is onward travel worth it

What is Proof of Onward Travel? My Horror Story & How to Avoid Disaster

Last Updated: April 13, 2021

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Proof of onward travel is one of the most important yet under-discussed parts of trip planning and preparation. In this article, I’ll talk about what proof of onward travel is, how to prove it, and my personal experience *almost* getting denied boarding due to a lack of it.

Have you ever been barred from boarding a plane?

As in, ticket in hand, luggage in tow, Pinterest boards filled… but denied entry at the very last second?

The answer for me is almost. A very very close almost.

And because that sense of panic (and profuse sweating) is something I’d never wish on anybody, I’m here today with a mildly serious post about a travel mistake many of you might make, and what you can do to prevent it.

TL;DR – If the phrase “proof of onward travel” means nothing to you, you need to keep reading.

If you want a full recount of my experience ‘lawyering’ my way onto a flight to Germany , you can scroll to the bottom of the post, but for now – here are the important nuggets of info you need to know.

Save this guide to Proof of Onward Travel for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

What is proof of onward travel?

Proof of onward travel (often referred to as proof of returning travel or proof of outgoing travel) is basically proof that you will be leaving the country you’re temporarily travelling to. In other words, you won’t be overstaying illegally.

Why do airlines and immigration authorities require proof of onward travel?

Simply put: many countries want proof that you won’t be staying longer than you’re allowed.

For the most part, it is a safeguard against illegal immigration, but we travelers are required to provide proof of onward travel too if we’re asked to.

For most of us, this proof usually comes in the form of a return ticket (i.e. yes, I’m going home on this day!) but for digital nomads, spontaneous backpackers, and one way ticketers, it’s not as easy to prove that you will, in fact, GTFO.

So, while one way tickets sound awfully romantic (the possibilities! The self actualization!), sadly, these indulgent fantasies couldn’t carry any LESS weight to border police and airline employees.

Can you imagine entering a new country with a one way ticket, and just being like “Yeah don’t worry… I’m not here to stay illegally. It’s just an Eat Pray Love sorta situation.”

You’d probably be home in time for supper.

NOTE: In most cases, proof of onward travel can either be proof of return travel (e.g. a ticket showing you are going home) or proof of outgoing travel (e.g. you are leaving that destination for another). Usually, they don’t care if you are going home after – their main priority is ensuring you will leave that specific destination before you legal allowance runs out.

Which Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

You’re not going to like this answer…

While not all countries have a legal requirement that you provide proof of an onward ticket, you should ensure you have some kind of proof of onward travel no matter where you’re travelling.

Long story short: even if it’s not a legal requirement, airlines are increasingly checking passengers for proof of onward travel before boarding or even at check-in. This is because many countries now put the onus on airlines to perform these checks, otherwise they may have to bear the cost of flying you back.

Practically speaking, this means many airlines will just check you have a return or onward ticket, even if they’re not legally obligated by the destination’s laws to do so.

Some budget airlines in Europe like RyanAir, Wizz Air and easyJet even regularly perform “visa checks” at check in for those with non-EU passports.

Most annoyingly however, proof of onward travel is very randomly enforced, which is why you might have never encountered it as an issue before. In fact, I have friends who (out of hundreds of flights), have only been asked once or twice for an onward ticket.

The likelihood you’ll be checked isn’t high, but trust me – once it happens to you (as it did me), you’ll be scared straight into having the right documents every time… just in case.

I’ve tried to locate an accurate list of countries with a legal requirement for proof of onward travel, but most websites seem to regurgitate the same country names without official sources to back them up.

The UK for example is often cited as a county where proof of onward travel is mandatory, but if you look on the official Gov.uk site here , they phrase it differently.

Rather than saying onward travel is mandatory, they instead say you must prove your status as a “genuine visitor” through one of several methods, one of which is evidence you’ll leave the UK (i.e. an onward travel ticket) OR evidence that “you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit”.

See how it’s not that black and white?

Practically, I can tell you 9/10 times when I’ve spoken to UK passport officials, they’ve asked me how long I plan to stay, and asked for proof of the duration of my stay. Without an onward ticket, I would have likely created a lot more problems for myself.

So, really, research the entry requirements for your destination, but try to ensure you have some kind of proof of onward travel no matter what if you want to be on the safe side. At the end of the day, your travel fate is up to either the airline employee or passport control officer speaking to you, so it’s often better to be safe than sorry.

If you’re curious about which countries explicitly state they require an onward ticket though, here are a few that I’ve found (with links to the official sources where I got the info from):

• Costa Rica: The official Visit Costa Rica website states here that “All non-resident travelers must possess a return ticket or a ticket as proof of when they intend to exit the country, commonly referred to as an outbound exit or onward ticket”
• Indonesia: According to their official immigration law here , under Article 42, it says “Visa application is refused in the event that… the applicant does not have a return ticket or onward ticket to continue their travel to another country”
• New Zealand: As stated in this official government FAQ , those entering New Zealand without a visa “must have valid onward travel arrangements” (with the exception of Australian citizens or permanent residence holders)
• The Philippines: As stated on the official Republic of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration website here , they state that a “return ticket” is part of travel requirements for entry
• USA: While I’ve had trouble locating the exact law requiring proof of onward travel in the USA, as stated on the official Travel.State.Gov website here , “Citizens of VWP countries *  who reside in Mexico, Canada, or a nearby island are generally exempted from the requirement to show onward travel to another country *  when entering the United States” which implies that other countries in the Visa Waiver Program must show proof of onward travel

Let me know in the comments if you can find more countries explicitly stating their requirements for onward tickets (preferably from government sources. I’d love to add to this list!

When will I be asked for proof of onward travel?

Sometimes, they’ll ask for it at Passport Control before you’re allowed into a country (I’ve seen a sobbing girl get refused at the Ireland border for not having it!).

Other times, you’ll be asked for it before you get on the plane (like in my case) or even just when you check in. This is becoming increasingly common because often airlines will have to bear the cost of flying you back if they allow you to board without the right documentation.

Regardless, there isn’t a universal time when you will be asked, and how picky they’ll be will also depend on the employee you’re dealing with.

But hey, it’s all good, friend. Now that you know this complication exists, here’s how you can make sure you never get withheld from boarding your plane!

Options for Providing onward travel Proof

How do you provide proof of an onward ticket? What if you want to travel with no fixed plans or go on a one-way ticket somewhere for an indefinite amount of time?

There are several ways you can provide proof of onward travel, along with workarounds that allow you to maintain flexibility. Here are some options for you re: providing proof of an onward flight/travel.

Option 1: Buy a return or onward ticket in advance

Sorry Spontaneous Sally, but the best way to make sure you don’t run into trouble is to simply have your onward travel sorted.

And beyond just booking it, make sure you have solid PROOF too.

A paper copy of a bus, train or plane ticket would probably be easiest to have and show off, but make sure you have digital copies on your phone too (screenshots, people!) just in case.

If ‘go with the flow’ travel is more your thing, here are some other options:

Option 2: Buy a refundable ticket

There are several airlines that refund tickets within a specified time frame, so you can easily purchase a ticket and then refund it right after.

Be careful with this method though: be sure to read the fine print and Google individual airline policies before you buy.

Some companies might only refund you credit, rather than actual money. Others might have strict rules about when refunds apply or have a stiff cancellation fee.

If you’re not keen to spend loads on a plane ticket (even temporarily), you can look into other transport options like buses.

My friends in Europe, Flixbus offers very cheap rates and they charge only a 1 euro cancellation fee, at which point you get the rest of the money as Flixbus credit.

Not too bad, considering tickets will be less than 60 euros most of the time, which is way cheaper than a plane ticket.

NOTE: While a bus ticket should be sufficient, it really depends on the employee you deal with… For some, a plane ticket might seem more “legitimate”, so keep that in mind!

Option 3: Buy a cheap ticket and plan not to use it

In parts of the world where traveling between countries is cheap, you could always just buy the cheapest ticket you can find, with no intention of using it.

This will likely be your best bet if you’re crunched for time (i.e. about to board the plane).

If you are travelling in Europe, you might want to read my guide to the cheapest ways to travel in Europe for a briefer on the cheapest tickets you can book.

Generally speaking though, if you need cheap proof of onward travel in Europe, there are a lot of low cost airlines like RyanAir and Wizz Air you can look into, or even just bus companies like Flixbus.

Option 4: “Rent” a plane ticket

Lastly, I will say that another final option for providing proof of onward travel is “renting” a plane ticket through a service. Many sites exist for this purpose.

I personally have not used any myself, and have heard enough horror stories of scams to feel good about… NOT recommending any I haven’t used personally.

I really do think any of the options mentioned above are a better option than relying on a service to do it for you.

But, if you’ve used any of these onward ticket rental services, please let me know in the comments as I’d love to hear about your experience.

NOT an Option: Faking Proof of Onward Travel

Okay, so there is plenty of shady advice out there on the Internet telling you how you can ‘fake’ proof by amending emails or even using online ticket generators.

Guys, please use your common sense.

Do you REALLY want to provide fake documents to government officials just to save (in the case of FlyOnward) 10 bucks? It’s not worth it, and is genuinely illegal. Please do not ever do this for the sake of saving a few bucks.

My ‘proof of onward travel’ disaster story

With all that practical information out of the way, here’s how I was almost denied entry on my flight to Germany.

Fresh off a flight from Vancouver to Montreal, I had my passport in hand, a carry-on full of snacks and an all-too-excited grin at the prospect of living in Europe again for a few months.

Everything had been smooth sailing up until this point – my flight landed early and I even had time to buy a bag of delicious MTL bagels.

I was only one flight away from being back in Germany and I swear I could already smell the pretzels.

My carb-loaded buzz was short lived. Instead of a chirpy check of the passport and a syrupy “have a nice flight!”, I was greeted with a stern airline employee who looked me up and down, then demanded to know when I would come back.

I had prepared for this, I thought. With a psychotically large smile, I whipped out the return ticket confirmation on my phone, citing a June return for my university grad ceremony. “ I can haz Germany now? ” I thought through my ‘calm’ smile.

The short answer was no.

“That’s more than 90 days. I can’t let you on the plane,” he said almost as if it was a non-negotiable fact.

Oh dannnnnnnnng.

It was in that moment that I snapped out of my dreamy daze and kicked into lawyer mode.

I knew that I only had 90 days to spend in the Schengen Zone, but it had been my plan all along to simply travel outside of that zone for a few weeks to ensure I never maxed my allowance.

I cleared my throat, and spewed out a (likely less eloquent) version of the following: “I’m aware that as a Canadian citizen I get only 90 days of free travel in the Schengen zone. My plan is to travel around the Balkans for a month to ensure that I don’t exceed those 90 days.”

I had done my homework, or so I thought.

“Well do you have proof you’re leaving the Schengen Zone?”

A million thoughts flooded through my mind as the passenger queue grew behind me.

I hadn’t planned any of my Balkans itinerary because Type A me decided to embrace spontaneity for once.

I told him that no, I hadn’t purchased any tickets yet, but I had a rough plan and if I needed to, I would buy a plane ticket on the spot right there.

He then proceeded to quiz me on my plans.

It seemed like he as all too eager to somehow “catch me”, because as soon as I mentioned Croatia, he exclaimed with a snooty tone “well, Croatia IS in the Schengen Zone.”

Haaaa, I knew right then that he was wrong.

