to the US, but she insists that the airline employee “made it very clear that she wouldn’t have allowed me on the plane if she hadn’t seen that.”

KLM said they complied with all immigration regulations, while Avianca declined to comment.

Ewing suggested that passengers facing these issues shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and ask for a supervisor. 

“A lot of airlines use contractors that are not airline employees in their international stages,” he said. “Make sure you have multiple people reviewing your situation.”

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hey guys/gals!

thank you everyone!

The cheapest ticket out of the country is probably the boat to Carmelo, Uruguay.

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Hello. Has anybody been to Argentina and been asked for onward travel? I have read you can be denied entry.

I have proof of returning to the UK from Colombia. Will that be enough?

I don't remember anybody asking me if or when or how I was leaving Argentina, but it's a couple of years ago that I last visited.

Have you asked on the Argentina forum?

Your plane ticket to Sao Paulo is YOUR proof.

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Argentina: Flights

Table of Contents

Find Cheap Flights to & Around Argentina: Tips + Tricks

Argentina is an amazing travel destination, but it is literally at the ‘end of the world.’

Argentina is a long way away from Europe, Australia and North America, which means a flight here can be the most expensive part of your trip (unless you are doing something big, such as an arctic expedition).

Luckily for tourists, that cost can be offset by the fact that Argentina is once again a budget travel destination.

The cost of hotels , dining out , and transportation are reasonable compared to most northern countries, but both international flights to the country and domestic air travel have historically been one exception.

Buenos Aires’ International Airport

Most international flights land at Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport.

Locals call it ‘Ezeiza,’ after the district where it is located.

The airport code is ‘EZE’.

This airport services the majority of the international commercial flights to and from Buenos Aires.

Ezeiza is located about 45 minutes by car to the south of the city and unfortunately is not serviced by Buenos Aires train or a metro service.

Argentina Travel & COVID update:

Since April 4, 2022 Argentina’s borders have been open to everyone, even the unvaccinated.

Argentina Entry Requirements: There are now no special requirements. No proof of vaccination is needed.

Argentina’s Current Covid situation: In April 2022 severe Covid cases flattened out, so the government decided to open borders completely. They can use tourism dollars and the dollar is strong .

Schools, restaurants, bars and activities such as tango shows and Buenos Aires city tours and are fully operational, masks are no longer required.

Stadiums are operating at full capacity again for soccer games .

Travel Insurance

 Check out our Travel Insurance page to learn about inexpensive travel insurance options.

The Struggles of Budget Airlines in Argentina

The former pro-business national government was investing in aeronautical infrastructure and turned the old military airbase, Palomar Airport (EPA), 18 km west of Buenos Aires into a new domestic hub for low-cost airlines.

Before the national government changed hands in 2019 and Covid hit in 2020, Argentina’s notoriously underdeveloped domestic airline industry was improving.

Among the airlines who set up shop in Argentina when it opened in 2018 were Fly Bondi, Norwegian Air, Avianca, and RyanAir.

Since Argentina’s airline industry is chronically underdeveloped, Palomar quickly became the country’s fourth largest airport, serving 1.5 million passengers per year.

The rapid growth of low-cost airlines in Argentina meant many citizens were able to fly the friendly skies for the first time.

With a little bit of web savvy and research you can find the best airfare here so you will have more money to spend on tours , food and fun activities .

After the government changed hands and Covid hit, the Palomar airport was shut down in December 2020 after two years of operation as a commercial hub.

The controversial closing resulted in much chagrin of the airline companies who had invested considerable resources in establishing hubs there.

Argentina is the only Latin American country that sets a state-mandated minimum fair for flights, meaning domestic air travel is traditionally expensive and non-competitive.

Even though Argentina is a huge country, only 7% of the population take domestic flights — most people still rely on luxury long-distance buses for domestic travel to go to destinations such as San Carlos de Bariloche or Iguazu Falls .

