Job Discussion Forums

Sonja23 · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 15

Hello.. well, this post is admittedly not 100% related to teaching, but I hope you guys might be able to help me out.

I'm planning on doing my PhD in Japan, but will not find out if I get accepted by the university until early July. In any case, I would have to attend the interview in late June, and hence would already be in Japan. Even if I don't get accepted, I would like to move to Japan, and instead plan try to find a teaching job (I'm not sure how easy it is, but I have experience and hope it's possible to find a job once there!).

I plan on travelling to Japan on a one-way ticket from Singapore. This might be a little problematic to explain... I'm living in Norway at the moment, and am going to Singapore on a one-way ticket (I'm not sure if this would pose problems either, but that's for another board). So, since I plan on settling down in Japan (for a while at least), I would just like to buy a one-way ticket there. My thinking is also that getting a return ticket might prove problematic with Singapore immigration...

So my question is basically the above: is it a problem to go to Japan with a one-way ticket?

Sorry if it's not totally relevant. I tried doing a search but the search function doesn't seem to be working...

Many thanks for your help!

(I have a Norwegian passport - probably important to know)

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

This comes up every so often. Theoretically a Japan Immigration requirement for a tourist permit is that you have proof of onward travel. This is unlikely to come up when you arrive in Japan unless you attract their attention in some other way, but depending where you fly out of, the airline staff may refuse to let your board.

In some countries (I have heard of this happening in the US and Australia and experienced it myself in NZ- they checked carefully but were happy when they saw I have a work visa) the check-in staff will check your passport and if you do not have a visa that allows you to enter Japan on a one-way ticket they will not even allow you to check in.

Some people have been able to talk them around by showing proof of enough funds for an onward ticket, but I recently read about someone who was forced to buy a separate return ticket so that he could get on the plane.

I don't know if ground staff in Singapore will also follow that rule to the letter, but is it something you want to risk?

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:31 am Post subject:

I know that from the UK, because UK citizens can stay as tourists without a visa for up to 6 months (you get stamped for 3 months then can extend your stay for 3 months if you contact the Japanese authorities) you can travel on a one way ticket. But you need to prove you have sufficient funds for an onward journey plus enough to support yourself for up to 6 months.

I know that similar rules apply for many EU citizens, but not all. And since you are coming from Singapore, there could be more complications. Perhaps you should check with your local embassy.

Angelfish · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

yes to my mind, an onward ticket would be necessary
???
but I could be wrong, I suggest to ask the J immigration well before you leave

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Since I, myself, have not had to worry about visa issues for almost two decades, please forgive me if this next suggestion isn't viable. But, even though you can wait until you enter Japan to request a standard tourist visa, cannot you still go to the Japanese embassy in Oslo, and apply for an old fashioned "tourist visa" in advance of your trip? If you can, it might help your case when trying to depart from Singapore.

Get the tourist visa. Then, when in Singapore, go to the check-in counter of the airline you plan to use well before the day you plan to depart. See if you can ask around with the staff and get an idea what their policy is. You can still always buy an ongoing ticket if you're not encouraged by what you hear.

seklarwia · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Since the embassy website says that one-way ticket travel shouldn't be a problem if you meet the necessary criteria, the issues some of you have had seem more to do with airline policy than customs policy. If that's the case, can't you just check with each of the airlines in advance to find out what they allow?

EDIT: Wait... I seemed to forget that you were Norwegian in which case you can only enter for 3 months without a visa. Also forgot the whole flying from Singapore, so you should check with the embassy and airlines.

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Or, how about trying some old fashioned baksheesh??? Razz

seklarwia · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

Don't know about that... The monetary gift tactic could work on the check in staff, but that's no help if Japanese customs decides to deport you on the other end Laughing

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Everyone has their "price."
This could be fun... Mr. Green

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:09 am Post subject:

And that price could be a hell of a lot more than simply buying a second single journey ticket Shocked

In fact, if the checking with the embassy/airline advance is a no go, just go with the buying an onward ticket then getting the refund. Who knows, maybe he'll not find a job and have to use that ticket for real. *Touches wood* I'm no trying to jinx anyone afterall Smile

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

"Maybe he'll not find a job..."
Or "she." I'm guessing Sonja is a she. But in all seriousness, no, I would never counsel actually trying to bribe anyone at immigration. It would be good for a couple of laughs, and then bad for a couple of years. At least. Crying or Very sad

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

I think the problem isn't getting into Japan, but actually getting on the plane, as others have mentioned. I don't know about anywhere else, but in Canada my passport is always carefully looked at and they search for my visa allowing me to live in Japan before they let me in the plane. The same think happened to me in the UK, so your problem may very well start in Norway and if the airline officials let you on the plane to go to Singapore. If that works, the next problem will be in the check-in staff in Singapore let you on the plane. Once you are on the plan to Japan, there is very unlikely to be a problem. I've never had to show a return ticket upon entering in to Japan, even when I used to come here as a visitor.

Good luck.

Sonja23 · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 15

Hey, thanks for the advice, everyone. (for the curious, I am indeed a 'she')

I actually sort-of have dual-citizenship (Singapore-Norway - sort of because it's not technically legal), so worse come to worst I'm planning on making use of that. I know as well that in Canada and the States they always check to make sure you have a return ticket, but I'm not sure about Norway. Well we'll see...

The refundable one-way ticket out sounds like a good idea. I might try that out. I haven't bought the one-way ticket to Japan yet so I still have time to contemplate it.