How long is the stay likely to be (allowed)? And can someone enter without round trip ticket?

[newbster 4]

Hi,

 

My mother in law has been granted a tourist visa from Philippines. We are going to buy her ticket for her. I read the guide and it seems she'll get an I-94 form at her port of entry. This will tell us how long she can stay.

 

How do people usually handle this? We aren't able to buy a round trip ticket because we don't know when she has to return.

 

Will this cause problems at port of entry since her ticket won't be round trip? If we buy a round trip how long should we expect that she'll (usually) be allowed to stay?

 

Thanks

[Dashinka 24,498]

Assuming a B2, I believe the length of stay can be up to 6 months.  Personally, I would not have her travel  on a one way ticket as CBP can still turn her away if they think she does not plan on leaving.  I think it would be more of an issue if she were turned around then having to change an airline ticket even with the cost of the change.

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

Are you saying she doesn't have a return ticket?????  BIG RED FLAG!!!!!!   What proof do you have that she will return???!?

Edited June 13, 2017 by missileman

[az2014 381]

17 minutes ago, newbster said:

Hi,

 

My mother in law has been granted a tourist visa from Philippines. We are going to buy her ticket for her. I read the guide and it seems she'll get an I-94 form at her port of entry. This will tell us how long she can stay.

 

How do people usually handle this? We aren't able to buy a round trip ticket because we don't know when she has to return.

 

Will this cause problems at port of entry since her ticket won't be round trip? If we buy a round trip how long should we expect that she'll (usually) be allowed to stay?

 

Thanks

This makes no sense.

 

Max stay is 6 months. So she gets a return ticket within that time frame...like everyone else.

[Umka36 781]

Buying a one way ticket is just asking for problems with CBP. I'm curious of what your MIL said to the CO during her visa interview (purpose/length of stay). If she said I'll be visiting for a month, then buy the plane ticket according to that schedule. If they stamp 6 months, then she can always extend the stay and change the return flight. 

[Joe&LuMa 77]

every passenger on B2 must have RT ticket, othervise airline won't accept Her on the flight. She will be denied from flight.. Sorry but that is the rule..What  you can do, you can buy flexible ticket and change the date of return flight.

[mindthegap 2,590]

It may cause problems, it may not. Depends on the agent at the POE.

From a country with a reasonable fraud/overstay risk, and considering the family ties to the US, it would certainly be worth considering having proof of the intention to depart the US or significant funds to enable purchase of a ticket at a later date, as it may help put to rest any doubts the officer at the POE has. 

 

One solution for peace of mind would be to buy a one way fully flexible full fare ticket and cancel for a full refund when in the US, and you can then book nearer the time, when the date of return is known.

Or, book a semi-flex return as normal, then change the return date when in the US - although with this method there will be a ticket change fee, plus a potential difference in fare.

 

 

2 hours ago, Joe&LuMa said:

every passenger on B2 must have RT ticket, othervise airline won't accept Her on the flight. She will be denied from flight.. Sorry but that is the rule..

This is not true.

 

Edited June 14, 2017 by mindthegap

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

There are a multitude of cases where people (tourist visas) with one way tickets were denied boarding flights to the US. The chances are high that she would be denied, too.

[NYCruiser 423]

1 hour ago, missileman said:

There are a multitude of cases where people (tourist visas) with one way tickets were denied boarding flights to the US. The chances are high that she would be denied, too.

Agreed. The airline is responsible for the flight back PLUS fines if the passenger is refused entry on a B2 visa.

[Auds 223]

41 minutes ago, NYCruiser said:

Agreed. The airline is responsible for the flight back PLUS fines if the passenger is refused entry on a B2 visa.

Hmm ... i have never shown my return ticket it was often not linked to the same airline.

[Boiler 45,516]

VWP requires a return ticket, or onward at least.

 

I think you are looking at this back to front, presumably she knows how long she wants to visit?

[jan22 3,056]

2 hours ago, NYCruiser said:

Agreed. The airline is responsible for the flight back PLUS fines if the passenger is refused entry on a B2 visa.

Not exactly true.  The airline is responsible if they bring a passenger without proper documents to apply for entry into the US.  That means a visa, a visa waver country passport with ESTA approval, etc.  They are not responsible for such a passenger if US immigration denies entry.

 

OP:  It is usually much cheaper to buy a round-trip ticket than a one-way.  So, buy a ticket for the length of stay you want and pay the fee to change it if you need to.  Will likely still be cheaper than a one-way ticket.

[mrx3214 4]

If she stays up to six months. Keep in mind won't be allowed to travel back to the US for one year.  When you come over they ask her. How long are planning on staying. They also want to see the return ticket home. They may even ask how much money she has and where she is staying. If the officer believes she might over stay. They will cancel her tourist visa. She will be on the next flight home. 

[millefleur 5,046]

Just wanted to add my own thoughts here: be extremely happy that she got a visa! That's already huge. Now play it safe and get the return ticket for her so you won't run the risk of messing up her chances to visit the US again.

 

I totally agree with @jan22: in my experience, round trip tickets are significantly cheaper than one ways.

[Umka36 781]

20 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Just wanted to add my own thoughts here: be extremely happy that she got a visa! That's already huge. Now play it safe and get the return ticket for her so you won't run the risk of messing up her chances to visit the US again.

 

I totally agree with @jan22: in my experience, round trip tickets are significantly cheaper than one ways.

It really depends on the country. Based on what I hear, folks from the Philippines are able to get cheaper tickets one way.