Embarking on a one-way journey? Learn about the vital need for onward travel proof, airline requirements, and diverse methods to secure it hassle-free. From refundable tickets to budget airline options, find the perfect solution for your next adventure.

Is Your Family Wanting to Travel Internationally On a One-Way Flight? or Travel With Space A?

We’re frequent travelers with our family, kids included. When visiting other countries, especially on a one-way flight with tourist visas, immigration officers might ask for proof of departure, typically in the form of a return ticket.

Airlines are responsible for ensuring travelers have onward tickets. For instance, when we flew from Singapore to Bali without one, we were informed by a Garuda airline employee that we needed to get one before checking in.

However, with Space A, you don’t receive an onward ticket or any ticket until you’re approved through the roll call process. I’ll delve into how to handle this in more detail in the following sections.

What is Onward Travel and What is Proof?

Onward travel reminds me of the old catchphrase “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” It means that after your allowed time in a new country, you must return to your home country or move on to the next one.

This rule is enforced by most immigration authorities worldwide. They often rely on the transportation industry to ensure compliance, refusing boarding to those who can’t show onward travel proof.

When submitting your visa application for a tourist visa, immigration checks ensure you’re not intending to permanently settle in the visited country. Airlines and transportation services are crucial in thwarting illegal immigration in many nations.

You can travel with just a one-way ticket to your destination country. However, immigration may require proof of your intention to leave, such as an official confirmation of a return ticket. Fulfilling this requirement will ensure a smooth entry process.

What Are The Airline Flying Requirements?

Airlines are tasked with ensuring passengers have an onward ticket. For instance, during our trip from Singapore to Bali, we were informed by a Garuda airline employee that we needed an onward ticket before checking in. This requirement came as a surprise since it was our first time encountering proof of onward travel.

Imagine you’re allowed to enter the airport and board the flight with a one-way ticket. However, upon arriving at your destination country, immigration denies you entry. In such a scenario, the airlines are responsible for covering the cost of your return plane ticket to your departure point, and fines are likely to be imposed. This underscores the importance of having proof of onward travel before reaching the airport.

If, like us, you wait until the last minute, the extra cost can come as quite a surprise.

How Do You Get Proof of an Onward Ticket or Onward Travel?

You will need to Purchase a Refundable Ticket

Standing at the Garuda counter in Singapore, we felt disheartened as the attendant insisted on an outbound flight from Bali before checking us in. To resolve this, we booked a return ticket with Garuda, as we intended to return to Singapore regardless.

We quickly booked a refundable ticket through the airline website, providing us with proof of onward travel plans. With this in hand, we returned to the counter and were able to check in, proceeding to drop off our checked luggage.

Paying For Onward Ticket Services

Three major companies offer onward flight ticket services, providing flight reservations primarily for visa applications. The companies are OneWayFly, Onward Ticket, and DummyTicket247.

These companies ensure that flight reservations include a PNR code linked to your name, accessible for verification on apps like CheckMyTrip or the airline’s website. The Passenger Name Record (PNR) code is unique, containing your flight booking details, and is essential for any compensation claims.

The cost varies, typically ranging from $12 to $20 dollars. These services claim to provide confirmation within hours, although we haven’t personally used them.

Use Your Airline Miles

If you travel frequently, you might have accumulated a substantial amount of air miles, especially with programs like SkyTeam. You can utilize these air miles to book onward flights as proof for your onward ticket. This will satisfy immigration officials, making everything smooth sailing.

It’s advisable to book a return flight within the validity period of your tourist visa. This way, if asked, everything appears in order. After clearing immigration and customs, you can proceed to cancel the flight if needed.

Purchase A Cheap Ticket On A Budget Airline

If you’ve been following us, you’ll know we don’t often opt for budget airlines because they don’t offer much value for a family of four. However, we’ve met digital nomads who swear by them for cheaper travel.

You can also make a flight reservation or buy a one-way ticket on budget airlines, which can be a cost-effective option. Some people refer to this as a throwaway ticket.

