Korean Job Discussion Forums

Positive Realist · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Location: Somewhere Damn Azz Cold

I was wondering if anyone knew if I would run into any problems using one way tickets to leave and re-enter Korea? The cheapest I've seen a round-trip ticket home (Toronto) is $2000.00 but I can fly one way in and one way out for $750 each way. Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Well, you can always leave on a one-way ticket. As well, I have never had a problem entering on a one-way ticket, even as a tourist.

seoulsucker · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject:

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

One way in with an E2 visa should be no problem at all... That is what I did and when my answer to the "why a one way ticket" was working for a year with E2 visa - he looked at the visa and let me through with no problems.

I would expect that coming into Korea on a one way ticket on a tourist visa could potentially be a problem ... If for some reason they think you are at risk of not leaving when you should. I know that it can definitely be a potential problem in several other countries.

Icicle

Matt_22 · Joined: 22 Nov 2006

I tried to fly into Korea one-way on a tourist visa, but no travel agents would even sell me a ticket without actual proof that I was leaving. I had to buy a refundable ticket to L.A. in order to get around this.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I got a refundable ticket from Korean Air. They charge a fee of $30 US to refund it, but it was worth it in the chance I had trouble at the airport. I didn't.

The only trouble I had was with Delta. They said on the phone I couldn't buy a oneway ticket unless I was military. The idiotic worker wouldn't budge when I said I had a ticket to Japan afterwards. I also questioned her about "what if I had a one year visa in hand?" It didn't matter, so I went on the Internet and bought my oneway ticket there with no hassle.

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

I've flown into Korea on a one-way ticket several times, but each time, the agent at the check-in counter wanted to see my visa before they'd give me a bording pass. One of them told me that if I didn't have a visa, they wouldn't allow me to fly without a return ticket.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

last goodbye · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

BUy another one way ticket to a cheap place like china for a week or 2 after you return to Korea.. then cash it in when you return... may lose 20K for cancelling..... but it'll work.....I have done it...and I was asked to see another ticket proving I was leaving Korea...

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I've said this on Dave's several times in the past:

I have entered Korea on tourist visa numerous times WITHOUT an outbound ticket (in fact I have never entered WITH an outbound ticket), and never once had any problem. Maybe it helps to be Canadian and get that 6 month deal.

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

My last trip into Korea on a tourist visa, the ticket counter on both legs of my flight asked to see my return or ongoing ticket. I gave them a flight to Japan I had reserved but not paid for.

(i.e., I was not allowed to get on a domestic flight with a connection to the international flight to Korea without proof of onward travel. 'cause, you know, I might be a burden to the people of San Francisco if I got stuck there without a job. Wink

)

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

I came over on a one way ticket at the beginning of April and nobody said a word here. Literally, no words. The immigration lady at the airport took my passport, stamped it with a tourist visa, and sent me on my way without speaking at all.

When I checked into my first flight to get here and got all my boarding passes the ticket lady did ask why I was going. I said to teach for a year and that I was going to enter on a tourist visa and that was the extent of any questions.

Based on my experience I would have to say that it is not a problem.

halifax · Joined: 25 Nov 2007

I've always entered on a one-way ticket, and never had issues. This may have been due to possessing an E-2 visa at the time.

This time around I may be travelling without the E-2 (not enought time, and will have to do a visa run). I wonder how this will affect the smoothness of the operation. I will be flying with Korean Air from JFK to Seoul.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

I've flown from the U.S. to Korea on one-way tickets several times. No problems at all.

MarionG · Joined: 14 Sep 2006

Whether you have a problem or not depends in part on what you look like and how you behave...i.e. if you look like the Korean conception of a youthful druggie, or like a backpacker, you're more likely to be questioned.