I had read the rules a million times.

Exasperated (but still sassy), I told him to Google it. And he did, as curious passengers stood by like they were watching an intense boxing match.

After a few taps of the phone, the redness in his face said it all.

I was right. I out-Schengen’d the airline guy. A win for obsessive Googlers all over the world!

“Okay, I’ll let you on the plane under one condition… that you UNDERSTAND that you only have 90 days in the Schengen Zone, and overstaying may result in a fine or a ban from the area,” I nodded, sassy again.

I might have flipped my hair a bit, but that could just be my overactive imagination at work.

And so I got on the plane.

Shaking, but on-board, ready to drink a lot of airplane wine. Funnily enough, I was so paranoid I ended up buying a bus ticket to Croatia in case the Munich border police asked me similar questions.

They didn’t ask me a single thing, just smiled, stamped my passport and waved me off on my merry way.

SO, learn from my mistakes! Take this as a cautionary tale that you are not immune to random checks, even if it has never happened to you before. Especially these days, countries are getting more strict and careful about people coming and staying illegally… so at least have a plan on what to do if this situation arises.

Any More Questions About Proof of Onward Travel?

I hope you found this guide to onward travel proof helpful! Now, tell me – have you ever had any “proof of onward travel” horror stories? Let me know in the comments!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

19 thoughts on “What is Proof of Onward Travel? My Horror Story & How to Avoid Disaster”

Okay, I did NOT know about this. Never encountered this problem, but probably because I’ve never bought one-way tickets. Nice to keep in mind for the future.

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

This is one of those things that people don’t find out about until it’s too late haha! Glad you’re aware of it now, Charmaine 🙂

Great advice and poor you with your story! I’ve found that German border patrol officers are the friendliest ever!!! Every time I travel in and out of Germany, their most common question is why I have a German last name (Wagner) but not a German passport! haha…total discrimination, but you don’t fit the profile of someone who is likely to overstay your Schengen visa 😉 They definitely profile for it in Germany! I’ve only ever gotten my passport stamped…no questions asked!

They definitely do profile for SURE! I think I confuse them with my passport because I’ve been in/out of Europe a lot in the past 3 years, so the stamps are mega confusing. Add in a German student visa (from last year) and they’re stumped most of the time haha. I’m SO paranoid about visa things these days, I always get nervous even when I’ve done nothing wrong haha. Better safe than sorry I guess? Thanks for reading, jordan!! 🙂

Thank you for sharing your experience! This is SO important to know. The UK is really strict about this too.

Yes!! The first time I went to London, it was on an overnight bus from Paris (#brokestudentlife) and I crossed the border in the middle of the night, half asleep. I was petrified because they asked so many more questions than the other places I’d been to. Now I know it’s always good to have everything confirmed, printed and available haha. I’m such a nerd I sometimes even practice my little spiel about who I am, where I’m going, etc. while I’m in line.

I love how you did your research and knew he was incorrect about Croatia! It shows it’s always good to be prepared. Imagine if you didn’t! This was an interesting read. I had no idea that Germany was so strict to get in to.

Haha I felt so smug after!! And yeah, it honestly depends on individual guards/employees though. In my experience, German border police have always been very easy-going and not as picky as this. It pays to be prepared no matter what though!

Oh Christina! I swear you are the funniest Though of course this could very well not be that funny! I learned about prove of onward travel on my trip to Maldives; the lady a true the counter definitely looked like she’d send me home if I hadn’t got anything Luckily I did!

Hehe thanks Nam! I feel like this is definitely one of those things you don’t know about until you get asked for it! That’s why I want everyone to know it at least exists! And SO good to hear you didn’t get turned away at the Maldives haha… that would have been terrible!

Honestly, this has never been an issue when I’ve travelled. Thank you SO MUCH for bringing this to my attention. I usually have printed itineraries from booking my flights, and they include the return date and flight number, but I will make 100% I have those on me when I travel now! It appears quite a few people haven’t heard of this/had it happen, so good job for letting us all know about this!

thanks for reading, Kayleigh!! Yeah it’s definitely one of those things you don’t hear about until it’s too late haha. Glad you found this useful 😀

I have never been denied entry into a country but I did have to provide a rambling explanation coming from Paris to the UK with my friend who has a German passport and a return plane ticket and I only had a one-way plane ticket and an American passport with a recent UK border stamp. Long story short I gave a very detailed explanation of her student status in Paris my American holiday time frame and tried not to pass out from fear. The guy asked a lot of questions and wanted exact dates and locations for proof of onward travel, so have that information ready and not stowed away in your carry-on.

oh my gosh that sounds so scary!! Really good tip to have everything handy. It always helps to be overprepared 🙂 I still carry my silly spreadsheet around and it always makes them laugh haha.

i think I was asked once by an airline when I went to Peru from Chile. I simply told them I had 12000 in the bank and they let me through. Afterwards I have never been asked for proof when I intend to leave. If I was to travel to Europe I would probably travel to Albania. Rent an apartment there and use Albania as my base of operations. When I want to go to Poland than I would simply tell them I will return to Albania afterwards. I figure that as I am a caucasian male who is dressed in dress clothing and I have a US passport that I am not likely to be asked alot of question as they figure I am likely rich and not interested in illegally immigrating to their nation.

These requirements are a mess! I travel often in SE Asia and places like Indonesia require it all the time :/ There are a few onward ticket generators, such as fakeflighttickets.com, flyonward.com, returnflightonwardtravel.com Have you guys tried any of these? Are they worth it?

I use https://keyflight.io , it was enough for a border control and for travel visa (but i paid for it)

I had a similar experience flying into Italy, but the U.S. airline let me board with only a one-way ticket. In hindsight, I had wished they had stopped me in New York. Once in Rome, I spent 3 hours in their “holding room” trying to explain to them I would buy a return ticket within my allotted 3-month visa, I just didn’t know where I was flying out of yet. My misfortune I had traveled to Italy at a time they were having a row with Indian (yes, other countries have rows with other countries, it just doesn’t make the US news). I am of Indian extraction. My father is American-born Indian and my mother is from New Delhi. I finally got a custom agent to understand that the US is a melting pot and some of us have funny last names and darker skin. This sunk in, he nodded, and said that they would consider letting me in. This was progress. Soon after a fellow American traveler was brought into the same office because he couldn’t find his passport in all his luggage. We talked, and he suggested I buy a fully refundable one-way ticket back to the US via my smartphone. What a genius! I did do and within minutes I had proof of return. This pleased the Italian customs and off I went.

We had a terrible experience with the border patrol in Germany. We were coming back to US with a 1.5 hours layover in Munich, after a cruise a few years back. We visited many ports and had all those stamps in our passport. Munich border patrol (still in secure area of the airport, changing a plane) checked all the stamps and did not let us through. We were not told what the problem was. We showed our itinerary to the agent but got nowhere. We did not know that one of the stamps, Zeebrugge (Belgien) was stamped with a future date by customs agent at the cruise terminal. It turned out that we were stamped with a future month. German board patrol agent took us away to a lockdown area. I were kept there for a long time and worried that we miss our flight. We were kept in the dark all this time and were not even allowed to use the restroom. It was rude and inhumane behaviour. It took a long for another agent to call Zeebrudgge customs to verify the information. Finally, we were allowed of this lockdown area to catch our flight. We were running with our carry-ons with the speed we did not know was possible for us. They gave us a paper which had a correct date for Zeebrugge – that is how we found out what was the delay about. I would always think about Germany border patrol as sadistic. BWY, we were already senior citizens that year.

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What Is 'Proof Of Onward Travel'? The Bizarre Law To Know About For International Trips

P icture this: You've just landed in Paris, excited about everything you'll see, do, and eat while backpacking through Europe . Passport in hand, you approach the immigration desk ready to breeze through — but suddenly, the officer asks for something you've never heard of before. "Do you have proof of onward travel?" they say. Your palms start to sweat, your mind goes blank, and a heart-racing fear sinks in as you realize you might be denied entry over a technicality you didn't even know existed.

Truth is, this scenario can be a lot more common than you might think. A requirement that catches its fair share of travelers off guard, proof of onward travel requires visitors to a foreign country to show proof (hence the name) that they have plans to leave the country before their visa or permitted stay expires. This could be in the form of a return flight ticket, a bus ticket to a neighboring country, or any other evidence that demonstrates you won't overstay your welcome.

And while the concept might seem strange — especially if you're a spontaneous traveler who likes to keep plans flexible with a one-way ticket or a digital nomad working remotely while traveling from different destinations and hopping between countries — it's actually a common policy enforced by many countries and airlines to manage immigration and prevent overstays. All of which goes to say that, at the end of the day, knowing about proof of onward travel can save you from potential travel disasters in the long run.

Read more: Tips For Protecting Your Passport When Traveling Abroad

Proof Of Onward Travel Is An Important Requirement For Visitors

Aside from crushing your dreams of romantically jetting off with nothing but a carry-on and a one-way ticket, proof of onward travel is more than just a bureaucratic hurdle — it's a pretty crucial consideration. Moreover, it's also one that can significantly impact your travel plans and leave you scrambling at the last minute if you're caught unprepared.

Albeit not always a "legal requirement" per se, it's better to be safe rather than sorry and book a flight out of your travel destination before even attempting to board your initial flight. After all, more and more international airlines are now asking that travelers show proof of onward travel before allowing them to board the plane. Why the airline and not immigration officers? Because, if you're turned back at your destination, it's the airline's responsibility to get you back home — potentially all on the airline's dime.

As for figuring out if your intended destination requires that you show proof of travel, the truth is that there's no certain way to know whether an airline employee will ask to see it or not. That said, it's always better to err on the side of caution and have a return ticket safely tucked away. Otherwise, you might catch yourself struggling to try and secure a wildly overpriced last-minute plane ticket from your phone (while using some spotty airport Wi-Fi on top of that) as the gate agent suspiciously watches your every move.

Securing Proof Of Onward Travel

So how can you make sure you're never caught off guard? Well, the simplest way to ensure you have proof of onward travel is to actually book a round-trip ticket if you're planning a straightforward vacation. Alternatively, if you're planning on taking a longer break that involves multiple destinations, booking a flight out of one country and into your next country on the itinerary can also suffice — although this does require a little more planning and potentially less flexibility.

Lastly, for travelers who still prefer to keep their options open or are unsure of their exact plans, there are also services out there that can take care of securing the requirement for you. For example, companies like Onward Ticket charge users just $16 to "reserve" a ticket for up to 48 hours. In return, travelers receive a real flight confirmation that can be shown to airline staff or immigration officers as needed. Keep in mind, however, that while these services aren't technically illegal, they do operate in a gray area and can be in violation of an airline's terms of service — so use them at your own discretion.

Read the original article on Explore .

What is Proof of Onward Travel and What Are Your Options?

Proof of onward travel is a common yet frustrating question that you might get asked for when you’re travelling into a new country. This is especially the case if you're travelling with flexible plans, and don't necessarily have your next country planned (or booked) yet.

Proof of onward travel is usually requested when checking in at the airport, however I’ve also heard some stories of a few people who have been asked for proof of onward travel while crossing land borders, Basically, it's evidence that you'll be leaving the country before your visa expires, usually in the form of a flight ticket to another country.

The easiest way to bypass proof of onward travel?

Rent an onward ticket.

This is the simplest and most reliable method (although there are other ways too). Read on to learn more about proof of onward travel and your options.

