Job Discussion Forums

[Babala]

It's not China that will give the hassle, it's the airline. Last time I flew on a one-way I had no problem but the time before Chine Eastern wasn't going to let me on the plane even though I clearly had a Z visa. It helps if you have a credit card with you so you can show that you have the means to buy a ticket if need be.

[Noelle]

I remember going through this when I tried to book a ticket to China the summer before last. My school wanted me to buy a one way but I was entering on a tourist visa every airline was telling me I could not enter on a one way ticket with that type of visa.

I ended up buying my ticket (one way) from a Chinese travel agent in D.C. When I got to the United Airlines counter at Dulles Airport, I nearly missed my flight because the agent refused to check my baggage and give me a boarding pass unless I bought a return ticket on the spot! It was awful. My school in China kept insisting there would be no problem when I arrived in Shanghai but the ticket agent and airline rep insisted I would be deported immediately and that the airline would be fined.

Anyhow, I managed to talk the ticket agent at Dulles into printing me a "fake" return boarding pass for 3 days later(don't know how he managed to do that) and just let it expire. I was supposed to present this in Shanghai.
I barely made it to the gate in time to board the plane. When I arrived in Shanghai, nobody checked for a return ticket.
All that hassle for nothing! As if.....
Getting into China was fine. Getting out of the states was one big stupid headache!

[jeffinflorida]

United fed you some crap. You don't need a return ticket.

I have never been asked for proof of outgoing flight by customs in China.

I have entered via Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Beijing and never a question by the customs people about outbound proof.

[Noelle]

It is crap, but it's not just United that's feeding it. There's this thing called a Timetic (spelling) display that requires airlines be alert travelers that travelling to certain countries on a one way ticket will require more than a 30 day tourist visa. I really think the ticket agent was just trying to do his job but eventually even he realized the sheer idiocy of it all and decided to help me out.
Like you said, they don't care once you get to China. They stamped my passport and sent me on my merry way.

[kerrilee]

I flew Air China from Bangkok........well they told me they could not check me in cos I did not have a return (I am not even from Bangkok he he), I told them I would go to the UK by train, then they looked suspiciously at my 2 credit cards and asked how much credit there was on them.....charged me more than they had told me on the phone for excess baggage, told me I would without doubt be deported from Beijing so why bother then made me sign a disclaimer saying the airline were not responsible...I had 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th thoughts about coming but risked it. Not even a question about onward travel in Beijing! They stamped my passport and said goodbye....However i think I would recommend those entering on a tourist visa to get a ticket to hong Kong or somewhere that can be refunded it saves a lot of grey hairs!

[clark.w.griswald]

[jeffinflorida]

While I still say it is crap that they require a return ticket it is in the airlines best interest to require this.

There is some international rule that says the airline or ship that brought you into a country has to bring you back to the origination country should you not be allowed in at the port of entry or if you do not have a valid visa .

So if United brought you to Mainland China on a flight from the USA and the customs people did not let you in - pick a reason - then United or whatever airline brought you to Beijing or Shanghai must bring you back to the USA.

If you did not have a return ticket then they must pay for your seat.

So it's a strickly a business decison by the airline. Not a government regulation.