When the budget airlines arrived, domestic flights became an affordable option, competitive with traditional intra-country transport of long-distance buses.

Buenos Aires primary domestic airport, Jorge Newbery was also temporarily shut down during the pandemic but got a 500 million dollar upgrade since then.

The addition of a international terminal, a longer runway and better approach lighting expands its capacity to receive international flights from other Latin American countries.

For now, airlines such as Emirates, Air New Zealand, Norwegian and Qatar have stopped their flights to Argentina.

According to a study commissioned by the Buenos Aires City government, 17 airlines stopped doing business in Argentina between the years of 2020-2022.

LATAM, the largest airline company in Latin America, filed for bankruptcy in May 2020 and in shut down LATAM Argentina in early 2021.

On the bright side, Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas has resumed service to Buenos Aires and plans to resume service to Cordoba and Mendoza soon.

The new low-cost airlines SKY is offering eleven weekly flights between Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Initially FlyBondi whose motto is, ‘The Freedom to Fly,’ fought the closing of Palomar airport and threatened to leave the country.

Finally they acquiesced and now have set up their fleet of Boeing 737-800 at Ezeiza and Newbery airports.

FlyBondi is now the main budget airline in Argentina and they recently increased direct intercontinental flights, adding one from Porte Alegre to Bariloche.

Flybondi also flies into Bariloche from Rio de Janeiro and operate flights between Bariloche and Cordoba.

Another new addition are flights to Puerto Madryn from Bariloche.

Until more airlines get back in the game, there are only three airlines to choose from for domestic flights in Argentina:

•Aerolíneas Argentinas (the state-owned airline)

• Flybondi (budget)

• Jetsmart (budget)

Soon, Chile’s Sky Airlines, which merged with Avianca, will hopefully start offering intra-country routes in Argentina.

Popular International Routes into Buenos Aires

Low-cost airlines started offering new international routes to Buenos Aires in 2019.

They were eager to get into the market, as Argentina is a country that attracts a lot of tourism but has a chronically underdeveloped airline industry.

Among the other new 80 international routes into Argentina that were granted in recent years are flights from Istanbul, Barcelona, Helsinki and even secondary European cities such as Kefalonia and Split.

Norwegian was also trying to establish routes between Buenos Aires-Honolulu and Buenos Aires-Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as Buenos Aires-Singapore via Perth before they stopped operations in March 2020, the month the pandemic hit.

Turkish Airlines did away with their direct flight in 2020.

Quantas also scrapped their 17-hour direct flight between Sydney and Buenos Aires, although in 2022 they did schedule special flights for sporting events.

As of 2022, there are now 50% fewer international flights into Argentina compared to 2019, according to a study conducted by the city of Buenos Aires.

Before the pandemic there were 49 cities with routes to the capital.

There are now only 32 airlines flying into Buenos Aires international destinations.

Now, due to scarcity prices to fly to Argentina are even higher.

If you see a good price on a flight, bite the bullet and buy because now that there is a dearth of flights, the longer you wait, the more the price rises.

Search for flights 💃🏽

Now that people are eager to travel this advice especially hold true.

But the airline industry is slowly reviving.

Delta has run a route from Atlanta International Airport to Buenos Aires for years.

They’ve now added a new overnight route from New York City on a Boeing 767.

After a 21-month suspension, Air Canada resumed flights from Montreal and Toronto to Argentina in 2022. After having increased the size of their planes to the Boeing 777, with 400 seats in 2019 they are back to the Boeing 777-300.

There are ten flights from London per week. British Airway’s direct flight takes 14 hours. Predictably there are more flights available between Madrid and Buenos Aires. The 13 MAD-EZE flights per week involve 13 hours in the air.

As it stands, traveling between Asia or Oceania and Argentina is an ordeal that usually requires a stopover in the USA, Europe or the Middle East.

There are an average of seven 24 hours+flights a week from Seoul, with stops in Atlanta or New York.