Proof of onward travel causes endless confusion amongst travellers, so it’s good to know what your options are and to do a little bit of research into your next country beforehand. Sometimes airport staff get it wrong as well – I’ve once had to argue my way onto a flight from South Korea to Vietnam, which doesn’t require proof of onward travel.

Proof of onward travel seems to be requested more often in South East Asia (probably due to the high volume of expats doing monthly visa runs). I've also been questioned when flying into the UK as well.

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What is Proof of Onward Travel?

In short, proof of onward travel is evidence that you will be leaving your destination country. This is usually a return flight ticket or another flight ticket to your home (or next) country. A land border crossing in the form of a bus or train ticket is usually accepted as well, but I’ve heard quite a few stories of airport staff specifically asking for a flight ticket.

Proof of onward travel is required by some countries for all sorts of reasons, but in general, it’s to make sure that:

• You have enough money to leave the country.
• You intend to leave the country before your visa expires.
• You don’t intend to stay in the country (illegally).

If you think about it, using proof of onward travel to determine one of the above scenarios doesn’t seem like a particularly bright idea, but for now, it’s best to treat it as just one of those old, bureaucratic rules that haven’t yet been updated.

What Counts as Proof of Onward Travel?

A flight ticket out of the country you're visiting is the best proof of onward travel. Technically, bus or train tickets should be accepted as well, but a flight ticket is your safest bet as this is what border control is used to. If you're not sure, you should try and find an official source (e.g. the government website of the country you're visiting) or play it safe with one of the options below.

The cheapest and most surefire way is to rent a ticket .

What Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

Countries that definitely require proof of onward travel include Peru, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama.

My personal experience of being asked for proof of onward travel was flying into Thailand. I was also asked for proof when flying to Vietnam, but I did my research and found that proof of onward travel was not needed. I showed my evidence to the check-in desk at Bangkok Airport, and they finally let me through.

I tried digging around some more to find a more comprehensive list, but couldn't find one - not to mention, it probably changes from time to time. Renting a ticket alleviates this uncertainty altogether, but if you want to check your destination's government resources - more power to you!

How to Get Proof of Onward Travel

My first experience with a request for proof of onward travel was when I flew with a one-way ticket from Sydney to Thailand several years ago. I intended to catch an overnight bus into Cambodia before my one-month visa expired, but I wasn’t sure when – so I didn’t have a ticket yet.

Thailand requires an onward ticket, and I didn’t want to pay for one. So, like any self-respecting digital native of the 21st century, I went to the internet to find answers. And as always, the internet delivered: with hundreds of pages of conflicting advice from self-proclaimed “experts”, hare-brained theories and generally inconsistent anecdotes.

Not exactly the clarity I wanted. Thanks, internet.

So, what are your options?

1. Risk It and Smile

While it’s possible that you won’t be asked for proof of onward travel at the airport, it’s a good idea to be prepared on the off-chance that it might happen. Life is full of unexpected surprises: tour taxi to airport could be late, there could be traffic… and you might get denied entry when boarding your flight.

This leaves you with no choice but to book an onward flight (or follow one of the options below), and if you’re short on time, you might end up missing your flight altogether. The alternatives are so simple that there really is no point in risking it.

Verdict: high risk, not recommended.

2. Create a Fake Ticket Confirmation

If you’re a Photoshop whiz, you can try editing an old email confirmation from another airline or travel agent. Just make sure that the flight number and departure times of the flight you’ll be “boarding” actually exists!

Alternatively, you can start the booking process with some airlines and take a screenshot of the check-out screen. Some creative cropping will result in a document you can keep on your phone to show at the gate.

I’ve met a lot of people that advocate this approach, but personally, I’m not a fan. While it’s highly unlikely that they’ll actually check the details at the gate, this method leaves you vulnerable to accusations of knowingly forging official documents. And let’s be honest: that’s exactly what you’ve done. You’ll have almost no options to defend yourself and completely at the mercy of the airport official.

3. Buy a Flexible Date Ticket

Another legitimate way of skirting around the onward travel rules is to buy a ticket where you can change the flight dates. The issue is that flexible date tickets are often significantly more expensive, especially if you compare it against local airlines that offer flights that are inflexible but are also half the price (or less).

Verdict: expensive.

4. Buy a Cheap Throwaway Ticket

While expensive, this the most legitimate way to beat the system. In fact, this is what most process-abiding airline staff will tell you if they find you don’t have an onward ticket.

In a nutshell, this method requires you to buy the cheapest ticket possible to a nearby country, while still being within your visa period. I’ve also heard of people getting by with a cheap bus or train ticket between countries, although it seems like there have been mixed results with this approach. Still, this strategy is expensive – not to mention wasteful.

Verdict: unnecessary, expensive and wasteful.

5. Hold a Flight Ticket for 24 Hours

All US airlines (and some online travel agencies) are also required to offer a 24 hour “hold” period. With this method, you can reserve a ticket at a certain price for 24 hours. You’ll be issued with a confirmation email, which you can show to the airport staff if asked.

This was my personal preference for a while as it’s completely free, however I’ve heard stories of some people having their flight reservations questioned at the airport. It’s hard to say whether they got unlucky or the airports have become wise to the act, but this method is still a relatively low risk way of bypassing proof of onward travel. If all else fails, combine it with method #6 or #7 if you’re challenged at the airport.

Verdict: low risk, but not foolproof.

6. Buy a Refundable Flight Ticket

In the United States, all airline companies are required by federal law to provide a complete refund on all bookings within a 24 hour period. This means that you can book any flight at random, use it to get into your destination country as “proof of onward travel”, then get all your money back.

Just make sure you process the refund before the 24 hour refund period expires!

The best way to do this is to pay by credit card to avoid dipping into your savings, or even better, to use your frequent flyer miles. All US airline companies should honour the 24 hour refund period, however there has been some chatter about American Airlines phasing out this option. To make sure you’re not going to stuck with a $1000 flight across the world, make sure you do your research: read the fine print before booking and make sure you have enough time to cancel before your 24 hours are up.

Verdict: low risk, but could be expensive if you don't cancel in time.

7. Rent an Onward Ticket

There are a number of services that allow you to rent a ticket for a small fee. At first, these services were using the “hold a flight ticket for 24 hours” method which made them rather unnecessary, but they have since become more sophisticated. When you present your flight number and details at the airport desk, you will now actually show up on airport systems – making this a legitimate way of having peace of mind.

As far as these services go, the self-titled  Onward Ticket website is a good place to get yourself an onward ticket. At the time of writing, renting a ticket costs $12.

Verdict: highly recommended.

Final Thoughts

Proof of onward travel is an inconvenience that travellers will have to face at one point or another, so it’s good to be informed and have a plan before you end up stuck without being able to board your flight.

The simplest way to avoid any headaches is to simply  buy an onward ticket , but if you’re game, either holding a 24 hour reservation or refunding a flight ticket within 24 hours is also an option. Just be prepared in case an over-zealous airport official keeps asking questions.

If asked why you’re holding (and not buying) the ticket, you can simply say you’re waiting to see how price changes, or that you simply forgot. Make up an excuse. If they won’t get off your case, simply book the ticket on the spot. Just be sure that you can process the refund in time!

Whichever method you decide to use, don’t forget to smile and be friendly to all airport staff. Simply being nice can get you free seat upgrades, less questions, and even in one case, an exemption when I tried to bring 12kg of carry-on luggage onto an airline with a 7kg maximum.

If you have other strategies or experiences, I’d love to hear from you!

One more life hack how to create a real ticket for 24h for free: 1. Go to aeroflot.com and book a flight ticket 2. On the payment screen change language to RU. 3. Choose payment method by cash 4. They will give you booking number PNR for 24h. But without flight itinerary 5. Go to Photoshop for create itinerary Good Luck

Hey Weekends, this sounds pretty similar to the 2nd method listed here. All in all, I'd still recommend the 7th method to most people. It's just safer and it seems like airport officials are getting savvier. I personally wouldn't want to be caught with a Photoshopped ticket!

My bf and I just used fake flight tickets while traveling to Bali. It's a dummy ticket that looks exactly like the confirmation you get from Expedia.

good luck with your travels!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I like the idea of renting a ticket.. I personally just bough the cheapest out of Thai to vietnam which I'll be happy to go to.. do you know if they will ask for onward proof?

Hey Firo, if you've bought a legitimate ticket you simply have to fill in the arrival card with your next destination. Thailand's border security has a reputation of asking for proof of onward travel, but you might not get asked at all. On the occasions that I've flown into Thailand, it was a 50/50 change on whether I was questioned or not.

Alternatively, you can rent a legitimate ticket with a provider such as Onward Ticket . This allows you to change your mind later on - for example, if you don't want to head to Vietnam any more.

So did the hold ticket work for you every time? How do I find the hold ticket, which page should I find it at? And any idea if trying to get a 60 days visa in my country from consulate is that also ok to use the hold ticket, any experience?

I've used the hold ticket method quite a lot of times and I haven't had any issues. You simply need to book with an American airline (any of them will do). That said, the last time I did this was a few years ago, so now I'd suggest renting a ticket instead - just to be safe.

As for your visa situation, I can't really say without knowing what visa you're trying to get. Depending on where you're going, some visa applications require that you provide an exit ticket (that is, a "confirmation" is not enough), but again, this really comes down to your personal situation and where you're going. Hope this helps!

We're traveling from the US to Singapore, Sabah Malaysia, Brunei, The Philippines then back to the US. The only tickets we have purchased are from the US to Singapore and from The Philippines back to the US. If we show our return ticket from the Philippines back to the US, will that be adequate for boarding flights to the other countries?

Hey Boyd, I'd say that this should be fine if you can show the full itinerary and the connecting flights.

The main thing that each country cares about is when you're going to leave, not where . Officially, Singapore and the Philippines both require proof of onward travel to enter the country (although there's a chance they just won't check). I suspect Malaysia will also ask, but I'm not 100% sure as this was one of the rare times I had an exit flight booked before I landed in the country.

Best of luck and safe travels!

Great article ! Onward tickets keep your booking with PNR confirmed for 14 days. Which is perfect for visa application as well. (i'm not paid to say that :p )

Hey Lucie, thanks for sharing! I didn't know about it working for visa applications too, but perhaps that would be useful someone else reading this 🙂

I rent onward tickets. Service could not be better! Immediate responses, personal attention, authentic ticket and they cancel it automatically. I highly recommend and will use them again.

Number 3 may not work in Thailand. If they ask you for proof, they won't accept an open ticket, as even their consulate's page mentions this. For Thailand, the easiest way seems to be a smile, a 'hello' in Thai, or, if you want to stay on the safe side: a throw-away ticket for 20 bucks from AirAsia.

Hey Roman, I think you've misunderstood #3. Purchasing a flexible exit ticket with the option of changing the departure date is 100% abiding by Thailand's rules. If you're going to buy a throwaway ticket, you may as well rent an onward ticket and save yourself a few dollars. Being nice to the person at the desk is always a good idea though 🙂

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The Ultimate Guide to Proof of Onward Travel Flights

Digital Nomad Tips / August 13, 2018 by Pia Newman

Booking flights is a necessary part of any digital nomad’s travel shenanigans (and the bane of our existence). But depending on your destination, sooner or later you may be faced with this admonition by your airline of choice: “Proof of onward travel required.”

