Job Discussion Forums

[Toon Army]

I know a return ticket is 'required' but have any of you guys experienced problems at customs/immigration entering with a 1 way ticket? are you ever asked about having an onward journey ticket?

thanks in advance

[sallycat]

could you clarify your visa situation? it's not a requirement if you have a work visa, for example.

[Quibby84]

No one checked to see if we had a return ticket, and our friend came in with a one way ticket, neither of us had work visas. But we are American and I think that some places are different, for example I think that New Zealand checks before you ever leave...

[groothewanderer]

[taikibansei]

[Quibby84]

Maybe it is the airline, but I know a few instances where people could get through and I only know one where someone could not, but he couldnt get on the plane in New Zealand...so he knew ahead of time and was able to buy a ticket. But no, we werent checked and alot of people at my school come with a one way ticket...believe or not, it happened...

[JimDunlop2]

[ironopolis]

I'd agree with taikibansei that the initial hurdle anyone in this situation needs to concern themseleves with is actually getting on the plane TO Japan in the first place.

In fact, airlines often won't let you board with a one-way ticket to many countries (not just Japan) unless they're satisfied that your visa status or some other factor means you have the right to stay there. And, it is true that, in many countries, the airlines are fined heavily for bringing people without the correct visa documentation.

Actually, I myself once came to Japan on a one-way ticket. It was for a job with a fairly reputable employer where I was hired pretty last minute and was told to come on a one-way and that I would be sent to Korea to sort out my visa. I wasn't entirely happy about doing this, but the employer assured me that it wouldn't be a problem and that, if asked, I should just say that I was staying in Japan for a couple of weeks and then going to Korea by sea and would be buying the ticket for that later.

What happened when I landed in Japan was a little bit strange - immigration gave me no hassle at all. They merely asked how long I was staying but didn't ask to see my return ticket and gave me the 90 day tourist stamp very quickly. Customs, however, was a very different story. They were suspicious about the size of my suitcase, given that I said I was only staying for a couple of weeks. They took me off to another room for about an hour's questioning and various searches although they never actually asked to see my return ticket. It's possible that they were just seizing a rare chance to pick on a gaijin - this was a smallish airport in Kyushu with little international traffic - and that the one-way ticket had nothing to do with it.

Ultimately, I'd say to the OP - if it's feasible for you to avoid coming on a one-way, it'd surely be better. But if you have to do it, provided you can actually get on the plane in the first place, you may well be ok on arrival. Still worth having a good story ready, however, just in case.

[elliewelliesj]

I dont want to encourage you to risk it, or be irresponsible - but I can only comment on my experience. I flew from London, with Lufthansa, on a one way ticket. I didnt have a work visa or anything official, and was never once hassled or questioned at any point. BUT i wasnt so worried as the school that had offered me a job had given me a letter in Japanese saying that i was arriving in the country without a work visa but would be applying once in Japan and would not be working until I had received it. So if I had been questioned, I could have shown that. So I guess you could ask for that should you have a job lined up.... and have no other choice but to get a one way....
But I had been working in Ecuador before that so was pretty used to slack visa issues! Japan is a lot tighter.

[AndyH]

I originally came to Japan via Ferry (one-way ticket) from South Korea, without a work visa. Three months later, I made a visa run to Seoul for a work visa, and returned on a one-way ticket.
Three year later, I went to Guatemala for six months, and returned to Japan on a one-way ticket, without a visa. I obtained my work visa in Tokyo.

[AndyH]

....and, I was never hassled by immigration.

[Grasshopper]

I knew some Canadian friends that entered on one way tickets a few years ago before their work visas went through, and they had to buy onward tickets to Thailand (for the WHOLE family...) before they were able to enter Japan...

Entering on a one-way ticket without a work visa, permanent residency, etc...not a good idea...

G.

[Quibby84]

In the end, a one way ticket and a round trip ticket price is not that different if you look for discount tickets....you just as well buy the round trip...

[Mahik]

But what if the airline doesn't book flights more than 10 months ahead? Most contracts are 1 year, so I don't see what you could do besides buying two one way tickets and then getting a refund on the return trip.

[groothewanderer]