Job Discussion Forums

tokyobound · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

I realise that this question has probably already being answered, but I've done a search and haven't found anything (hopeless).

I'm entering Beijing late March, and organized a tourist Visa and flight through my travel agency and booked through Malaysian Airlines.

I bought a one way ticket, either because I wasn't sure where I when I was going to leave, and whether I may try and find ways to extend my visa and maybe get work later.

I didn't think anything of it, and the visa place gave me my visa despite a one way ticket, and travel agency didn't say anything either.

I spoke to someone recently who said that you need a return ticket on a tourist visa or you want be allowed to fly.

I spoke to several other people who said they always come in on tourist visas, and have no problems.

Should I be worried entering China on a tourist Visa? I know that regulations say you need one, but I've been lead to believe China is one place you will be able to get in on that kind of visa?

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

No................end of thread.

menso35 · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 51

The times I have been to China, the airline would not even make a one way reservation. Sometimes you can do it through Expedia. Your problem will not be with customs and immigration in China but rather with the person at the ticket counter when you check in. What I have done on several occasions is buy a fully refundable outbound ticket to Guam or even back home to the states. Once I got there I just canceled it and got a refund.

By the way, I have never been asked to provide proof of onward travel by immigration in any country I have ever visited. In fact, they never ask me anything. When I travel I always dress business casual and am a pretty clean cut, clean shaved guy so I definitely think that helps as opposed to looking like a dirty, smelly hippy with dreadlocks.

Again, immigration is not going to be a problem but rather checking in at the airport when getting on a plane bound for the PRC.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I recently came through on a one way ticket. And yes, I did get stopped at the airline ticket counter. They wanted to see my outbound ticket. I gave them a song and dance story about picking up my work papers and then I would be leaving. (This was actually true) They made me sign a form absolving them of any responsibility for my departure from China.

Basically you will get stopped at the ticket counter. If you want to run the risk of being told to buy a ticket at the airport or finding a friendly airline rep. who will let you through, just go to the airport. However, I would not recommend this. Buy the refundable ticket.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:55 am Post subject:

The answer is it depends on the airlines policy.

The only reason they care is if they let you fly on a one-way ticket and for whatever reason the Chinese don't let you in then the airline MUST return you to your origin at THEIR expense. That's why they care. No other reason.

I have entered China many times on a one-way and never had a problem...

lf_aristotle69 · Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 546 Location: HangZhou, China

ispeakgoodenglish · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

As Jeff said it is the airlines policy. It also varies from place to place and how competent the airline worker is. Usually its something like this.

Z visa, full right to enter on a one way ticket.

F visa, return ticket is usually required. If you are coming for business then presumably you are going home/elsewhere in the near future.

L visa, return ticket as you are supposed to be on holiday.

This is not a China only thing. If you travel outside your own country then most of the time you will need a return ticket.