Wait – what?

Which self-respecting digital nomad knows exactly when and where they plan to fly to next, every time they enter a new country?

We buy one-way tickets exactly because we more often than not don’t know our next destination or don’t want to commit to one just yet. The only thing we do know is that more often than not we don’t want to go back to the place we just came from, so a return-ticket is out from the get-go.

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So what’s up with this proof of onward travel? Is it really that important? And how can you get around it without paying oodles of money for a ticket you don’t intend to use?

No worries, there are ways… 

…and we know them all.

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page: 

“Proof of onward travel is evidence that you’ve left the country at the end of your visa term.

Basically it’s to make sure that you:

• have enough money to leave the country,
• don’t intend to stay illegally, and
• intend to leave before your visa expires.

Sometimes, this evidence comes in the form of a visa requirement. However, a country will often pass this responsibility on to the airlines. This means you’ll need that evidence at the check-in counter or the airline won’t let you board your flight.

The airlines are strict about this, and with good reason from their point of view. If they don’t check and let you on the flight with a one-way ticket, they will be responsible for the cost of both the fines and of flying you back when immigration officials refuse to let you in.

They may let you on the flight if you buy a return ticket from them right then and there – but don’t expect that to be a cheap deal, especially for a ticket you never intend to use.

Countries that have this stipulation include (but are not limited to) Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and most Central American countries.

Here are the ways you can prove your onward travel plans to any airline or immigration officer.

1. Book a fully Refundable Flight Ticket

If you can afford to wait for your refund, then buying a fully refundable one-way ticket within your visa term is a viable option. You will have to buy this ticket before you leave for your destination to be able to show it at the check-in.

You can cancel this flight upon entering the country and simply have to wait to get your money back. Just be aware that this can sometimes take months.

Also,  be sure to read the fine print . Some airlines charge cancellation fees or only give you flight vouchers instead of your actual money back.  

2. Reserve a Ticket for 24 hours  (US Only)

In the US, airline companies are required by law to provide full refunds on bookings within 24 hours. This gives you the option of buying a ticket with a US-airline at random right before your flight out, show it as proof of onward travel and get all your money back.

All you have to make sure of is to cancel the flight before the 24 hours are over.

As with the refundable ticket, read the fine print before you book! In theory, all US airlines should honor this refund period, but there has been talk about American Airlines phasing this option out. So just in case, do your research before you get stuck with an expensive flight you’re never going to take.

3. Book & Cancel with Miles or Points

If you’ve accumulated a ton of miles or points on your reward credit card, this option is kind of a no-brainer. Use those points to book a one-way flight and cancel it later. Most of the time, those points or miles are refunded immediately.

4. Book the cheapest ticket you can  find – It needn’t be a plane ticket!

Since you’re not going to take this flight, it doesn’t matter where and at what time it goes (as long as it’s before your visa expires), so you can just book the cheapest possible flight out of the country.

With an extreme budget airline, that can be a ticket for $20. More likely it’ll be for $50 to $100.

But why focus solely on flight tickets? There are other ways to leave countries, after all. Namely via trains or buses. In Europe,  Flixbus  is a super cheap bus operator who offers rides from Bratislava to Vienna for about €5, for example.

Of course this isn’t an option in every country, but definitely worth checking out to save money and hassle.

6. Buy a Flexible Date Ticket

If you know where you’ll be flying to next but are still uncertain about the when of it all, a flexible date ticket for which you can leave your flight dates open or change them might be a viable option.

The only caveat is that these tickets are usually quite a bit more expensive than for example flights from local airlines that offer inflexible but far cheaper options.

7. Rent a Ticket with an Onward  Ticketing Service

When asked, we from WiFi Tribe tend to suggest renting a ticket from an onward ticketing service –  yes, renting it .

These service providers book real, legitimate flights in your name on the day of your flight and automatically cancel it within 24 or 48 hours. All you pay is a fee starting at around $10 for this service.

For most of these services, you are able to specify when you need to receive your ticket and for how long it needs to be valid for. If you don’t want to worry about refunds, paying large sums or cancellation policies, this is your best option.

“To be clear: you cannot use this ticket to actually hop on the flight!

Also, try to book an onward ticket from any of these services at least 24 hours in advance. They book and cancel tickets manually and usually have specific office hours. Most of them promise at least a 24-hour turnaround, so you should be fine within that time frame.

Renting a ticket this way is completely legal and our preferred proof of onward travel option, which is why here’s a short run-down of some of the current onward-ticket providers.

Onward Ticket

OnwardTicket offers a simple, easy service whereby you can get proof of an onward flight in two minutes. It’s $12 to use the service and the ticket gets sent to your email address. Simple. Easy. Straightforward.

Best Onward Ticket

BestOnwardticket  starts at $12 per ticket, and for a few extra bucks you can specify with a click whether you want a particular destination stated on your ticket or need the ticket for a later date:

Their office hours run from 5:30am to 11pm (GMT +7) seven days a week and they promise to email your ticket within ten minutes to two hours of your booking. Outside of these hours, BestOnwardticket doesn’t book flights or cancel them. So if you’re trying to book an onward ticket last minute when nobody is at the office, you may just be out of luck.

That’s where the Checkbox for receiving your onward ticket at a later date, specified by you, comes in handy – just make sure to book a few days before you fly out and you’ll receive the ticket in your email-inbox right on time.

You can pay for a BestOnwardticket ticket via credit card or Paypal.

Onward Flights

At $7 for a ticket,  Onwardflights.com  is probably the cheapest onward flight provider out there – and one of our personal favourites.

Unlike BestOnwardticket, Onwardflights doesn’t state official office hours. They get around this by promising that you’ll receive your ticket within 12 hours of paying via Paypal, which is also the only payment method offered.

The France-based  OneWayFly  is interesting because you can book not only one-way flights but also round-trip and 1-year open flights:

The one-way- and round-trip tickets cost €20, while the 1-year open flight costs €40. You can also add a hotel voucher for €10. Not sure why you’d need or want to spend more money on those extra options and there’s no explanation to be found on the website. If you know what that’s about or can think of a scenario in which you’d book one of those options, feel free to pop down and tell us in the comments.

OneWayFly’s office hours are Monday through Sunday from 9:30am to 6:30pm CET (GMT +1), so this one is better geared towards Europeans. In general, they promise to send you your ticket via email within 24 hours of you booking it.

OneWayFly also accepts payment via credit card or Paypal, but you can also go to the agency and pay them directly, presumably in cash.

Flyonward – BEWARE OF SCAMS!

We picked the aforementioned onward flight services because we’ve either had good personal experiences with them or because they have great customer ratings. This is not the case for all of them.

You may come across some older blog posts about onward travel services that still recommend using FlyOnward.com. Until fairly recently, a lot of people – including several of our own tribers – booked tickets with them, paid the money and then never received a ticket or a refund. FlyOnward was a scam. It has been since discontinued; even the website is no more.

Our point here is: there are more and more of these onward flight services popping up every year – the demand is growing right alongside people’s travel fevers and the rapidly increasing digital nomad community. Whichever (new) service you choose, take the time to do five minutes of research for the first time you book with them and make sure they’re legit.

So there you have it: these are our two cents on the subject of onward travel, gathered together via our Tribe’s infinite collective travel wisdom. Why not become a WiFi Tribe member and benefit from our experience in coworking and coliving directly and hassle-free? Just click here to apply  or here to  check out our next amazing destinations .

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How to Provide Proof of Onward Travel: 9 Options

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: June 14, 2024

Categories Travel Tips , Visas and Borders

Home » Travel » Visas and Borders » How to Provide Proof of Onward Travel: 9 Options

Proof of onward travel is becoming a common and annoying travel requirement. An increasing number of countries are requiring that you show a valid ticket out of the country before you’re allowed to enter or even board your flight. This proves that you intend to leave the country and not overstay your tourist visa.

While traveling long term, you sometimes find yourself in situations that make it difficult to provide proof of onward travel. For example, maybe you’re flying on a one-way ticket. Maybe you’re a spontaneous traveler and you don’t know how long you’re going to stay. Maybe you plan to exit the country overland and can’t purchase a ticket online. The proof of onward travel requirement presents an obvious challenge. Luckily, there are some solutions. This guide outline 9 ways to show proof of onward travel.

The fist time I was asked for proof of onward travel was when I was flying from Los Angeles to Cartagena, Colombia on a one way ticket. I had never heard of this requirement. These days, I always make sure I have proof of onward travel when flying on a one-way ticket. I would say about 75% of the time, I end up needing it either when checking in for my flight or when passing through immigration. Usually, I pay to rent a plane ticket for 48 hours. This costs about $12.

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

Proof of onward travel means that you must provide proof that you are leaving the country that you are entering. The government wants to make sure that you are not planning to illegally immigrate. Airlines can also require proof of onward travel.

A booked airline ticket out of the country acts as your proof of onward travel. This ticket can be to a third country or back to your home country. The ticket must show that you are leaving the country before your visa expires. The ticket must be confirmed and paid for.

In most cases, you can also use an international bus, train, or ferry ticket as proof of onward travel. Sometimes these are a bit harder to book online but they are usually accepted by immigration. In some cases, immigration may require an airline ticket.

Any country can require you to show proof of onward travel. It doesn’t matter if the country offers visa-free access, visa on arrival, or if you obtained a visa in advance. Airlines can also require proof of onward travel before they allow you to board.

Generally, proof of onward travel is only required if you are entering on a short-term visa such as a tourist visa. If you are entering on a long-term visa, such as a residency visa, proof of onward travel usually isn’t required.

If you are arriving with your own means of transport such as a car, boat, motorcycle, or bicycle, you are usually exempt from showing proof of onward travel. Your vehicle proves that you have the means to exit the country.

Immigration may also require you to show proof that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself during your trip. You may be asked to show a bank statement with a certain amount of money in the account.

Some countries also require that you show proof of funds in addition to proof of onward travel. In this case, you need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. How much money you need to show depends on the country and the duration of your visa. This is a fairly rare requirement for tourist visas.

Airline Proof of Onward Travel Requirement

Many airlines require that you show proof of onward travel before they will issue you a boarding pass or allow you to board your flight. While checking you in, the agent may ask to see your flight reservation out of the country you’re visiting. If you check in online or at a kiosk, you may be called up by a gate agent to show your proof of onward travel.

Airlines check for proof of onward travel because many countries hold the airline responsible if a traveler shows up without the means to support themselves or leave the country. In other words, countries have passed the responsibility of checking proof of onward travel onto the airlines.

If an airline allows you to fly on a one-way ticket and immigration doesn’t allow you to enter the country when you arrive, the airline may be required to fly you back to your home country at their expense. Some countries also fine airlines for this. Before you are deported, you will likely be given the opportunity to buy a ticket out of the country.

To avoid this situation and reduce liability, airlines often require everyone to show proof of onward travel before boarding. Airlines tend to be very strict about the proof of onward travel requirements. If you can’t provide proof of onward travel, they will require you to buy a return ticket on the spot before they allow you to board. This could be very expensive.

Your proof of onward travel won’t be checked every time you board a flight on a one-way ticket. Because most passengers fly on round-trip tickets, airport staff often forget to check or simply don’t care. If you’ve made it onto your flight without proof of onward travel, it’s unlikely that immigration will ask for it when you arrive. That said, it’s not worth taking the risk. When flying, always be prepared to show proof of onward travel.