If you’re considering this method, here are some key points to keep in mind:

• This strategy is particularly effective in Southeast Asia and Latin America due to the affordability of flights, typically ranging from $100 to $150 USD.
• Choosing airports such as Kuala Lumpur or Chiang Mai, Thailand, is advantageous because they offer numerous flights and serve as major hubs for tourists.
• In our experience, direct flights from your current location to the next destination can sometimes be cheaper, especially in Southeast Asia.

Cross-Border Private Car Hire

We were thrilled with Sgmytravel.com for our onward travel to Legoland because they provided great service crossing the land borders into Malaysia.

We had hotel bookings confirmed as we entered the arrival airport in Singapore. Make sure you fill out the SGAC before your arrival, submissions are allowed up to three days in advance. The form requires various details, but for onward travel, focus on “Next City/Port of Disembarkation After Singapore” and “Date of Departure.”

While we’ve never been asked to prove onward travel from Singapore, if questioned, you can mention land travel to Malaysia via private car transport with Sgmytravel. Be prepared to show confirmation, as no actual ticket is provided.

Bus Ticket Or Train Ticket?

When traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, we’ve relied on a bus ticket for onward travel, which has successfully satisfied the authorities in Asia. You can find bus tickets on Klook for this route, priced around $18-$40 USD, considerably cheaper than airfare. Payment via your PayPal account is accepted.

In various parts of the world, a train ticket serves as a viable option for onward travel. In Europe, for example, you can obtain a ticket from Paris to the United Kingdom, as well as to other countries like Poland and Croatia, fulfilling the onward travel requirement out of the Schengen zone.

We Use The Chase Travel Portal

Our preferred method involves using the Chase Travel Portal to book flights to our next destination with an airline. We favor this approach because we hold the Chase Sapphire credit card, which offers various benefits and protections.

In addition to offering numerous protections, insurance, and the option to use points for booking trips, the Chase Sapphire credit card allows for free cancellation within 24 hours of booking. We rely on this feature for our onward travel needs. Additionally, you can combine points from both your debit card and credit card(s) for a higher point yield.

Space-A and Onward Tickets

As you may be aware, we frequently utilize Space-A travel. Over the past 1.5 years, we’ve taken 11 Space-A flights departing from the United States. While Space-A travel has its advantages and disadvantages, one notable perk is that we’ve never been required to provide proof of an exit ticket.

You can also receive manifesting to another destination since numerous Space-A flights include multiple stops. You may see “thru load pax” on the 72-hour schedule. This documentation can serve as proof for immigration authorities if needed.

When traveling to a destination through Space-A, each location we’ve visited had its own immigration and customs, usually situated within the terminal. At times, like in Yokota, it’s conveniently located just outside the Air Base entrance, adding to the perks.

Lastly, Can You Just Make A Fake One?

While it’s possible to create fake tickets that appear authentic, I strongly advise against it. If government officials investigate and discover the deception, serious consequences could ensue.

Fabricating tickets involves lying to government officials and could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Overall, it’s not a prudent course of action.

What Countries Require Proof Of An Onward Ticket?

Many different countries mandate proof of onward travel, making it crucial to research these requirements before your trip to avoid stress and ensure a smooth journey.

I recommend visiting the government website of the country you plan to visit and review their specific guidelines on onward travel and tourist visa requirements. For instance, the United Kingdom’s policy on onward travel proof may not be stringent. You can find detailed rules and regulations on their official website.

We were granted entry to the United Kingdom, anticipating our return to the United States via Space A from Mildenhall. The immigration officer noted our entry through Ramstein Air Base in our passports.

We encountered no problems with this approach, but it’s essential to remember that each officer has their own approach. Being polite and respectful has been beneficial in our experience with such situations.

Do You Have an Onward Ticket Story to Tell? 

We’ve been fortunate not to encounter any major issues with onward travel requirements, thanks to the travel gods! If you’ve got a story, share it below. Hopefully, our insights provide peace of mind for your next one-way flight. After all, we live by the motto “No reservations.”