Quantas stopped their. direct flight from Sydney. The flight begins in Brisbane and flies directly into Cordoba’s capital city with a stop in Santiago, Chile.

Should you buy round trip ticket to Argentina?

Argentina has one of the highest tax rates in the world, so even those who are moving here or coming for a few months to work remotely, often purchase round trip or onward ticket to avoid the astronomical taxes purchasing the return ticket in Argentina.

If you think you might stay in Argentina longer than the maximum 180 days legally allotted on a tourist visa (with one renewal), consider reserving a round-trip ticket that can be changed — even if there is a fee to change the ticket, it will likely be less expensive than purchasing a new one-way ticket out of Argentina.

International round-trip tickets are almost always less expensive to purchase than two one-way tickets anyways.

Proof of Onward Travel

Even though Argentina is famously lax on immigration , they require proof of onward travel for those arriving to Argentina on a tourist visa.

Digital nomads or expats who plan to stay longer than the three months allowed under a tourist visa sometimes buy a refundable ticket out of the country and purchase one and cancel it within 24 hours.

Another popular alternative is to just book an inexpensive ferry ride across the River Plate to Colonia Uruguay, which will give you a brand new stamp in your passport, and another three months visa (although we caution against using this option too much on our Living in Argentina page.

• How to get the cheapest airline ticket to Argentina?

Despite a couple of remaining lower-cost airline options with regular flights to Argentina, it still costs a pretty penny to get to Argentina.

One of the best ways to save on airfare is to book a flight from a major hub and purchase any domestic tickets separately.

For instance, if you are coming from Portland, book your ticket to Argentina from a hub such as Miami and then book the domestic flight separately.

This works for Canadians too.

Air Canada has flights to Buenos Aires directly from Toronto.

But a traveler from Vancouver or Calgary may discover it makes more sense to fly to Houston or Miami for the international flight to Buenos Aires rather than flying to Toronto and departing from there.

It does vary based on demand and sometimes Air Canada’s prices are competitive with US airlines.

Miami is the number one U.S. hub for flights to Buenos Aires and sometimes there are deals for round trip flights to Buenos Aires from Miami for competitive prices on Cheapo Air .

The same idea applies for Europe — to get the cheapest flight, buy the cheapest ticket to Buenos Aires from one of the continental hubs such as Madrid or London, and then buy the intra-E.U. ticket separately on a low-cost airlines such as Ryan Air, or take the train.

There are also regular direct flights to Buenos Aires from New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Houston. Iberia and British Airways fly direct to Buenos Aires from London.

If purchasing the various legs of the trip independently, make sure to allow enough time to change flights during layovers.

Layovers Save you Money

Unfortunately the more you are willing to suffer, the less you pay —flights with one or two layovers tend to be far less expensive.

According to a historical analysis of data from Google Flights, direct flights are 20% more expensive than those with just one layover.

There are online tools such as Skyscanner that allow you to see which days have cheaper fares.

There are also newer tools such as WayAway that help you to do a multi-city flight itinerary to take advantage of the layover savings.

It’s true that dates and day of the week does influence cost. Early, mid-week and Saturday fares are lower.

November is known as a ‘dead zone’ in the airline industry — this is a month when flights generally cost less (except for around America’s Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.).

It also happens to be perhaps the nicest month during the height of spring in Argentina —  so if you aren’t sure when to visit, November is a good bet cost-wise and weather-wise.

October and early December are other times when flights cost a little less and are a good time to travel to Argentina.

The day of the week that you travel matters more, but the day you search for tickets is a factor too.

Most airlines tickets sold online are purchased on Sundays, when people are off work and arranging travel.

But Tuesday afternoon is the best time to shop for flights online — this is when discounted fares are released and start making the rounds in the search engines.

If your travel date is close, this does not apply. In that case it’s better to just purchase the ticket as soon as possible.

While some say that you should erase cookies every time you search for flights, the theory that flight prices go up every time a new search is conducted has been debunked.