Why do I Need Proof of Onward Travel?

The proof of onward travel requirement exists to prevent illegal immigration . The government wants to make sure that you plan to leave the country and not overstay your visa or live and work in the country illegally.

The most common way for people to illegally immigrate to a country is to enter on a tourist visa, student visa, or work visa then never leave. According to this article from NPR, “people who overstayed their visas accounted for 62 percent of the newly undocumented, while 38 percent had crossed a border illegally.” Visa overstays are more common than illegal border crossings.

The proof of onward travel requirement reduces the likelihood of visa overstays. Having a return ticket proves to the government that you plan to leave the country before your visa expires.

Some financially irresponsible travelers also run out of money during their trips. They either spend all of their money or travel on a one-way ticket without the means to return home. These travelers may end up overstaying their visas, begging, working illegally, or committing other various crimes. This creates a number of problems for governments to deal with.

By requiring proof of onward travel, the government can be assured that even if a traveler runs out of money during their trip, they will still be able to leave the country because their return ticket is already paid for.

The purpose of this guide is to make it easier for you to comply with the proof of onward travel rule. If you don’t have the means to pay for a flight out of a country, you shouldn’t enter.

Which Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel?

Officially, only a handful of countries have immigration laws on the books stating that proof of onward travel is required for entry. These countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Peru, New Zealand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Indonesia, and probably several others.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t be asked when entering other countries. You could be asked to show proof of onward travel when entering any country. In my experience, Southeast Asia countries, Central American countries, and European Union countries tend to be strict about proof of onward travel.

Sometimes these rules are enforced and sometimes they aren’t. At this point, it is best to always be prepared to show proof of onward travel whenever entering a foreign country. Particularly when passing through an airport. You never know when you’re going to be asked.

Most airlines require proof of onward travel these days. Any immigration official could require you to show onward travel plans before allowing you to enter. You don’t want to have to put yourself through the stressful situation of having to book a flight last minute.

Where is Proof of Onward Travel Checked?

There are 3 different places where you may be asked to provide proof of onward travel.

• At the airline check-in desk or gate- When checking in for international flights, the agent may ask to see proof of onward travel before issuing you your boarding pass. If you check in online or at a kiosk, you might be called up to the gate to show your proof of onward travel before you can board.
• At immigration- Before stamping your passport and allowing you to enter the country, an immigration official may ask to see a valid ticket out of the country. This can happen at the at an airport, land border, or sea port. When you enter a country overland, the chance of being asked for proof of onward travel is lower.
• At an embassy or consulate when applying for a visa- Many countries require that you show proof of onward travel before they issue you a visa. You’ll have to attach your flight itinerary as supporting documentation for your visa application. If this is a visa requirement, be sure to accurately list the locations and dates where you will enter and exit the country. Some countries are very strict and will only allow you to enter and exit at the point of entry indicated on the visa that you have been issued. Read the rules carefully.

How to Provide Proof Of Onward Travel: 9 Ways

Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to providing proof of onward travel. Some are legal and some are illegal. Some cost money and some are free. In this section, I’ll describe each method. 

1. Purchase a Refundable Flight Ticket

This is the best and cheapest way to provide proof of onward travel. Simply buy a fully-refundable one-way airline ticket from the country that you’re visiting back to your home country or to a third country then cancel and get a refund when you arrive. This way, you have a legitimate onward travel ticket to show at the airport check-in counter and immigration.

To make this work, you’ll need to buy your second ticket before your flight. Search for a fully-refundable flight from your destination country back to your home country or to another country and book it.

After booing, you’ll receive an email with your ticket confirmation. This email is your proof of onward travel.

After booking the ticket, you have two options.

• Wait until you arrive at your destination country and make it through immigration, then cancel the ticket and collect your refund.
• Print out the ticket after booking, then immediately cancel it.

The first option is safer because you will have a legitimate valid ticket. If the airline or immigration actually checks that you are booked on the flight or asks you if the ticket is valid, it is. You’re not lying to anybody.

With the second option, your ticket is not valid because you already canceled it. All you have is a confirmation email that shows you bought a ticket. In most cases, this is sufficient. Usually, nobody will check or ask if your ticket is still valid.

It’s important to note that it is possible for both immigration and airlines to check the validity of your onward flight ticket if they choose. A database of flights and passengers exists. From my understanding, one airline can check another airline’s bookings if they need to.

In some cases, you have no choice but to cancel the ticket before you arrive. For example, if you only have a 24 hour window to request a refund but you’ll be in transit for 36 hours, you’ll have to cancel your ticket before you arrive and pass through immigration.

If you have to cancel your onward ticket before boarding your flight, try to book it on a different airline than the one you’re flying with. This makes it more difficult for the airline to check the validity of your ticket. If you book on the same airline, they can easily see in their system that you’ve canceled the return ticket. It is unlikely that anyone will notice but this is a good extra precaution to take.

Before buying a ticket, you’ll want to confirm that it is fully refundable. Be sure to read the fine print. Some airlines charge cancellation fees. Some only offer refunds in the form of flight vouchers. They don’t offer cash refunds. You should also make sure that there isn’t a booking fee. You want to make sure that you can get all of your money back. If there is a fee, find another flight to book that doesn’t have a fee.

It’s also important to make sure that the ticket you book is on a flight within your visa validity. For example, if your tourist visa or entry permit is valid for 30 days, the ticket must show that you’re leaving the country before that 30 days is up. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to enter.

Ideally, you should book a ticket that departs around the time you actually intend to leave the country. In some countries, immigration will issue you a visa that is only valid for the number of days that your proof of onward travel indicates that you’re staying. For example, if your proof of onward travel shows that you plan to stay two weeks but you intend to stay for a month, you might only get two weeks on your visa.

As long as the ticket is fully refundable, you don’t have to worry about the price of the ticket. You just need to make sure that you have enough money to cover the cost of the ticket. That said, it’s best to book a cheap flight, just in case you can’t get a refund.

When booking my refundable flight, I always book the cheapest flight I can, just in case I can’t get a refund. For example, if I’m flying into Bangkok, I’ll book my onward ticket to Singapore or Kuala Lampur rather than the United States. A regional flight is much cheaper than an intercontinental flight. If I can’t get a refund for whatever reason, I’ll be out less than a hundred dollars instead of a thousand.

How to Book a Refundable Ticket

There are a number of ways to book a refundable ticket. One option is to use a booking engine such as Expedia or Orbitz. These companies offer free cancelation on many flights if you cancel within 24 hours. Usually, there are no fees involved.

When using these booking sites, use the .com version of the site. The country-specific versions often don’t offer 24 hour refunds. When looking through the list of flights, look for flights with free 24 hour cancelation advertised on the listing.

Some booking engines also have a ‘refundable flights’ check-box on the search page. If you check this box, you’ll only be shown flights with 24 hour or better refund policy. This makes it even easier to search for refundable flights.

You’ll find that most flights come with 24 hour free cancellation. The only exceptions are flights on budget airlines. Budget carriers often do not offer free cancellation, unless they are required to by law. I have found that most budget carriers in Europe and Southeast Asia do not offer free cancelation. Another option is to book a flight to the United States. According to the US Department of Transportation, airlines flying into the US must allow you to cancel your ticket free of charge for 24 hours after booking as long as you make the cancelation at least 7 days ahead of departure. To read more about this rule, check out this guide.

This works well for American travelers. If you’re not from the US, you could be asked to show a US visa.

You can also book a flexible date ticket directly with the airline. Flexible tickets can be changed or canceled. They are usually much more expensive than standard fares. The price doesn’t matter because you’re going to get a full refund anyway.

Before you book a flexible ticket, you’ll want to make sure that it is fully refundable. Some premium airlines offer 24 hour refunds on all of their flights.

Is this legal and Ethical?

Buying a ticket and canceling it is a perfectly legal and free way to provide proof of onward travel. The ticket you have to show the airline and immigration officer is valid and paid for, even though you plan to cancel it. You don’t have to lie to anyone.

Buying and canceling the ticket doesn’t break any rules. It isn’t against the terms of the airline as long as the airline offers free refunds.

This trick has been used to provide proof of onward travel for decades. Before online booking was possible, travel agents used to offer this as a service to their clients who were flying on one-way tickets. You can still pay companies to book and cancel a ticket for you. More on that in the next section.

Drawbacks to booking a refundable ticket

The biggest drawback of this option is the time it will take to get your money back. Some airlines may make you wait several months before issuing a refund. During that time, your money is tied up so you won’t be able to use it for travel.

You will also have to deal with the actual process of asking for a refund. This can be torturous. It depends on which airline you use. On one occasion, I had to wait on hold for two hours to speak to an agent to request a refund. Some airlines make refunds difficult.

Sometimes you can get your money quickly and painlessly. If you cancel immediately after booking and the airline or booking company offers free cancelations, the ticket may never even be charged to your credit card.

Of course, there is also the risk that you don’t get your money back. An airline or booking company could refuse to grant you a refund. Maybe you misread the flight listing and mistakenly booked a non-refundable ticket. In this case, you could be out hundreds of dollars. Airlines and booking companies are not known for their customer service. They can try to rip you off.

To reduce the likelihood of this happening, it’s a good idea to call the airline or booking company before booking a refundable ticket. Confirm with the agent that the ticket is fully refundable.

2. Rent a Ticket to Use for Proof of Onward Travel

A number of services exist that allow you to rent an airline ticket to use for proof of onward travel. For many travelers, this is the fastest, safest, and easiest solution.

These services work by booking a real flight ticket in your name. They then forward you the booking confirmation in an email. This is your proof of onward travel. You can print the email or show it to the airline or immigration agent on your phone. The company then automatically cancels the ticket for you after you’ve made it through immigration. Usually, the ticket is valid for 48 hours. If you need more time, you can also rent a ticket that is valid for up to 14 days.

When you rent a ticket, you’ll only pay a small fee to a company that will provide you with a temporary ticket to use as proof of onward travel. Prices for onward ticket rental range from $12-$20. You don’t have to pay for the whole flight.

Some companies allow you to choose the destination for an additional fee. Some allow you to schedule the ticket in advance. Longer validity tickets are also more expensive.

In order to rent a ticket, you’ll need to supply your name, the return date for your onward ticket, the departing airport, and your email. Optionally, you can also choose to include an arrival airport.

The main benefit of renting a ticket is that you don’t have to worry about actually getting a refund. You also don’t have to deal with reading through cancellation policies to find refundable tickets. You never have to pay upfront for an expensive ticket or wait for a refund. In addition, the only personal information you need to supply is your name. No passport info is required.

Before you rent a ticket, make sure it comes with a Passenger Name Record (PNR) code. This is what the airline and immigration use to verify that your ticket is real. If it doesn’t come with a PNR code, you may have trouble at some airports and border crossings.

A number of companies offer this service. Some are better than others. Some are straight-up scams. Be sure to do your research before renting a ticket.

For example, some companies supply you with a fake ticket to use for proof of onward travel. They never book a real ticket in your name. Instead, they simply fill out a template with your name and the flight details for a real flight. They essentially supply you with a forged document. These companies should be avoided.

Personally, I think renting a ticket is the best way to provide proof of onward travel. It’s what I do. It’s fast and convenient but it does add an extra cost.

