Is it mandatory to get the return ticket for Visitor Visa?

[sunilv]

Hi,

My mom got the visitor visa and planning to travle to US in Nov. Is it mandatory to show the return ticket for her at Port of Entry?

We are planning to take her back to India with us in next April. Can we get her return ticket along with our ticket after reaching here or a return ticket is must for a visitor visa holder?

Please someone reply to me as soon as possible. Thanks

[revertback]

No

No it is Not mandatory but the time she can spend here depends on till how long I-94 form is stamped ,if it stamped for 3 month she has to return back in 3 month.

[sunilv]

Whether the officer at port of entry checks that the visitor has a return ticket with them?
Can we tell the officer that the return ticket will be obtained after I-94 form is stamped?

[GC2007]

As far as i know its not a must but if they ask ur mom when is she planning to go back she need to answer but if you have a planned ticket its always better...

[apsingla]

That's what we have been told by our travel agent (who is a family friend too) that if you have a visitor Visa and you are not taking return ticket with you... it may create problem at the AIRPORT.

[knowledgeable]

never checked ticket at a'port

immigration officials never check or ask for air tickets [return] at the a'port [poe]

if single ticket is cheaper you can surely get it

you can get a one year valid return ticket with return date open

it'll still be cheaper than two single tickets

[apsingla]

Actually My parents and brother have canadian immigration. We are planning that they come to USA first and then from here they will go to Canada.

My parents are going back to India so they do not have any problem buying Return ticket but my brother would come to USA and will go to Canada for studies. We do not know when he would go to India.

Is it ok to buy Two return tickets (for parents) and 1 One-Way ticket (fpr brother)?

[sunilv]

My mom is in Visit Visa in US. We all are planning to go back to India in the same trip. Me and my wife are GC holders. We want to get a one day stop at Dubai. Is it possible to get the transit at Dubai for my mom also?

[knowledgeable]

Why not?

Why not? Sure you can get 1 way tickets if that's more viable to you.
You can stop over anywhere outside the US, except for restricted countries (if so then you'll be asked questions).

The point is that the immigration officials @ POE in US don't ask for return tickets or proof of the same.

However, if you're in the US on a visitor visa and go to Canada for a visit, when you return back to the US, there you may need the return tickets as additional proof that this person has a guaranteed mode of transfer to the home country.

If you're flying out of Canada back to your country w/o going through US, you can do as you wish.

Take care.

[PraetorianXI]

As far as I know, in some countries the airlines DEMAND a return ticket and proof of visa before traveling to the USA. If you can not produce both, then you can not board the plane.

[mom2usa]

My Mom in law was asked by the official at the SFO airport (POE)to Show her return tickets. Her tickets were for 3 months and POE officer stamped I94 exactly for 3 months. I know its a rare case as POE officers usually donot check the return ticket. May be my MIL being first time traveller was nervous when talking to him.

so i'd suggest get the return tickets ( atleast open) to avoid any problems to your family at the Airport.


.......
Not legal advice Just an advice out of experience.