Job Discussion Forums

[fletcht100]

Does anyone know what the deal is on entering countries such as Peru/Bolivia/Chile/Ecuador on a one-way ticket? Do you have to show onward travel and if so, what's the cheapest way of doing that (bus tickets??).

Basically we're flying to the region, initially to travel and then to find work , but don't know where.

Would also appreciate people's experiences with obtaining work visas - are they necessary? etc., (my girlfriend and I are both qualified TEFL teachers).

Thanks!

[naturegirl321]

It depends on your nationality. For Americans, about half require proof of onward travel. Go to the embassy's websites. If you are American, go do a google search for Entry Requirements it will take you to the Dept of State site.

[fletcht100]

No British. Does that make it easier or harder??

[mesmerod]

i've read that to enter colombia i would need a proof of return flight by way of a round-trip ticket. does anyone have any tips on how i can do this through a ticket agency where my return flight can be canceled and the money returned? would an independant one-way ticket out of the country be just as acceptable as a one-way ticket so i can cancel the other ticket once i am in the country? thanks

[naturegirl321]

How about Peru?
I heard and the US says that you must have around trip ticket, but I'm going to enter on one way,
Has anyone done this before?

[moonraven]

Ecuador is a tough place to get a work permit. Most schools help you to get a Cultural Exchange Visa instead. Nobody checked to see if I had a round-trip ticket, but to leave the country you must go to the immigration office and get an exit permit. And they do check that when you leave the country--I left twice, and they checked both times.

[matttheboy]

i would say that you would have to be the unluckiest Briton alive to get asked for an onward ticket in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. I was never asked for proof of this, nor have i ever been asked in chile or argentina and i've been in and out of these 2 countries about 15 times (by bus and plane) in the last 6 months without anyone batting an eye-lid.

I worked in Ecuador, left, went back a few months later and never had a problem. As for the exit visa Moonravon talked about, this isn't necessary either. I never met anyone who needed to go to immigration other than to extend their tourist visa. And a friend overstayed her Ecuadorian 3 month tourist visa by 7 weeks, had to pay a $3 fine and was free to re-enter whenever she wanted...the only south american (as opposed to central american) country that sometimes has issues with onward tickets is Brazil and only if you enter by air, by bus there won't be a problem.

As for work visas- you don't need them-just leave the country every 3 months and re-enter. Problem solved. Have fun.

[moonraven]

Maybe an exit visa isn't necessary if you leave Ecuador by bus, but if you leave by plane and you don't have it the going rate for bribing the airport jokers in Guayaquil last year was between 50 and 100 dollars--or at least that's what 2 profs who worked for me at the university paid because they were too lazy to go to the immigration office and get an exit visa. Considering that the exit visa costs 4 dollars....a word to the wise, better safe than sorry and all those other moldy dichos apply here.

[matttheboy]

Maybe leaving from Guayaquil is different- i left by air 3 times from Quito in all, twice with friends, and had many other friends who left by air from the capital and we never had to get an exit visa, just to pay the $25 airport/exit(?) tax at the airport (this is official and everyone, including Ecuadorians have to pay it)...maybe there's a different rule for Americans?