The reason the cost goes up when you check the same search engine again is simple supply and demand — the tickets are being purchased, so demand is higher.

When searching for tickets to Argentina, you may notice that flights are much cheaper into Rio de Janeiro, Santiago or Montevideo.

It cost more to fly into Ezeiza due to Argentina’s high taxes and strong unions.

If the savings are significant — or you’re someone with more time than money — it may be worthwhile to fly into one of those cities and then purchase another flight to Buenos Aires separately.

You could even take the ferry from Montevideo.

Argentina’s Domestic Airport

Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery, commonly called Newbery (airport code: AEP) services most of the country’s 30 domestic flights.

It is a short distance north of downtown Buenos Aires and convenient for those staying in the popular Palermo neighorhood .

Argentina’s Domestic Airlines

Aerolíneas Argentinas is the main domestic airlines in Argentina.

It is a state-run airline that has been in business since 1950.

LATAM used to be another major airline that operated domestic flights in Argentina, but they dissolved operations in 2020.

The Chilean airline still operates flights in and out of Argentina, but stopped domestic flights in Argentina during the pandemic.

As long as passengers purchase the tickets at least several weeks in advance, tickets are available to major destination in Argentina such as Mendoza, Cordoba and Puerto Iguazú.

Due to the limited number of flights they sell out fast, so the best advice is to book as far in advance as possible to get the best price.

Those who are flying into Buenos Aires from an international destination and then immediately going to another destination will most likely have to get a transfer from Ezeiza to the domestic airport, Newbery.

When booking internal flights keep in mind that domestic flights get canceled, or have delays more than anyone cares to admit, so tight itineraries should be avoided, especially on budget airlines. Flybondi offers the cheapest flights, but like most budget airlines, doesn’t get rave reviews.

Most domestic airlines allow up to a 15kg checked bag and a carry-on of 8kg.

How to get the best price purchasing flights within Argentina?

To get the best price for flights within Argentina it pays to book them well in advance, either through a local travel agent or online from abroad.

This particularly holds true around Argentina’s vacation periods of December through February, Easter week and the winter holiday month of July, when prices are higher.

Since there are still relatively few internal flights within Argentina, the prices rise as availability goes down and the date of departure nears.

There is not a phenomena of ‘last-minute flight deals’ in Argentina, so plan ahead.

It is particularly expensive to fly to remote areas of southern Patagonia.

While they don’t have many flights, if arranging your own travel it is worthwhile to check out the state-run Lade Airline, based in Comodoro Rividavia.

Norwegian Air Argentina was granted permission to operate flights to 72 Argentine destinations, creating 51 new routes within the country but now their grand plans have been put on hold indefinitely.

For now travelers have Aerolineas Argentinas, Latam, Jetsmart, the Brazilian company Gol and others for flights around South America.

For domestic flights the only choices are Aerolineas Argentinas and the sole survivors among the budget airlines doing domestic flights, FlyBondi and Jetsmart.

From Buenos Aires there are flights available to:

• Bariloche • Córdoba • Iguazú • Jujuy, • Salta • Corrientes: • Mendoza: • Posadas • Tucumán • Santiago del Estero • Trelew • Neuquén

Like most budget airlines, Flybondi is cheap, but not that great. Jetsmart gets even more complaints.

Whether more low-cost airlines will brave enough to reenter Argentina’s domestic market remains to be seen.

Laws such as that requiring the airlines to hire only Argentine pilots, union demands and inflation were already a challenge to the successful establishment of an Argentine budget airline industry.

It should also be noted that the state-run Aerolíneas Argentinas has a two-tier pricing system for internal flights in Argentina.

Citizens and those who have a DNI (resident identity card) get much cheaper flights, and foreigners pay the big bucks.

Some foreigners have found they can get around paying the non-resident price by purchasing flights online for the local price and paying in cash.

See the post ‘ Hacking Argentine Air Travel ‘ on Gringo Buenos Aires to learn more how this works.

