Korean Job Discussion Forums

MixtecaMike · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 5:31 am Post subject:

I bought an onward ticket online as I was flying from Mexico with no visa, the cheapest ticket was PUS-FUK for about US$150, but they didn't do e-tickets, so I got a PUS-KIX (or ICN-KIX, can't remember) for $249. I think it was refunded, I'm not sure cause it was bought on a friend's card and he had to claim the refund.

Anyway, I was never asked for the onward ticket when boarding in LAX, in Mexico I had the onward ticket from the US, which was all they wanted. The peace-of-mind that I wasn't going to get refused entry was probably worth the $250, especially as most of that was refundable.

It's an onward ticket, nt a return ticket they want, just buy the cheapest you can.

bosintang · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:10 am Post subject:

I think it's ok to fly in on a one-way flight. I flew from Bangkok to Seoul with no onward ticket and no visa, with no problems, and I know personally of several people who have done visa runs to Japan under the same circumstances.

The two main things are: 1) Have a coherent story why you don't have a return ticket and 2) Make sure you have enough cash on you to either prove that you can afford one and 3) if they make you buy an onward ticket, buy a 6-month or 1-year open-ended REFUNDABLE ticket.

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

i had no idea that this was a problem! if you have an e-ticket for the ferry, would that be ok do you think?

trevorcollins · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Good posting and clears up some misconceptions on the subject which is asked a lot.

Should be made a sticky.

In my expeiences it varies on the Airline.
It seems in Asia when flying with Asian airlines I've never been asked.

However in Australia (especially Qantas, even if it is a different airline but the are using Qantas staff at check-in they are VERY particular) and Japan they can be a little more of a problem.

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Just to add one more thing. If there is a trend that I notice, is that the well-travelled routes into the country have less issues with one-way tickets than the less-travelled routes. For example, there are a huge amount of tourist visa teachers that go to Fukuoka every 3-6 months and come straight back on the next boat, with no onward tickets. I've done it 4 times myself, when I wasn't on contracts, plus I know a good chunk of tourist visa teachers in the Daegu-Busan area who do visa runs regularly. There has not been one incident that has ever been mentioned from them about having to provide proof of onward travel, nor showing anything other than the passport and arrival card. I've never heard of any issue concerning the airlines going to Korea from Japan, but as the vast majority of traffic that I personally know of, usually goes thru the Beetle to Fukuoka, I can back that entry point up more accurately, than the flights.

Likewise, with the hubs that make regular flights to Korea. LAX, Manila, Beijing, Vancouver, etc...you can see a relaxed enforcement. The hubs that have infrequent volume going to Korea, you might expect some people going by the book.

As people mentioned previously, it's an immigration policy. Therefore, you'd expect to be less concerned about the airlines, than immigration. But as the execution of Korean policy frequently tends to go, what's on paper is not always practiced. As a matter of fact, I can't ever recall a post on the old or new board here of someone being flagged at immigration, after arrival, and being sent back. If it was prevalent or even once and while, you'd hear about it. Either on here or thru offline word-of-mouth. Instead, you just hear about the occassional headaches at airline check-in desks. I'd build your focus around the airline encounter, because if somethings going to happen, it'll happen there.