Job Discussion Forums

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I'm guessing that most of the people above who say they came in on one-way tickets had a working visa or COE in hand. With one of those, there is no issue with coming in on a one-way ticket. What is tricky is trying to come to Japan on a one-way flight with no visa. Can people posting please clarify whether they had a visa/COE already or not?

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

I had a working visa and a one way ticket. When the customs lady first looked at my passport she asked "when are you returning?" and I said "in one year... I have this working visa" and she looked and went "ohh! Okay!" and let me through.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

As I said above, there is no issue if you have a working visa. I have flown back into Japan countless times on flights originating in Japan, i.e. no ticket out, and of course they let me on the plane. Now maybe if the OP could say if he does have a visa or not- from his other posts where he said he was on a soon-to-expire WHV, I assumed no.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

Leith · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:32 am Post subject:

I intend to fly to Japan in August with only a one way ticket. When applying for my visa it simply stated that I need either a round-about ticket and $3500 (NZ) or b) no ticket (yet) and $5000. Is it more to do with each countries embassys? As a New Zealander I'm allegable for a year long working holiday visa (I assume most people are), does this make a difference?

I don't see why it should be a problem as long as you get a visa..right?

Time shall tell I guess.

seklarwia · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:03 am Post subject:

Leith · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

Thanks heaps seklarwia,

That info will allow me to sleep a lot easier tonight!

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

SweetTea · Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 10

I guess it does seem suspicious when people with no working visa show up with two or three large suitcases (like they're immigrating) and a one-way ticket... I've taken the Beetle before. It's fun! I wonder if they'll let me get away with that...

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:58 am Post subject:

I came over on a one-way ticket with a large suitcase and one carry-on. Wasn't questioned at all. They did ask me where I was going to be visiting and I gave 'em the information of where I was headed. I also had to give an amount of how much money I was carrying on me.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

And you arrived on a tourist permit? Where did you fly out of? The ground crew didn't check your passport at all when you flew out?

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:52 am Post subject:

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

What I mean is, did you have a job and COE lined up before you came to Japan, or did you land as an ordinary tourist? That's the crucial distinction here. If you had a COE, it's no problem to come over on a one-way ticket.

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:55 am Post subject:

Oh, I feel foolish for misunderstanding then. Yeah, I had a CoE.

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:07 am Post subject:

I came on a tourist visa bc my work visa wasn't yet ready and they kept me in immigration for about an hour before letting me clear. I wouldn't do it