Ms

[Ms tee 0]

Has anyone else ever been denied check in because they don't have a return ticket traveling to the US?

i was denied to check in this morning because I don't have a return ticket and apparently when traveling on a B2 visa you need a return ticket or you won't be allowed in the US

[abum 324]

for obvious reasons, airline would assume people with non immigrant visa to stay TEMPORARILY at the country they wanted to go - without return ticket, how can one say that one would just be there for a short period of time as one had not even think about the flight to go back home?

[Unlockable 7,315]

Most airlines won't let you board without a return ticket. It is to help prevent people from overstaying.

 

What were your travel plans?

[Boiler 45,939]

Not required for a B

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Sounds like the airline was being preemptive. Number 1 on danger sign list for overstay = lack of return ticket.

 

[Ms tee 0]

my plans were 3 weeks to a month, so since I wasn't sure about the dates, I thought I would just book my return from that side. Besides I thought the fact my visa only allows for 3 months would be enough assurance that I'd be coming back home.

[Boiler 45,939]

90 days?

 

Sounds more like the VWP

[Unlockable 7,315]

18 minutes ago, Ms tee said:

my plans were 3 weeks to a month, so since I wasn't sure about the dates, I thought I would just book my return from that side. Besides I thought the fact my visa only allows for 3 months would be enough assurance that I'd be coming back home.

It is the border agent that determines how long you stay. The agent could have only given you 5 days stay.

 

Usually you are permitted for 6 months stay with a visitor visa. VWP are only allowed for 90 days (not to be confused with 3 months. Thanks for the reminder, @Boiler). Please clarify which were you attempting to enter on.

Edited November 21, 2017 by NuestraUnion

[Boiler 45,939]

VWP is 90 days

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

23 minutes ago, Ms tee said:

my plans were 3 weeks to a month, so since I wasn't sure about the dates, I thought I would just book my return from that side. Besides I thought the fact my visa only allows for 3 months would be enough assurance that I'd be coming back home.

Um...no. Data show that a huge percentage of the illegals in the US are visa overstays, not people sneaking across the rio grande.

(Btw not being sure about a return date in itself is a red flag for the US because it implies you don’t have a strong job commitment to return to. When did you get your visa btw?)

 

 

19 minutes ago, Boiler said:

90 days?

 

Sounds more like the VWP

VWP holders are required to have return or onward tickets.

[Ms tee 0]

I am in possession of a B2 visa, I have been given a month's leave at work but my plans were to spend the last week back here at home, a little bit of rest maybe before I go back to work. However, I thought what if three weeks become too long and what if I enjoy it and decide to stay until I have to come back to work. I guess I should have given it more thought

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

15 minutes ago, Ms tee said:

I am in possession of a B2 visa, I have been given a month's leave at work but my plans were to spend the last week back here at home, a little bit of rest maybe before I go back to work. However, I thought what if three weeks become too long and what if I enjoy it and decide to stay until I have to come back to work. I guess I should have given it more thought

Yup, best to get a flexible ticket then, so that you have the return booked but are able to change the date if necessary. With a month’s leave hopefully you still have time to visit.

One upside of this is that being denied boarding is way, way better than being denied entry at the border by CBP.

 

[Ms tee 0]

I guess it is. I have booked myself another ticket , this time a return ticket.

[az2014 381]

You do NOT need a return ticket to travel on a B2. Not sure what happened at check in but they should have allowed you.

 

Saying that not having one is very odd and would have given a red flag to the CBP at the POE and could have resulted in you being turned back. Maybe the airline staff thought they were doing you a favour, but it was not their decision to make.

 

Im surprised you just let them stop you from checking in. Did you not go online and find the relevant info that shows you do not require a return ticket to board the plane?

[Ms tee 0]

I did. But that was of no help as they insisted I can't . So eventually I changed the date and booked a return ticket