SIL - Tourist visit - Likely to be denied at POE?

[Daisy.Chain 317]

Good morning!

We are inviting my sister-in-law from the Dominican Republic to visit. She has a 10 year mulitiple-entry tourist visa, and she came last year for about a month for the wedding and festivities. She would like to come this year for about 6 weeks or so for Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year; well within the 6 months.

We bought her a one-way ticket here because it was cheaper due to some discounts we had. I am worried that she may get denied at POE because she does not have a return ticket. However, our travel plans aren't definite yet for after new year's, and we weren't sure what airport to fly her out of. She does have the passport stamps showing that she left on time for the last visit. How likely is it she could be denied at POE? An plane ticket is expensive to change!

I thought about writing her a letter of invitation clearly indicating the 2 week time period we're looking at for her departure, but figured it wouldn't make any difference.

Thoughts?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Plane tickets aren't that expensive to changes, maybe $100-200 at most. It's best to have a return date always.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Having a one-way ticket invites CBP to take a closer look at her and possibly deny her entry.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

***** Moving from Bringing Family to Tourist visa forum ****

[az2014 381]

I would not be surprised if she was denied entry - she cannot show any onward travel.

Pretty silly to not have a return ticket.

[HFM181818 750]

she could get hauled into secondary or be admitted for a shorter period of time...

[nab-400 16]

Ok I am not sure why a one way will get her denied, when my mother first time visited me we paid one way ticket for her, because the plan was to land in USA and stay for about a month and then I will drive her to Canada and stay for another month with my sister there and from there she will go back to home country. Another time we paid a one way ticket because we did not know when she will return so she stayed for three months and go back after I paid for a one way ticket back home. She never had any issues

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

It won't get her denied for sure, it it is going to be a red flag at the border.

[Boiler 45,466]

Odd that a single is cheaper, firm up her travel plans and get a return.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

so, just buy the other ticket to return home and have that itinerary with you to show you will return home

[rbooth 0]

just buy another one way ticket home, then when she got here you can refund it. off course there will be fee..

[Daisy.Chain 317]

We decided on getting the return ticket out of the way now. Can't wait to see her!

[BlueSteel 3]

Having a one way ticket is not an automatic refusal into the U.S. However your sister in law should expect more questions. She would have to overcome a burden of proof she not an intended immigrant.

Edited November 16, 2015 by BlueSteel