Korean Job Discussion Forums

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

My recruiter has just ordered me a one way ticket to Incheon Airport, a very nice flight indeed!

The problem is: it is a one way ticket with Air Canada.

According to an ex-aircanada manager, and a current telephone representative, a return ticket or onward ticket is required in order for air canada to allow me to board the flight. (The reason being is that the airline gets fined should Korea not allow me into the country and the airline is responsible for bringing me home.)

I called the travel agent here in Canada, and the Korean woman said "no no, it doesn't matter. VISA good enough."

Is this basically a case of rolling the dice and seeing if Air Canada follows protocol? Seeing if South Korea immigration follows protocol too?

The problem is: I am the one stuck should something go wrong.

I have requested a return ticket from my recruiter.

Advice needed...

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

If you already have your E-2 visa in your passport then there will be no problems at all with a one-way ticket. If you don't have your E-2 visa however, then yes, you will need an on going ticket or a return ticket for the reason that you have already stated.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

So have I just had the unfortunate luck to run into two Air Canada employees who don't know what they are talking about?

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

If you don't have your E2 visa you can have the recruiter reserve a ferry ticket to Japan and if you show the details to the airline desk that should be good enough.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

What a stupid recruiter. Many airlines won't let you board, as a TOURIST, without a return ticket. If you have your E2, already, it's all good. If not, you may want to find a better recruiter. This recruiter MAY be honest Rolling Eyes

, but is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

FXAdam · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul-si, ROK

I flew over on an Air Canada 1-way ticket at the beginign of April with no problems.

The lady at the check-in counter just asked me why I was going. I said to teach English. She said don't you need a visa? I said I am going to enter on a tourist visa and get that straightened out once I get there. She gave me my boarding pass and here I am.

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

You are flying Air Canada! You poor guy/girl its a lousy airline

Sad

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I flew Air Canada with a one-way ticket and never had any problems. I had an E-2 Visa in my passport already though.

If you have a long domestic flight first (ie. Ottawa-Vancouver), bring some money for some food. Air Canada is cheap these days and will only feed you if you pay $5 for a microwave pizza. I hate Air Canada...they're one of the worst airlines I've ever been on.

poet13 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject:

Air Canada? Laughing

They've never even met you, and they hate you already. Laughing

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I had a teacher come in with a one way from Winnipeg. He had an E2 visa, but the dumba$$es at Air Canada wouldn't let him on without a ticket out. He bought a return refundable ticket.

Then I hired his friend from Winnipeg, and not wanting to go through the same hassle, I called Air Canada in Seoul, and had them put a note on her flight status that no exiting ticket was necessary. Have your recruiter call Air Canada here, and tell them to put a little note on the reservation in the computer. This is of course if you have your E2 visa. Then you should have no problems.

The airline just doesn't want to get fined.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I should have mentioned that I will have my E2 Visa before I leave. According to a contact I have with Air Canada, the official "by the book" policy is to require all Visa holders to show proof that they have a return ticket back to Canada or an onward ticket within 30 days of entering Korea. This prevents Air Canada from being fined should Korea refuse entry to one of their passengers.

Obviously Air Canada's ticket agents don't follow the same policies, so in effect, travelling with a one way ticket is a little like rolling the dice. Be prepared to purchase a refundable return ticket.

Unfortunately I don't have the cash to do that (or credit card) so this is why I want to make sure I don't have a problem. I have requested my recruiter contact Air Canada and have a note put on the system to let me through. Thanks for that suggestion....

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

The recruiter really should have been prepared for this kind of problem. It DOES happen all of the time.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

If you have an E2, you don't need a round-trip ticket by Korean Immigration, but Air Canada tends to be misinformed and paranoid on this issue.

They once freaked out on me when leaving Korea on a C-3. They couldn't understand how an American had been in Korea for over 30 days.

Since it took them 52 hours to get me home, I won't be flying with them again.