The main tricks are to purchase the ticket online, check-in online, and only take a carry on.

It’s worth a shot for those who think rules were made to be broken, but be aware if you are busted trying to fly on the resident fare you will have to pay the difference on the spot before boarding.

Those who are staying in Argentina have the option to pay for domestic tickets in cash after reserving online.

After booking online, go to Pago Facil or Rapipago with the payment information and your I.D.

These payment services sometimes conveniently offer Western Union and other money transfer service s that foreigners are fond of because they pay out rates close to the Blue Dollar.

Get in touch via our contact form if interested in arranging a trip with flight arrangements included — popular destinations are Iguazu Falls , the Andean Northwest , Mendoza and Patagonia .

How to Search for the Best Flight

A good tool to start your search is Google Flights , which is one of the fastest airfare search engines.

This gives you an idea of the availability, airlines that fly your route, and a starting price range.

You can also use the map tool on the upper left-hand pull-down menu to see alternate routes to and from nearby cities and sign up for alerts.

Another great tool from is Google Explore , which lets you set a variety of parameters, such as ‘flights to Buenos Aires in the next three months.’

You can filter by the cheapest fares and once in a blue moon maybe find a cheap mistake fare.

Once you have an idea of the cost and availability of the flight you want, use an airfare search engine retailer such Skyscanner .

Skyscanner doesn’t sell tickets directly and they don’t work with every travel agent and airline.

Once you spot a good deal on Skyscanner it is worthwhile to keep the tab open and check out a few other search engines to compare prices for the same itinerary before purchasing.

Ticket consolidators often have good deals.

Here are a few alternate options:

• CheapoAir lives up to its name, with some of the best fares out there. Unlike some larger flight consolidators, they have actually have customer service if you need to call them.

They also specialize in round-the-world deals for those who are doing extensive traveling.

• One Travel is a search engine for cheap tickets that displays prices on a calender

•  Jetrader is a good tool because, unlike many other search engines, their searches include budget airlines and their calendar indicates which days have lower cost flights.

• Expedia sometimes has good deals, so it’s worth checking out. If there are problems, their overseas customer service can be a pain to deal with though.

Don’t miss your flight with Expedia unless you love talking (and waiting) on the phone  — you’ve been forewarned.

Once you’ve checked out a few different sites, you usually have a good idea of what you will be paying and which websites offer the best deals.

Check out our currency converter Compare: – the official rate – the blue dollar – the Western Union rate ➡

It’s best to go ahead and pull the trigger after searching for an hour or two  — if you wait the price will usually increase, and this is especially true for domestic flights within Argentina, due to its limited airline industry.

Also, buying something online that costs hundreds of bucks is stressful.

It’s easy to prolong the torture searching for a few days, but, once you’ve searched in a few places, it’s unlikely that a lot of anxiety-filled hours waiting on more search results will save you enough money to make up for the time invested.

It’s also worth considering, not just the price of your airline ticket, but the value of it.

Consider the extra costs of travel transfers from far-flung airports, airport food and extra airline fees.

Is it really worth saving $50 to endure a 18-hour layover in a dingy airport?

Are you bringing so much luggage that you will get stuck with high baggage fees on a budget airlines, thereby defeating the purpose of buying a cheap flight?

Will you earn miles and have more legroom if you take a flight that is slightly more expensive on a favored airline?

→ Wander Argentina can help arrange travel around Argentina with customizable itineraries to all the top destinations including Mendoza , Patagonia , Salta and Iguazu .

Flights are arranged free of charge for those purchasing a travel package. Get in touch via our contact form to request sample itineraries.

Do you have any flight purchasing tips that we’ve missed? Let us know on the Wander Argentina Facebook Page or Twitter .

Buenos Aires Airport Transport

→ Book our safe, friendly and comfortable private transport from the airport .

→ Read about getting a shuttle or taxi from the airport here .