The best places to rent a ticket for proof of onward travel:

• Bestonwardticket.com – This company rents tickets that are valid for 48 hours. They charge $12 for a basic ticket. You can add a destination for $4.99 and you can schedule your ticket for a later date for $1. The tickets are real and verifiable. I have used this service many times and have never had an issue.
• Onwardticket.com- They company issues you a verified ticket within 60 seconds. This is a great option if you’re in an airport or immigration and you need last-minute onward travel. You can choose from 48 hour or 14 day validity for your ticket. You can also choose from direct or multi-stop flights. Prices start at $12.
• Onewayfly.com- One Way Fly can issue you a verifiable ticket that is valid for up to 14 days. This is great for applying for visa applications. They also offer proof of accommodation (hotel reservations). This is a common requirement for visa applications. This company also allows you to add multiple passengers, avoid stopovers, or delay the ticket delivery. You do need to schedule this ticket in advance. It can take up to 12 hours to arrive after you place your order.

Before you book an onward ticket, be sure to read some reviews to make sure you’re ordering from a legitimate company. There are several scammy companies that sell fake onward tickets or provide poor service. The above 3 companies are all legitimate and receive excellent reviews. I trust them.

This is the option that I usually use. Even though it costs money, I prefer renting a ticket over booking a refundable ticket. The reason is that I don’t want to worry about not being able to get a refund.

3. Buy a Cheap Ticket and Throw it Away

Book the cheapest ticket you can find, use it for proof of onward travel, then don’t take the flight. In some places, you may be able to find tickets on budget airlines for less than $20. In most cases, you’ll spend $50-$100 on a ticket.

This is a good option if you get caught at an airport check-in counter without proof of onward travel. You can just find Wifi and book the cheapest flight. This is completely legal. Buying an onward ticket proves that you have the means to leave the country.

The cheapest tickets are usually short regional routes operated by budget airlines. Look for a ticket from your destination to a big city in a neighboring country. Tickets between large cities or capital cities tend to be the cheapest. Tickets to major hub cities are often cheap as well.

Be sure to check different dates to find the cheapest option. Sometimes tickets are cheaper if you book 2 weeks or a month in advance. Make sure the date you book is within your visa’s validity.

This method tends to work best in regions with lots of flights such as Europe and Southeast Asia. A few examples of budget airlines include Ryanair, Volaris, AirAsia, EasyJet, and WizzAir.

To help you find cheap flights, use the Google Flights map feature. It can help you quickly search for the cheapest flights in multiple cities in a region. Just input your destination city as the flight origin then change the search to one-way.

The drawback to buying a ticket and not using it is that it can be expensive. Sometimes. In some countries, airfare may be too expensive to just buy a throwaway ticket. This is the case in more off-the-beaten-path countries where flights are less frequent.

After you pass through immigration, consider calling the airline to tell them that you can’t make the flight. Even though the ticket is non-refundable, you may be able to get part of your money back. In some cases, you can get a refund on certain taxes. Some airlines might offer you a partial refund or voucher. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

4. Book a Bus or Train Ticket Out of the Country

Most airlines and immigration authorities will accept an international bus or train ticket as proof of onward travel. You don’t always need an airline ticket. Your bus or train ticket must show that you’re planning to leave the country before your visa expires.

This can be the better option if you’re a budget traveler. You can often buy an international bus ticket for $20-$50. These days, most bus companies sell tickets online. You can simply print the e-ticket or show the confirmation email. You don’t have to use the ticket if you don’t want to.

This is a risky method. Some airlines and immigration officials are picky. They require that you show an airline ticket as proof of onward travel. I believe the reason is that they can’t verify bus or train tickets. They can only verify air tickets on the database.

In my experience, a bus or train ticket is usually accepted for proof of onward travel. It depends on where in the world you’re traveling, the port of entry you’re using, and the mood of the immigration official. If you’re entering the country overland, a bus or train ticket is almost always accepted. At airports, it’s hit or miss.

5. Book a Ticket with Points or Miles then Cancel

If you have accumulated enough rewards points on your travel credit card, you can use the points to book yourself a one-way ticket to use as proof of onward travel. After booking, print the confirmation e-ticket email. After reaching your destination, cancel the ticket and get your points back.

This works well because flights booked with rewards points have better cancelation policies in many cases. FOr most flights, you have 24 hours to cancel. Points are often refunded instantly after you cancel your flight. you don’t have to wait for a refund.

Most banks and credit card companies have their own search engine for booking reward flights. Sometimes, you can use rewards points to book directly with an airline. In this case, you may have to convert your rewards points to the airline’s miles. Sometimes, you can use your points to book through a booking company like Expedia. Some credit card companies also have a concierge service or travel agency that you can call to help you make a fully refundable booking. You can simply call and ask the agent to book you a refundable ticket.

Before booking, you do have to research to make sure that the ticket is refundable. You don’t want to waste your valuable points. Read the terms and conditions carefully. It’s also a good idea to call an agent to confirm that the ticket is refundable.

The main benefit of booking with points is that you don’t have to put up any money for the ticket. You pay with points and receive points back when you request a refund. When you book with points, you usually don’t have to wait for a refund. It’s instantaneous.

6. Ask the Airline If You Can Sign a Waiver

If you find yourself in an airport without proof of onward travel, and the airline check-in agent is not allowing you to board your flight, ask if you can sign a waiver.

The waiver releases the airline of any liability if you are turned away by immigration when you arrive at your destination. In other words, the airline will not be responsible for paying for your return ticket if immigration doesn’t allow you to enter the country. By signing the waiver you are also guaranteeing that you have the financial means to leave the country. You will be responsible for paying for your return ticket if you are not allowed to enter.

This is a legal contract between you and the airline. If you agree to the terms, the check-in agent will print out a waiver for you to sign. Many airlines have these waivers already prepared for this situation.

Not every airline offers this option. Some will simply not allow you to board until you can obtain proof of onward travel. It is worth asking if you can sign a waiver if you’re in a pinch.

Even if you sign a waiver and are allowed on the flight, it does not necessarily mean that you will be allowed to enter the country once you arrive. The waiver is only between you and the airline. Immigration could still deny you entry if you don’t have proof of onward travel. That will be another problem for you to deal with when you arrive.

If the airline won’t allow you to sign a waiver, the next best option is to find an internet connection and either rent a ticket or buy a refundable ticket, as outlined above.

7. Carry Proof of Sufficient Funds

In lieu of showing proof of onward travel, some countries will accept a recent bank statement that shows that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay and purchase a ticket home. Some counties list it as an alternative to proof of onward travel.

The amount of money that have to show will depend on the country you’re visiting and how long you plan to stay. For example, they may require that your account has maintained a balance of at least $5,000 for the previous 3 months. 

While traveling, is a good idea to carry proof of funds if you can. Particularly if you’re a digital nomad. Some countries require it before issuing a visa. This is a common requirement if you’re applying for a long-term visa such as a digital nomad visa.

8. Buy Proof of Onward Travel from a Travel Agent

Some travel agents offer onward travel as a service. They will email you a pre-booked ticket confirmation that you can use as proof of onward travel.

If you book your trip with a travel agent, they may offer this service for free. If not, they will charge for it. This service will probably cost somewhere around $30-$50.

Behind the scenes, the agent simply buys a refundable ticket in your name, sends you the confirmation email, then cancels the ticket for you after you arrive at your destination.

9. Talk Your Way Out of It

Sometimes you can talk your way out of having to provide proof of onward travel. If asked for proof of an onward ticket, you can tell the airline attendant or immigration official that you intend to leave overland or that you simply haven’t bought your return ticket yet. Sometimes they’ll just accept this answer and send you on your way. Sometimes they’ll ask you some follow-up questions or hassle you a bit then allow you to pass.

Whether or not this will work really depends on where you’re traveling, what you look like, how you behave, the mood of the immigration official, and luck. If you’re a smooth talker and look well-off, you might be able to talk your way out of it. If you look like a dirty and broke backpacker, you probably won’t have as much luck.

In my experience, this method usually works at land border crossings. If asked for onward travel, I tell the immigration official that I plan to leave overland by bus. In many cases, they will accept this answer. At airports, this method is hit or miss. Usually, it won’t work.

This is a risky option. The airline could refuse to let you board. An immigration official could refuse you entry or even deport you. If you can’t talk your way out of it, you’ll usually be given the option to buy a return ticket.

Forging a Ticket for Proof of Onward Travel

Some travelers create fake tickets to use as proof of onward travel. To do this, they use photo editing software or a word processor to create a realistic-looking flight confirmation. Some use a real confirmation email and change the flight info for an existing future flight. They edit in their name as well as the airline, flight time, and flight number from a real flight. They simply copy the flight info from an airline or booking site.

Services also exist that sell fake tickets. They have a template and simply enter your information then send you the ticket.

I do not recommend you forge a ticket for proof of onward travel. It is illegal and could get you into big trouble if you’re caught. By showing a fake ticket to an immigration official, you are lying to a government official. You are also breaking immigration law. If you’re caught, you could be denied entry, fined, deported, or even thrown in jail. You could be prohibited from returning to the country.

Showing a fake ticket to an airline employee is also a bad idea. They could refuse to allow you to board, cancel your ticket, and even turn you over to airport police for questioning. Forging a ticket is risky.

Another reason not to forge an onward ticket is because it’s easy for the airline or immigration official to find out that it’s fake. Remember, they can look you up in their flight database. If they see that you aren’t on the flight manifest, they know that the ticket isn’t valid. It won’t have a valid PNR code.

When you use the other methods outlined in this guide, you are not lying to anyone. You are acting within the law. When you use a fake ticket, you are at best lying and at worst committing a crime. There is really no reason to make a fake ticket because there are so many legal and free alternatives.

What Happens If I Show Up Without Proof of Onward Travel?

If you didn’t plan ahead and find yourself in a situation where you’re asked for proof of onward travel and you don’t have it, one of three things will happen. 

• A ticketing agent or immigration official will ask you to buy a ticket- This is the most common scenario. In this case, you’ll have to go to an airline ticketing counter and buy a ticket on the spot. Preferably a refundable ticket. If you have access to the internet, you could go online and buy a ticket.
• You’ll be denied entry- If you don’t have enough money to buy a ticket, the airline may simply not let you on the flight. In this case, you’ll just have to turn around and leave. If you’re at immigration, you could be denied entry. In this case, the airline may be forced to fly you to your home country. You’ll be deported.
• They’ll let you in anyway- In some cases, you may get lucky and they just let you in. Before this happens, you may be questioned and hassled. It really depends on the mood of the airline employee or immigration official. 

To reduce your likelihood of getting asked for proof of onward travel, try to dress nicely and look clean and well-groomed. Business casual clothing works well. Avoid looking like a dirty backpacker or a hippy. This draws negative attention.

Why Travelers Dislike These Rules

Backpackers, long-term travelers, those traveling to multiple countries, and digital nomads often experience issues with proving proof of onward travel. A few common situations where you may need to provide proof of onward travel include:

• Flying on a one way ticket- This is the most common scenario. Many long-term travelers like to buy one way tickets to keep their itinerary open or to save money. When you fly on a one way ticket, you’ll often need to show proof of onward travel.
• Applying for visas- Many countries require you to submit an onward or return flight ticket with your visa application. This can present a challenge if you plan to enter and exit overland or if you don’t know your exact travel dates. Maybe you want to get the visa before you buy your tickets. You will need to show proof of onward travel to get the visa.
• Entering by air and exiting overland- Maybe you plan to fly into a country and exit by bus, train, ferry, or on foot. In some cases, you can’t buy your ticket out of the country online in advance. For example, maybe you’re planning to travel to a border by public transport then cross on foot. You can’t buy a public transport ticket weeks in advance. You may still need to show proof of onward travel upon entry.
• Keeping your itinerary open- If you’re a spontaneous traveler, sometimes you don’t know how long you’ll want to stay in a particular country. Maybe you’ll want to stay 1 month or maybe you’ll want to stay 3 months. Sometimes you don’t know which country you want to visit next. Maybe you’re going to Thailand and you’re not sure if you want to travel to Cambodia or Malasyia next. You still need to show proof of onward travel.

