Attending the Interview and 1 way ticket

[PA2DR 140]

I plan on attending the interview with my fiancé. My plan is to buy a one way ticket to DR, then after everything is said and done buy both of our return tickets while we are down there and have the vida in hand. Well this pose a problem when I arrive? Will they ask me why I don't have a return flight? I know they give us immigration sheets on the plane and its a question on the sheet. I am not sure how to go about this. I will have a leave of absence at work so I have the time. Do I just book a return ticket say 2 weeks out? TIA 

[T_P 872]

12 minutes ago, PA2DR said:

Well this pose a problem when I arrive? Will they ask me why I don't have a return flight?

I dont ever remember been asked on a sheet, what may happen is immigration asking you when you intent to leave, with that said, you can give them an estimate because of you husband interview. I dont think that it would be that big of a deal. 

[PA2DR 140]

OK, they ask for a return date and flight number.  

[TNJ17 1,329]

That depends on the rules of that country for foreign visitors. You need to check that. Also, NO, do not buy any plane tickets to the US for the beneficiary. You never know what will happen at the interview. Things are very unpredictable when it comes to immigration. Even if you do get approved on the spot, your application goes into automatic AP and no one can tell how long it will take. Some people have reported days, some weeks, some months, and some even years. Buying a one-way ticket for the beneficiary is fine but AFTER you receive passport with visa back in your hands.

[PA2DR 140]

Thank you! I will check into that. I don't plan on buying anything until we have the visa and that passport.  Ive read too many horror stories.  

[hf2018 19]

For the DR, it does not matter. Buy your one way ticket.

[PA2DR 140]

Thank you 

[Daniela M_______ 410]

3 hours ago, PA2DR said:

OK, they ask for a return date and flight number.  

It really depends of the country you are going. For most countries you doneed to have a return flight within the time allowed stay for tourists  (ex. 6 months) if this is the case, they would check that before boarding the plane. Airlines get fines if they arrive to destination with a passenger that don't met the criteria to travel there. (ex. If I try to take a flight to the US the airline wouldn't let me board the plane if I don't have a valid visa). Best option is to contact your airline or travel agency and be sure of the requirements because of course there are always exceptions

[De&E 15]

Depending on the airline, they may ask for proof of a return ticket when you are checking in.  Up until last year, I had only been asked once. This year I have been asked on all three trips to DR, on different airlines. 

 

You have several options.  

 

1.  Buy a refundable ticket for the return leg.  You can then change it to the date that you need. 

 

2.  Purchase a return ticket for a date at least ten days after the interview.  This should allow time for the visa to process, and be returned.  You are still taking a chance, but you should be okay.

 

3.  Purchase your trip as two one way tickets. The day of your flight to DR, purchase your return ticket for any date,  on any airline, directly from the airline website.  Print out your confirmation.  After arriving in DR, cancel the ticket.  By law, airlines have to give you 24 hours to cancel your ticket, with no penalty.  But read the fine print on the website before purchasing.  You can then purchase your return tickets after you have the visa in hand.  

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2018 by De&E

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*country-specific question moved to Caribbean regional forum. Question about entering the Dominican Republic*~*~*

[Sav&Har 142]

My fiancee had came from both mayor airports, Santiago (STI) and Santo Domingo (SDQ). On a one-way ticket, both times traveling with Delta, she was never asked for return proof. Not even when leaving the US nor after going through immigration on here.

 

As a way to avoid any possible issues. She had purchased a cheap one-way ticket back to the US to any random state and a random date, printed the ticket confirmation email, and cancelled them after entry and within 24h with no issues. She was never asked for it, anyway.

[TogoAfrica 161]

10 hours ago, PA2DR said:

I plan on attending the interview with my fiancé. My plan is to buy a one way ticket to DR, then after everything is said and done buy both of our return tickets while we are down there and have the vida in hand. Well this pose a problem when I arrive? Will they ask me why I don't have a return flight? I know they give us immigration sheets on the plane and its a question on the sheet. I am not sure how to go about this. I will have a leave of absence at work so I have the time. Do I just book a return ticket say 2 weeks out? TIA 

I buy one way tickets all the time to Togo Africa and have never had problems. I just answer truthfully...no I don’t have a return ticket....and how long am I staying....well that depends so I put a guess. Have done that for four years and have had no problems 

[jeanita68 231]

I go to DR every month visit my husband and at times ...lots of times..i only brought a one way ..if im unsure of my exact date im leaving DR on the blue slip i usual just put an estimated date i will return to my country.

[PA2DR 140]

10 hours ago, De&E said:

Depending on the airline, they may ask for proof of a return ticket when you are checking in.  Up until last year, I had only been asked once. This year I have been asked on all three trips to DR, on different airlines. 

 

You have several options.  

 

1.  Buy a refundable ticket for the return leg.  You can then change it to the date that you need. 

 

2.  Purchase a return ticket for a date at least ten days after the interview.  This should allow time for the visa to process, and be returned.  You are still taking a chance, but you should be okay.

 

3.  Purchase your trip as two one way tickets. The day of your flight to DR, purchase your return ticket for any date,  on any airline, directly from the airline website.  Print out your confirmation.  After arriving in DR, cancel the ticket.  By law, airlines have to give you 24 hours to cancel your ticket, with no penalty.  But read the fine print on the website before purchasing.  You can then purchase your return tickets after you have the visa in hand.  

 

 

 

Thank you!!!

[Unlockable 7,314]

20 hours ago, PA2DR said:

I plan on attending the interview with my fiancé. My plan is to buy a one way ticket to DR, then after everything is said and done buy both of our return tickets while we are down there and have the vida in hand. Well this pose a problem when I arrive? Will they ask me why I don't have a return flight? I know they give us immigration sheets on the plane and its a question on the sheet. I am not sure how to go about this. I will have a leave of absence at work so I have the time. Do I just book a return ticket say 2 weeks out? TIA 

You should be fine with that plan.

 

The only issue I can foresee is Administrative Processing (AP). What happens if your fiance's case is in AP for several weeks? Or even a few months? Can you afford to stay that long?

Not saying it will happen but it is a possibility you should be aware of.