Job Discussion Forums

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

Just to let you know I have signed a contract and booked my ticket to China, I was promised a return ticket on completion of my contract so I only bought a one-way.

I suddenly remembered that when travelling to any country as a tourist you will be turned back if you have no proof of onward journey. I have a Z-Visa for china. Is the fact that I don't have my return ticket going to be a problem? I assumed it was ok because I am coming there to work.

any advice would be appreciated, maybe I'll have to get a separate ticket for the return journey.

sojourner · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:

D Moon,

When I arrived in China,for the first time,in late Nov 2002,I was on a Tourist Visa - and did not have a return or "onward" ticket ! I had no problems,whatsover, with the Immigration authorities at Beijing airport - I was processed very quickly - I can't remember whether I was even asked any questions - just the thump of the stamp is all that I can recall !

I had been promised a job and knew that my agent was at the airport to meet me.If the Immigration authorities were to have hassled me,I would have asked them to call my recruiter, over the PA system, to come over to explain my situation to them.Do you have a letter from your recruiter or employer re the job offer ? If not,email them to fax it (in both English and Chinese) to you now,in case there are any problems at the airport when you arrive.In my case,no one at the airport asked me to produce such a letter - nevertheless,it might come in handy, in case you have to deal with an over-zealous bureaucrat ! Also,will there be someone at the airport to meet you ?

No,at least based on my own situation over 12 months ago,I don't think that you'll have any problems arriving in the PRC on a one-way ticket only.But others may have had different experiences.

Regards,

Peter

Chairman Roberto · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 150 Location: Taibei, Taiwan

I did the same thing myself...came on a Z visa that was later changed to work L Visa. It seems to be the standard practice here...plus it gives you and the school a few weeks to figure out if you really want to be there. If the school is serious about keeping you, they'll change your visa in a timely manner. If not, you can always get the visa extended at any major city and look for work among the 5 million other schools desperate for foreign teachers.

best of luck!
Roberto

Mister Ed · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 32

I last came in on a 6 month tourist visa and a one way ticket, arriving in Guangzhou.
No problems.

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

I suddenly had a panic attack.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

No one can care less than the Chinese do, whether you have outward bound travel arrangements. In case you have no funds to help you the authorities will do strictly nothing - just the same as when Chinese travellers abroad have no money, then their consulates will ignore them and the local authorities.
The Chinese know too well your country cannot allow you to starve to death in their country.

Many words one meaning: you won't need a return ticket! Except, perhaps, at the airport of your place; some folks complained last year that their own Immigration authority would not allow them to board a China-bound airliner!
That was from Canada and/or the USA, if I remember correctly!

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

I had a Z visa when I arrived. I didn't even have an ingoing ticket; I just walked across the border from Macau to Zuhai. No big deal.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

as Roger said, sometimes the American/Candian booking agent will "hassle" you if you don't have a return ticket. Bunch of nonsense

china doesn't care less. The only advantage of a round trip ticket is the cost. But the school should pay for it anyways

jppu · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:13 pm Post subject:

Back in April 2003, i attempted to reentered China with a one way ticket on an F Visa. But my good ol' buddies at Northwest Airlines at Tampa Int. Airport said that I needed to buy a return ticket. He said that if I had had a Z visa and other documentation (invitation letter?) I wouldn't have needed to purchase the fully refundable one way ticket from Hong Kong to Hawaii (he really worked hard to get me a very cheap ticket) which cost $1300 which he was happy to sell me. Luckily, I had enough room on my credit card for this useless purchase. Of course, China immigration never once looked at it; they barely stamped my passport. Also lucky was that I was living in Beijing at the time. So the next morning after my arrival, I hauled a.ss down to NW Guo Mao and got my $1300 back. This transaction probably would have been a bit more difficult from the sticks where i reside now.