My Experience with Proof of Onward Travel

When I travel, I usually fly into a country on a one-way ticket then travel overland to surrounding countries by bus or train. I usually fly home or to my next destination from a different country than I flew into.

When flying on a one-way ticket, I always make sure to have proof of onward travel because I never know when I’ll need it. I would estimate that I’m asked for proof of onward travel on about half of the one-way flights I take.

When crossing borders overland, I usually do not carry proof of onward travel. I have only been asked for it once when traveling from St. Petersburgh to Helsinki by ferry. Luckily, I had already booked an onward ticket out of Europe that the immigration agent accepted. I do not believe he would have let me through without an onward ticket. He was friendly but strict.

I have also had to provide proof of onward travel on a couple of occasions when applying for visas. Once when applying for a visa for India and once for a visa for Thailand. In both cases, I booked my return flight because I knew when I was leaving.

In the past, I have made fake tickets. I do not recommend trying this. It’s too risky and it’s against the law. These days, I always rent a ticket. Even though it costs money, I find it to be the fastest, easiest, and most reliable option. Having a real ticket gives me peace of mind. I won’t be denied entry.

Final Thoughts

The proof of onward travel requirement is a hassle for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers. You may need to show onward travel when flying on one-way or applying for visas. It is an essential travel document. Just like your passport. Luckily, there are some loopholes that you can use to get around this requirement.

The best method for providing proof of onward travel really depends on where in the world you are traveling, how long you plan to stay in the country you’re entering, and your budget. If you have room in your budget, I recommend renting a ticket. If you’re on a tight budget, consider booking a refundable ticket then canceling.

Some may argue that using these tricks is skirting the rules. This is not the case. All of the methods outlined in this guide are legitimate and legal. Travel agents have been using these tricks for ages.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to sort out your onward travel before heading to the airport. You don’t want to end up arguing with a check-in agent or immigration official and being forced to book an expensive ticket home on the spot. Hopefully, this guide makes your trip go a bit smoother.

How do you provide proof of onward travel? Share your experience in the comments below!

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Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Great article!

One thing to bear in mind is that when flying into the US having an onward ticket to Canada or Mexico (ie, a contiguous country) doesn't work for them, even if those countries are your actual genuine destination.

wheretheroadforks

Saturday 5th of August 2023

Good tip! I didn't know that. I've never had to deal with that because I'm a U.S. citizen.

Saturday 1st of July 2023

I will travel to US from Canada. Do you have experience with US immigration and onward tickets? It looks like if you check, the booking appears as pending full payment.

I've never had to deal with onward tickets in the US because I'm a citizen. I imagine they will ask for onward travel. I recommend you have it just in case.

Jason Taylor

Saturday 14th of November 2020

I bought a ticket from onewayfly website. Got ticket within 12 hours as they said. I checked the booking reference number on the main airline website, it was ok. Therefore, I don’t think the site is a scam.

Yosef Gabriel

Wednesday 11th of November 2020

Thank you so much for information for travel . I just use onward ticket visa for proof of onward travel . It cheaper . Hope this useful for you .

Onward Travel - Breakdown Cover Explained

We know that breakdown cover can be a dreary subject at the best of times, but here at CBC, we want to attempt to make it that little bit easier to understand. We’ve put together a whole host of articles explaining breakdown cover in a way that’s easy to understand in the hope that customers everywhere can be that bit better informed about the wonderful world of breakdown cover.

This one’s all about onward travel options, so settle in, grab a brew and prepare to be enlightened.

What is Onward Travel?

Onward travel is a benefit in your breakdown policy that allows you to be transported to a location of your choosing; this can be either your final destination, temporary accommodation such as a hotel or back to your home, generally this is done on a reimbursement basis. So you’ll pay the cost of the travel and your policy will pay you back the money after your claim.

It’s important to note that this specific benefit only applies when you are a certain distance from your home address, so you need to check your policy cover for the exact distance.

How Does it Work?

When you make a claim on your breakdown policy and your car has to be recovered to a garage and repairs aren’t easy or quick, if you have onward travel included in your policy, you may be offered the option of onward travel if your car can’t be fixed by the end of the working day.

It’s at this point that you’ll have a few options:

Public Transport

You can take buses, coaches, trains or equivalents to your desired location and be reimbursed the cost (up to a certain amount of money) of that journey. If public transport isn’t readily available, you may also take a taxi.

If you’d rather hire a car to continue your journey, then the onward travel cover in your policy will reimburse the cost (up to a certain amount) of hiring a car to get you to where you want to go.

On some policies the cost of returning and collect your vehicle when repaired is covered too.

• Alternative Accommodation

Whilst not technically, onward travel, alternative accommodation does fall into the category of onward travel. Your policy will cover the cost of reaching a nearby hotel and the price of a room per passenger up to a certain amount. Always check your policy to find out the exact amounts that you’ll be covered for.

Is Onward Travel Included in Every Breakdown Policy?

Onward travel is not always available in every breakdown policy. Just because you have breakdown cover, never assume you’re covered for onward travel too.

It’s really important you look through your policy carefully (including the policy wording) before you purchase, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money and what you’ll be covered for in the event you require onward travel.

Is there a Difference Between Onward Travel in UK and EU policies?

In truth, onward travel operates almost exactly the same, wherever you are. One major difference though between the UK and European policies is that more often than not the cost of onward travel is higher in Europe, simply because it’s likely you’ll have further to go. So, you’ll usually find that you’re afforded a higher reimbursement amount if you require onward travel in Europe than you would in the UK.

Check the policy wording of your breakdown cover before you buy to find out exactly how much you’ll be covered for.

Find Out More About Breakdown Cover

Want to learn more about breakdown cover and the different types of policy benefits you could be entitled to? We’ve put together a load of pages to help educate our customers and people looking for great breakdown cover, but who may not understand the ins and outs of insurance, take a look at some of our other “Breakdown Cover Explained” pages:

• Roadside Assistance
• Roadside Recovery
• Misfuelling Cover
• Puncture Cover
• Flat Battery Cover
• Motorway Fees

I Have More Questions…

No problem! Take a look at our FAQs page .

Still not satisfied? Head to our contact us page , type in your query and our customer service team will be in touch.

CBC is a trading name of Eversure Limited, Bury House, 1 Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4AW. Registered in England and Wales no. 6751893. Eversure Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Travel | Sustainability | Living Responsibly

What Countries Require Proof of Onward Travel

If you’re traveling to another country, you’re likely going to be asked for proof of onward travel. 

This usually takes place at the airport but, on some occasions, can happen when crossing land borders.

As for what countries require proof of onward travel, there are quite a few. 

A good number of Southeast Asian nations usually make this request, perhaps because of the many foreigners doing their regular visa runs.

Some countries will absolutely not let you get away with not having documented proof of onward travel. 

Thus, it helps to be aware in case you’re fairly new to globetrotting or happen to be traveling to any of the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• The United States of America
• Philippines
• Indonesia ( Sailing to Komodo National Park )

If you’re not too familiar with proof of onward travel or, for some reason, have never been asked to provide such verification, then it’s time for a bit of education. 

It’s important to engage in the right travel practices since this helps ensure that you encounter as few problems as possible on the road.

What You Need to Know About Proof of Onward Travel

In a nutshell, proof of onward travel is documented evidence supporting your departure from the destination country. 

It could take the form of a return ticket or another ticket to your home state or the next country you plan to head to.

If you’re crossing a land border, then you’ll be asked to provide a train of bus ticket back home. 

In some places, however, people in charge of going over the documents will specifically ask for a flight ticket.

Purpose of Proof of Onward Travel

Why do some countries require foreign travelers to present an onward ticket before granting them entry? 

There are probably several reasons, but, for the most part, these countries just want to make sure that:

• You have the money to travel back to your home country or another country.
• You intend to leave before the expiration of your visa.
• You don’t plan to stay in the country illegally.

Thinking about it, you’re probably realizing how proof of onward travel is not exactly the best way to ensure that the scenarios above take place.

At the end of the day, you need to abide by the travel rules and policies set by the destination country, regardless of what you think of them. 

It’s just like making sure you engage in the proper  safety practices when traveling abroad —you really have no choice in the matter if you want to have good travel experience.

Getting Proof of Onward Travel

Imagine being asked to provide proof of onward travel when you’ve just landed in a country that you didn’t know was very strict about this documentation. 

Yes, you never planned to stay in the country illegally, but the airport staff doesn’t know that. 

What do you do now?

Countries like Thailand , for instance, will absolutely require an onward ticket. 

If you happen to be traveling to this country or other countries as uncompromising when it comes to onward travel documents, you’ll want to find a way out immediately.

The internet is usually our go-to when it comes to problem-solving. 

While it may not be the most reliable way for travelers to access information, it is the fastest.

Plus, when you know where to look and how to verify information, then the pros of going online definitely outweigh the cons. 

Besides, we find it hard to believe that you’re doing a bad job with research—you’re here now, aren’t you?

So, moving on, what options do you have?

Be Brave and Trust That Nothing’s Going to Go Wrong

There’s just the slightest chance that you might not be asked for proof of onward travel. 

Despite this, you still need to be prepared in case airport officials end up asking you for it anyway.

The Problem

Being a seasoned traveler and all that, you probably know better than most that life is full of uncertainties: the weather could be off, a tour could get delayed, or traffic could be bad. 

Sometimes the day could seem perfect until the airport staff asks you to present an onward travel document that you don’t have.

You could find yourself in a situation that leaves you with no choice, other than the options below than to get an onward ticket. 

Plus, if time isn’t on your side, you might still end up missing your flight. 

Not to worry, though, since there are still other simpler and lower-risk alternatives to choose from.

Put Your Photoshop Skills to Work

What does Photoshop have to do with this? 

Well, since you’re pressed for time and really want to make it to your flight, try editing an old email confirmation sent by another airline.

If you decide to go for this option, make sure the important details, such as the departure time and flight number, actually exist; otherwise, you could get into some trouble.

Ultimate Ayahuasca Experience in Peru

You can also start booking flights with other travel agencies and then take a screencap of the check-out page. 

Then, put those creative cropping skills to work so you’ll have a legit-looking document on your phone to present at the gate.

This option can work for you or it won’t. After all, when it comes to ethics, there are lines we just don’t want to cross. 

If this is something you just can’t bear to do, then don’t do it. 

We’re sure you’ll find at least one or two of the other options on this list acceptable.

If you do decide to take this route, you need to be aware of the risks involved. 

While details of your onward flight are unlikely to be verified at the gate, it still puts you in a position where you’re vulnerable to accusations of purposely committing forgery on official documents. 

This choice leaves you with little to no options to defend yourself and completely at the mercy of airport officials. 

