Is it OK for a visitor to come to USA on one-way ticket

T

taurus02

Registered Users (C)
Extremely sorry to bring a non-immigrant issue here. I need some advice.

Is it OK if I book only one-way ticket for my mother who is travelling from Bangalore - Chicago on visitors visa.

The reason I do not want to book return ticket is because I may move out of Chicago within next 2 months and I want to book return ticket from the new place I move to. (Mine is a transferrable job).
 
Originally posted by taurus02
Extremely sorry to bring a non-immigrant issue here. I need some advice.

Is it OK if I book only one-way ticket for my mother who is travelling from Bangalore - Chicago on visitors visa.

The reason I do not want to book return ticket is because I may move out of Chicago within next 2 months and I want to book return ticket from the new place I move to. (Mine is a transferrable job).
Click to expand...

Nobody would advise to do that. But, I guess noone at the immigration checks whether you have a return ticket b4 stamping the passport for 6 months. You can take a risk, but try avoiding it. You never know when the rules change.
 
In the early 90ies I visited the US for the first few times as a tourist and the INS officer at the airport asked me everytime if I have a return ticket and how long my stay would be (I only stayed two weeks each time). Later in 1996 when I came to study in the US (F1 visa) the travel agent asked if I have a visa, because it could be a problem to travel without a return ticket (they may send you home on the next flight).
 
Buy 2 way ticket

I've been in and out of the country 4 times as a visior and all of the time, i'm asked for my ticket back home. that might be dependen on the IO in the POE though. But it's better to be sure. Also, you can always change your ticket anytime, there might be some fees but I'm sure it's nothing compared to whatever hassle you might have if the IO will ask you for the return ticket.
 
You need to buy two oneway tickets...The return ticket would cost you around $1000 and you can get refund with $75 penalty..
So the oneway ticket restricted will cost you around $700 and you can cancel return ticket with fee and get $925 back...I did this for my parents and we did not get into problems...So i will buy return ticket when they go back and buy resticted ticket for around same $600-700 price..
 
Hey My Mom and Dad were here 4 times, every time they were in US, INS checked their Return Ticket. My best advice to you have her return ticket with her, Otherwise they may refuse her entry in USA at port of entry
 
I think the travel agent would never sell one way ticket on tourist visa. You ought to buy two way ticket. Also buy open ticket where you can change place and time later.
 
Thank you for your responses

I will certainly book a return ticket. Whoever I talked to strongly opposed coming here as a visitor without return ticket. it makes sense. Thank you friends.

My mother got only 6 months visa. Visa validity is from 13-Jan-2003 to 12-Jul-2003. She is planning to travel to USA on 15-Mar-2003. Is the Visa officer at Port of Entry allowed her to grant 6 Months stay in USA (on her i-94) ? Or he can grant her stay only till visa expiry date i.e 12-Jul-2003 no matter what ?

I am hearing conflicting views on this. Some say Visa officer at POE can grant upto 6 months stay in USA even if visitors visa expiring by then. Some say leaglly he is not allowed to do so i.e if visa validity is less than 6 months he has to grant stay only till visa expiry date. I appreciate views of any Gurus who are xperienced in this matter.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
..it depends...

The number of days she can legally be here is indicated on the I-94 validity stamp.
Chances are she will probably get 6 months.

The visa dates in the passport just tells one that he/she can enter the US within that time frame. If it's a muiltple entry then one can go out of the US and come back without having to go for another visa during that time frame.

Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top