Onward and return ticket rules
Some countries require visitors to show they'll leave, with a return or onward ticket. Airlines check this at check-in, because they have to fly you back at their own cost if you're refused entry.
Who asks for it
Rules differ by destination and nationality, and so does enforcement. Countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Latin America are common examples. The authoritative source is the destination's immigration website. Airlines also check entry rules through their own systems, such as IATA Timatic.
Legitimate ways to meet the rule
- Book your real exit. A bus, train, ferry, or flight out that you'll actually take. Budget bus and ferry tickets across a land or sea border are often cheap.
- Buy a refundable ticket and cancel it after entry, according to its fare rules.
- Use a free cancellation window where one applies. See our 24-hour hold guide.
What not to do
Don't show an invented ticket or booking code to an airline agent or border officer. If it's discovered, you could be denied boarding or refused entry, and it may be recorded against you on future trips.