Purchase a Ticket With a Flexible Date

If you forgot to look into what countries require proof of onward travel and ended up booking a one-way ticket to one, then fret not as there’s an effective way to skirt around this problem. 

What you want to do is purchase a flexible date ticket to navigate the bumps and potholes of onward travel policies efficiently.

The problem with these tickets, though, is that they can cause a hefty sum, which is considerably higher than your regular flight ticket.

So yes, it’s expensive.

Plus, if you check out some of the local airlines offering seats at 50 percent off, then the more you’re going to be on the fence about this pricey alternative. 

Ultimately, you’re going to be left to answer this question: Is it worth it?

Get a Cheap Throwaway Ticket

To be clear, this option isn’t exactly cheap. 

Yes, you’re required to purchase the cheapest airline tickets available, but it’s still going to cost a considerable amount of money.

The great thing about this, though, is that it does allow you to beat the system effectively. 

The most policy-abiding airline staff will tell you the same thing.

The Drawback

In some scenarios, you can get away with purchasing bus or train tickets to other countries, although it seems that this approach is a lot less foolproof. 

In any case, this strategy will require you to well, throw away cash.

Expensive? Yes. Effective? Also, yes.

Hold on to Your Flight Ticket for an Entire Day

Airline companies in the USA, as well as a good number of travel agencies, are required to provide a 24-hour ticket “hold” period for their customers. 

This method allows you to reserve a ticket for a certain price for an entire day. 

The will then sent an email confirmation, which you can show to an airport official when asked for proof of onward travel.

If nothing goes wrong, then this should be a really great method for navigating around those onward travel regulations. 

In some cases, though, flight reservations will be questioned. 

Luck probably has a lot to do with this, but it’s difficult to say. 

For the most part, you should find your way around onward travel woes relatively unscathed when you use this strategy.

If it still doesn’t work, then perhaps you can rely on the next option. 

What’s awesome about our next choice is that it helps give you peace of mind, which is necessary for  healthy traveling .

Rent an Onward Ticket

Ticket rentals are a thing, and they are great for beating the age-old system of onward ticket documentation.

Before, providers only offered the “holding tickets for 24 hours” service, but then gradually started improving on their service, delivering more sophisticated options for frequent flyers for a relatively small fee.  

This is a highly recommended option because it now means you’ll appear on the airport systems, which is such a great thing for your peace of mind.

Proof of Onward Travel

There’s no questioning the inconvenience of being asked to provide an onward travel document. 

However, as the globetrotting individual that you are, this is something you have to accept and deal with properly.

Being informed and having a plan can go a long way to keeping you from getting stuck at the airport and not being granted entry to your flight. 

If you’re traveling to countries in Southeast Asia, like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, or places in South America, like Peru, Brazil, and Costa Rica, you need to prepare for their more stringent onward travel policies. 

The same expectations should hold for destinations like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States of America.

There are a few simple options that could work for you, with some of the best and most effective being renting an onward ticket for a small fee or holding your flight ticket for 24 hours.

Last Piece of Advice

You must also prepare yourself for airport officials who could be feeling particularly overzealous that day and won’t stop asking questions.

If they ask why you’re only holding and not purchasing the ticket, tell them you forgot or are waiting to see if the price changes. 

You shouldn’t find it too difficult to make up an excuse. Do Babies Need a Passport to Travel

Whatever method you decide on, you should never hesitate to flash a smile or show some friendliness to the airport staff. 

If this is how you truly are as a person, then you’ll likely be on the receiving end of way fewer questions and, if you’re really lucky, a free seating upgrade.

Onward Ticket Guide: How to Get an Onward Ticket for Free

By: Author Kenny

Posted on Last updated: April 27, 2023

Since you’re here, you’ve probably heard of an onward ticket and wondered when you need one and how to get one. Well, as I write this, I’m sitting on a plane to Bangkok from Hong Kong. The next flight I have booked is from Bangkok to Tokyo in two weeks. But I’m not going to Tokyo in two weeks. In two weeks, I won’t be in Bangkok, I’ll be in Chiang Mai. And when I leave Thailand, it won’t be by air, it will be by land, through the Thailand/Laos border.

So why do we have this ticket booked? Well…

Visa Basics and Onward Travel

Thailand sometimes requires proof of onward travel. No matter where you travel, whether you obtain a visa in advance or on arrival, or stay visa-free in a country on a tourist visa, you’ll be limited in the amount of time you can stay. Sometimes it is 15 days, sometimes 30, sometimes 90, or anywhere in between, more, or less.

When you arrive at a country and pass through immigration or passport control, they’re expecting you to leave within your allotted time. And sometimes (in some countries, always) they ask for proof. And that’s why you need an “onward ticket.”

An onward ticket is a ticket that “proves” that you aren’t planning to overstay your visa. Typically, requests for onward tickets come from one of two sources. The airline at your departure airport may ask for it before they print you a ticket or let you board. If not, immigration authorities may ask for it after you land.

Do you need an onward ticket?

When in doubt, yes, you need an onward ticket. There are many low-risk ways to get an onward ticket (we discuss these next), so you should have one to ensure a smooth trip. If you’re really uneasy, we suggest a Google search for “[country] onward ticket proof” or “[airport] onward ticket proof.” We’ve been asked for proof of onward travel at only about 25% of destinations, for what it’s worth.

For most travelers, an onward ticket is simple enough to produce. You’re visiting Bangkok from Chicago, so you book a roundtrip flight from Chicago to Bangkok. In that case, your onward ticket is your return ticket. But what if you’re leaving your destination by bus? Or you just don’t know where you’re heading next until the last second when you book a flight? Then you won’t have an onward ticket when you arrive, and if they ask for one, you’re out of luck! So, you need to create an onward ticket. There are a few ways to create an onward ticket.

Option 1: Buy an onward ticket with a 24-hour cancellation policy

This is our preferred method. You buy a ticket that has a 24-hour hassle-free cancellation policy. We prefer United Airlines for these tickets because we’ve been through their cancellation process before and found it straightforward. But plenty of sites, like Expedia, offer 24-hour cancellation on SOME tickets. The biggest risk of this option is that you’ll forget to cancel or something will get in your way (maybe a browser error or a technical error on the airline’s side).

Option 2: Buy a refundable or changeable onward ticket

Plenty of airlines offer refundable fares that you can cancel at any time up until departure. Others offer fares that allow you to change the date of the flight but not get a refund. The risk of this option is, again, that you’ll forget to cancel. You have a longer window than if you are planning to use the 24-hour cancellation option, but you’ll also have to put a lot more money on the line to secure these fares.

Option 3: Buy a cheap “throwaway ticket”

In some countries, you can fight onward tickets for less than $50. These aren’t refundable in any way. This option is best used in South America, Asia, and some European countries, but we really think it should be a last resort. You’re basically throwing away money. But at least it will be less than if you forget to refund your tickets in option 1 or 2.

Option 4: Hold an onward ticket

For US-based airlines, if you can’t cancel a ticket within 24 hours you can typically “hold” it for 24 hours without purchasing it. Some bloggers advocate this method because it is no-risk on the financial end. It is slightly more of a risk on the passport control end, though, as you obviously have not purchased the ticket.

Option 5: Tell a more direct lie with Photoshop

The last option, which we don’t advocate at all, is simply to use Photoshop (or another program) to make up a ticket. This is no-risk on the financial end, but HUGE risk on the immigration end. It’s unlikely for most of us that we’ll ever be seriously questioned by immigration authorities, but it can happen, and a photoshopped ticket is not a good way to start that conversation.

Of course, all five methods involve a bit of a lie, but travel plans change, and everyone from immigration to airlines knows this. If Thai immigration told me I had to leave on the flight I showed them at my time of arrival, then certainly I would. Since they won’t, my plans are probably going to change and I’m probably going to be leaving Thailand by bus.

A Final Wrinkle – Return Tickets

In most cases, proof of onward travel is all immigration (or the airline) is looking for. In rare cases, though, they’ll want more, they’ll want proof that you’re actually planning on returning home. This only happened to us once, flying from Orlando to Medellin. At check-in, the airline representative asked us to produce proof of onward travel, which we had from Bogota to Lima. She wasn’t satisfied (and maybe this was her error), and we eventually produced a ticket from Santiago, Chile to Chicago. She didn’t ask for the flights in between (though we were clear we could produce all of them if she wanted).  We don’t know what to make of this, as it hasn’t been an issue since.

We are pretty fortunate and have never run into any travel-stopping issues regarding Visas or immigration. Have you? Let us know in the comments below. 

Wednesday 13th of June 2018

Well, you really lucky if it only happens to you guys once. I had 3 times the problem this year, when I went to Bali, Taiwan and South Korea. The first time I just bought a ticket on Air Asia, it was really cheap. The two other times I used that website where you can buy real onward ticket for really cheap : https://onewayfly.com/en/

Happy travel :)

Saturday 23rd of June 2018

Hi Leila! I agree! I am definitely appreciating how lucky we were. We just had an issue recently with an onward ticket form the UK, and I'm sure it won't be the last time. Thanks for the tip on One Way Fly! We will have to check that out next time.

AA breakdown cover review

Discover what you can expect with aa breakdown cover, and the cover options available to you..

In this guide

What types of policies are on offer?

Claims process, customer reviews, pros and cons, our verdict, frequently asked questions.

Breakdown cover types

Breakdown cover length

Breakdown cover by car

Breakdown providers

The AA, or Automobile Association, was founded in 1905. It’s most famous for providing car breakdown cover to motorists across the UK and helps around 3.5 million people a year. We’ve looked at what level of service you can expect to receive with AA breakdown cover.

The AA provides roadside assistance if your car breaks down as standard. It has its own unique recovery fleet and it’ll provide you a hire car or hotel if needed.

You can choose to add optional extras, such as personal cover (in anyone’s car), home rescue and onward travel.

If you need assistance from the AA, you can call 0800 88 77 66 or use the AA app.

The AA fared well in our 2024 customer satisfaction survey of breakdown service customers – it came third, with 89% of its customers saying they’d recommend the service to a friend. Most customers praised the “reliable” service and “felt in safe hands”, although not all felt the service had arrived quickly when they’d needed it.

One said: “They helped me quickly knowing I had children in the car.”

Another commented: “Always there – albeit rather slowly – when needed. The people who come out to save you are always amazing!”

The AA has received over 75,000 reviews on Trustpilot and has a score of 4.4 out of 5, which is classed as “excellent” (last updated: February 2024).

• According to recent data, the AA can repair 8 out of 10 cars at the roadside within 30 minutes
• Highly recommended by its members
• 24-hour telephone assistance
• Personal cover and onward travel only available as a paid add-on

The AA is probably the most well-known car breakdown service in the UK, but there are a few providers that offer a more comprehensive service as standard.

Get started by visiting The AA’s website and sign up for a policy. If you have read this review and decided that The AA breakdown cover is not for you, you can also compare other breakdown cover policies on the market.

Can you pay monthly for AA membership?

Yes, it’s possible to pay a monthly premium.

Can you join the AA when you're already broken down?

Yes, but it will likely cost you a high premium.

What is AA Home Start?

This is breakdown cover within a quarter of a mile of your house.

Breakdown cover ratings

Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.

To find out more, read our full methodology .

Danny Butler

Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio

• Car, home and business insurance
• Helping people save money on their insurance
• Project management
• Giving valuable insights to website visitors

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