Job Discussion Forums

[bigjoe]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to move to Japan next year, and instead of buying a roundtrip ticket, I was thinking about buying a one-way one. I'm American, and I don't have a work visa, but I'm hoping to convert my tourist visa to a work visa when I'm there.

Is it possible to go to Japan on a one-way ticket with a tourist visa?

Of course, I'll be applying for ESL jobs in Japan from Hawaii before I move, and the best situation I'm hoping for is having a work visa in hand before I leave. But if I don't have one in hand, I'm going to go to Japan and look for a job while I'm over there (on a tourist visa). I'm tentatively shooting for September 2016. If I don't have a work visa in hand by then, I'm hitting the road.

[jesso92]

Hey there,

First of all, take whatever I say with a grain of salt, because I have never been to Japan so I got no experience. But I've done plenty of research, since I too, want to get an ESL job in Japan.

So, I have heard and read, that Immigration requires you to have a round trip ticket in hand, other wise they'll think your intentions are to over stay your tourist visa, or to find work. Neither of which they want to hear, nor deal with.

I think you are not supposed to go to Japan on a tourist visa with the intentions of finding work. And again, if you only got a one way ticket there, they will assume that you will become a problem for the country. What if you dont find a job? What if you run out of money, and can't get back home? Then you just become a burden for Japan.

You know, its not a guarantee, that you will find a company that will sponsor you just because you are an American trying to teach English. Its very likely I would say, if you apply yourself. But not a guarantee.

So yea, I'd love to hear what other people have to say, because I've wondered this myself, and I've considered that possibility for my own situation. Gotta save that cash.

[dove]

I have heard of people buying a ferry ticket to Korea and having the printed-out ticket as proof that they intend to leave the country. I don't know if it works, but I've heard of it. I also don't know if you can cancel the ferry ticket once in Japan.

What's the price difference between one way and round trip tickets to Japan?

[Harp]

Essentially, bigjoe, the answer is no.

You will probably not even be allowed to board your flight in the US as the airline would have to bear the cost of flying you back to the US after you were refused entry into Japan, something the airline will not want to do, so they would most likely make you buy a return ticket at the check-in desk. I know because I had this experience in 1996 at Heathrow, London (thank you, Aeroflot...).

There are apocryphal stories of someone who knows a guy whose brother did it - perhaps some of these are true, but I would take them with a giant pinch of salt.

And anyway most return tickets are cheaper than one-way flights these days as the airline doesn't have to worry about selling the seat on the way back. Just be flexible about your outbound date and wait to get the cheapest deal available.

[cat mother]

You can't.

Harp is correct.
If you want to try it, do so at your own risk.

2 years ago ANA refused to let me even check in when I was returning to Japan on a one way ticket from Hong Kong.
The funny part is that I'm actually a permanent resident but lost my residence card. As there was nothing in my passport to prove that I was a PR holder, ANA simply refused to check me in for my flight.
To make it worse, it was on New Year's Day and nearly impossible to reach any government office to verify my residence status. I showed the airline people my Japanese driver's license, work ID and my insurance card. They couldn't care less.

I had no choice but to buy a Peach Aviation ticket out of Japan to have something to show ANA so they would let me fly back. I missed my original flight and threw a hissy fit to be rebooked on a later one that day.

[bigjoe]

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

I will buy a roundtrip ticket. Based on your experiences and what you all said, it's the safest bet.

Since US visitors are allowed to stay no longer than 90 days, I will buy a return ticket that is as close to the limit as possible, e.g. arrive in Japan on September 8 and leave Japan on December 5.

Is it still legal to change visa status when I'm in Japan, from tourist visa to work visa? If I don't have a work visa before I leave the US, I'll have to go down that route.

[Pitarou]

I believe that it is possible to enter without a ticket for onwards travel, but don't count on it. The advice from Japan's Foreign Ministry is vague and inconsistent, so airlines tend to be conservative and demand that you show some kind of travel ticket for onwards travel before they'll let you aboard.

One trick I've heard of is to buy a Hakata, Japan -> Busan, South Korea ferry ticket on-line, and then cancel it once you've landed for a near-full refund. I can't promise it will still work.

But whatever you do, DON'T OVERSTAY YOUR VISA. The Immigration Agency has a zero tolerance policy, and Japan's famous hospitality does not extend to rule breakers. Be absolutely sure you have the necessary funds to leave the country if things don't work out.

[jimpellow]

Sorry I was late on this. I just started taking an interest in the Japan forum.

If you are good at ticket sleuthing, you can get a one way much cheaper than a round trip. Then you want to use your great search engine skills to find the sites that will generate a fake online ticket for your onward travel requirement.

I always use a certain free one. I crumple it up a bit, put a couple hotels on it for the destination country, and highlight key information. I always use a small foreign airline that will be very hard for them to check with. (Who cares about the cost - it's fake!) When asked, I act a little bit surprised and tell the agent or immigration official that I think I have it in my computer bag.

There are a couple paid versions that will actually purchase you a valid ticket and then refund it through their company for about 10 to 20 dollars a shot.

I stick with the free option and it has always worked. I have lived and travelled around the world a lot the last decade, particularly in regions where this policy is prevalent - Asia and Latin Amer