Return Ticket for Fiancee in order to get into the USA

[chwolff11 1]

Hello,

I just bought my fiancee's ticket to come to the USA for the first time on the K1 visa. United said that she has to show a return ticket in order to get into the USA so I bought a 2,000 fully refundable one way return.

Is that true that you have to have a return ticket for the K1 visa?

Thanks,

Christian

[Californiansunset 336]

Hello,

I just bought my fiancee's ticket to come to the USA for the first time on the K1 visa. United said that she has to show a return ticket in order to get into the USA so I bought a 2,000 fully refundable one way return.

Is that true that you have to have a return ticket for the K1 visa?

Thanks,

Christian

A K1 visa has, unlike many other visas, an immigration intent. No, a return ticket is not required for this entry. United just didn't know (and why would they?!) that a K1 visa is technically an immigrant visa. Often tickets with a return flight are cheaper though.

If you pay for her flight and are not flying with her to the U.S. I would make sure that United will let her check in without the credit card holder being present. There's been problems with certain airlines.

Edited November 6, 2016 by Californiansunset

[Hypnos 6,576]

No.

K visas are dual intent.

[bowens44 214]

United is wrong. No return ticket required. The intent of the K-1 is that she come to the US , get married and stay.

[Dutchster 1,107]

Usually people (like me) book a round way ticket to prevent the high amount of money from a one way ticket. You simply just cancel ththe flight back a few days before departing. No money back but $1000 cheaper than one-way. United provided you false information.

[Scandi 4,166]

It was just as cheap for us to buy one-way only than to buy two-way and then get a refund on the return ticket (with Norwegian) so obviously we only bought one-way. There were no problems at all.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

One way. Sometimes roung trip tickets are cheaper depending on where they are flying from.

In our case a one way is the cheapest route.

[Stevephoto 230]

Be sure to CANCEL the return trip (even if you do not get a refund/partial refund for the unused portion) if you get a round trip ticket. I have read about situations where someone's name was on the airline's list (I forgot the technical term) and this created a problem later when USCIS thought the person left the country before filing AOS with AP. Big hassle for that person. One-way worked fine for us. Good luck.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Hello,

I just bought my fiancee's ticket to come to the USA for the first time on the K1 visa. United said that she has to show a return ticket in order to get into the USA so I bought a 2,000 fully refundable one way return.

Is that true that you have to have a return ticket for the K1 visa?

Thanks,

Christian

United is right in that you need a return ticket to enter the US as a visitor. Did you explain that your fiancé has an immigrant visa in her passport? When you have an approved immigrant visa, you don't need a return ticket.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

No my then Fiance traveled here on a one way ticket. No problem at all.

There have been many many posts here about that same topic before.

Edited November 6, 2016 by LionessDeon

[B-2-Z 37]

Hello neighbor As others have said just make sure the return portion gets cancelled.

[B and H 18]

Be sure to CANCEL the return trip (even if you do not get a refund/partial refund for the unused portion) if you get a round trip ticket. I have read about situations where someone's name was on the airline's list (I forgot the technical term) and this created a problem later when USCIS thought the person left the country before filing AOS with AP. Big hassle for that person. One-way worked fine for us. Good luck.

I've heard this before and I don't believe it. Do you have any sources? The record keeping required of airlines makes it hard to believe that someone who did not board a flight would be left on a manifest or list somewhere for USCIS to see.

[NikLR 13,227]

I've heard this before and I don't believe it. Do you have any sources? The record keeping required of airlines makes it hard to believe that someone who did not board a flight would be left on a manifest or list somewhere for USCIS to see.

Their I-94 can show a departure. Search the forums. It's happened.

[Stevephoto 230]

I've heard this before and I don't believe it. Do you have any sources? The record keeping required of airlines makes it hard to believe that someone who did not board a flight would be left on a manifest or list somewhere for USCIS to see.

I agree with you in principle, but I have read on at least one occasion (here on VJ, sorry I don't have the specific link--I've gone through 1,000's of posts in 4 years) that it has happened. Why take a chance when the solution--cancel the return trip or buy one way. Manifest---that's the word...thanks!

[B and H 18]

Sure, the solution is easy. I'm not recommending that anyone not cancel the unused portion of their trip.

But it seems the problem is an overzealous I-94 system. The airline itself would know the person did not board the flight. That's all I was hoping to clarify.