→ Don’t forget to check out our curated list of Buenos Aires City and Day Tours

→  Do you Need Travel Insurance for a Trip to Argentina?

→  Driving and Car Rental in Argentina

→  What to Pack for Argentina?

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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!

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Hello. Has anybody been to Argentina and been asked for onward travel? I have read you can be denied entry.

I have proof of returning to the UK from Colombia. Will that be enough?

I don't remember anybody asking me if or when or how I was leaving Argentina, but it's a couple of years ago that I last visited.

Have you asked on the Argentina forum?

Your plane ticket to Sao Paulo is YOUR proof.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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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!

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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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Apologies if this has been asked before but given the new rules do I need proof of onward travel? I will be arriving early November.

5 replies to this topic

You probably will need proof of onward travel.

Try bestonwardticket.com or similar site.

Travel hack.

Jimmy, do you know that what you are suggesting here is illegal??

Now, if a person did this with intent to illegally overstay, that would be a whole another story. I'm not looking to overstay. I'm just looking to stay flexible.

How is this illegal?

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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. minutes

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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 . 

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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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• Published on August 12, 2023

How To Provide Proof Of Onward Travel – And The Workaround

What is an onward ticket and why do i need it.

Some countries demand proof of onward travel (or an onward ticket) when you enter their territory.

That onward ticket serves as proof that you do not intend to stay in the country any longer than your visa allows.

At the time of entry into the nation or when checking in at the airport, it may be required. If you do not have an onward ticket, some airlines will not let you board the aircraft because they will be responsible for your situation if you are turned away.

After that, it is reasonable to assume that you might be required to present a valid form of identification for your next destination. We wanted to address this issue in this article because some countries will be more likely to ask you to present.

Onward Travel For Digital Nomads

Most nomads don’t have a plan. But before going to a country check about visa extensions and limitations. Many countries will ask when you are leaving the country, and answering “I don’t know” is not a valid answer.  See below for some more information on onward travel.

Which countries require an onward ticket?

Below are some countries that require an onward ticket but this list is not complete, so check your destination.

Peru Indonesia Brazil Phillipines Thailand Vietnam Laos Cambodia Myanmar Schengen countries Hong Kong China Japan Korea United Kingdom New Zealand

How To Get Proof Of Onward Travel

1.buy a round trip flight or refundable ticket.

If you know you are going home after, a round trip flight is all you need. If you are unsure of your return date. buy a refundable ticket, usually airlines allow for 24 hour refund window after purchasing, but be sure to check the airlines rules!

2. Buy a bus ticket

Immigration just wants to know you are leaving the country, a bus ticket is cheaper than an airline ticket.

3. Buy a temporary(Valid) ticket

Either buy a round trip flight for your trip or use OnwardTicket

Common Questions About Onward Tickets

An onward ticket is proof that a traveler has a reserved seat on a flight, train, or other form of transportation to leave a country.

While some countries accept bus, train, or ferry tickets as valid proof, others might insist on a plane ticket. It depends on the country’s specific regulations.

Yes, there are online services that offer rental or temporary onward tickets for a fee. These are legitimate tickets, but they are automatically canceled after a short period, usually 24 to 48 hours.

If your plans change after entering a country, and you wish to stay longer than initially intended, you should seek to modify your visa or obtain the necessary permissions to extend your stay legally.

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• Travel Tips

7 Best Ways To Provide Proof Of Onward Travel

Published: September 21, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Mandi Antunez

• Plan Your Trip

Traveling is an enriching experience that opens our minds to new cultures, people, and places. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, one of the key considerations is having proof of onward travel. Many countries require visitors to show evidence of their departure before granting a visa or allowing entry. This proof assures immigration officials that you have a planned itinerary and will not overstay your welcome. While it may seem like just another administrative task, providing proof of onward travel doesn’t have to be a hassle. In this article, we will explore the 7 best ways to provide proof of onward travel, offering you practical solutions to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey. So let’s dive in and discover the options that can help you navigate this important aspect of international travel!

Flight Itinerary

One of the most common ways to provide proof of onward travel is by presenting a flight itinerary. This document shows your planned flights, including your departure and arrival dates, ensuring that you have a scheduled departure from the country you are visiting.

Travel Reservation Confirmation

Another reliable method is to present a travel reservation confirmation. This can include hotel bookings, train or bus tickets, or even a cruise reservation. These confirmations demonstrate that you have made arrangements for your onward journey.

Return or Round-Trip Ticket

A return or round-trip ticket is a straightforward way to prove that you intend to leave the country within the designated time frame. This ticket shows the airline or transport company your plan to return to your home country or travel to another destination.

Flexibility Tickets

Utilizing flexibility tickets is another way to satisfy the requirement for proof of onward travel. These tickets allow you to make changes or cancel your reservation without incurring substantial fees, ensuring that you have the flexibility to adapt to any unforeseen circumstances or changes in your travel plans.

Renting a Car

In certain situations, renting a car can serve as proof of onward travel. By providing the rental agreement or reservation confirmation, you can demonstrate that you have plans to continue your journey within the country.

Joining an Organized Tour

Booking an organized tour with a reputable travel agency can also be considered proof of onward travel. The tour itinerary and confirmation of your participation show that you have planned activities and accommodations for the duration of your stay.

Proof of Accommodation

Presenting proof of accommodation in the form of a hotel reservation, a booking confirmation from a vacation rental platform, or even a letter of invitation from a friend or family member residing in the country can be accepted as evidence of your planned stay and onward travel.

Overall, these 7 best ways to provide proof of onward travel offer various options that fit different travel itineraries and preferences. When traveling abroad, it’s essential to be prepared and meet the visa requirements to avoid any potential issues or delays during your journey.

Providing proof of onward travel is an essential requirement when traveling to many countries. It ensures that you have a specific plan and intention to leave the destination within the authorized time frame. By following the seven best ways mentioned in this article, you can easily meet this requirement and avoid any unnecessary hassles or complications during your journey.

Remember to always check the specific regulations of the country you are visiting, as requirements may vary. Whether it’s purchasing a fully refundable ticket, using an onward ticket service, or simply having a valid visa, there are plenty of options to choose from.

By being prepared and organized, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience, without any concerns about providing proof of onward travel.

1. Why do I need to provide proof of onward travel?

Many countries require proof of onward travel to ensure that visitors do not overstay their authorized duration and to control immigration. It is a way to confirm that you have a plan to leave the country within the specified period.

2. What can I use as proof of onward travel?

You can use various methods, such as a fully refundable flight ticket, a bus or train ticket to a neighboring country, a travel itinerary showing your departure date, or a valid visa for your next destination.

3. Can I use a fake ticket as proof of onward travel?

No, using a fake ticket is illegal and can lead to severe consequences. It is essential to provide genuine and verifiable proof of onward travel to avoid any legal issues or being denied entry into a country.

4. What if my onward travel plans change after providing proof?

If your travel plans change after providing proof of onward travel, you may need to adjust your documentation accordingly. It is best to keep your travel plans flexible or opt for refundable tickets to avoid any complications.

5. Are there any exceptions to the proof of onward travel requirement?

Yes, in some cases, certain countries may exempt certain travelers from providing proof of onward travel. This may include citizens of specific countries, travelers with valid residence permits, or those on a pre-approved visa waiver program. Always check the specific requirements for your destination.

6. Can I rely on a one-way ticket for my onward travel?

In most cases, a one-way ticket is not sufficient as proof of onward travel, as it does not demonstrate a plan to leave the country within the authorized duration. It’s best to have a confirmed return or onward ticket.

7. How far in advance should I provide proof of onward travel?

It is recommended to have proof of onward travel ready at the time of your arrival. This ensures a smooth entry process and avoids any unnecessary delays or difficulties at immigration.

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