Return Ticket

[AlinaB 43]

My In-laws are visiting on a tourist visa. I didn’t buy them a return ticket yet because I was under the impression that immigration stamps them with a time limit on entry (despite them being allowed 90 days on the visa).

 

Is this correct and ok?

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

What do you mean by the visa allows 90 days? Tourist visas generally allow up to 6 months per visit, but this is up to the discretion of CBP at entry. What does the stamp in their passport say?

 

i don’t understand why you couldn’t buy a return ticket though, don’t they know when they want to leave? 

 

Edit: I’m not actually clear if they are already in the country or haven’t arrived yet.

Edited May 11, 2019 by SusieQQQ

[AlinaB 43]

3 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

What do you mean by the visa allows 90 days? Tourist visas generally allow up to 6 months per visit, but this is up to the discretion of CBP at entry. What does the stamp in their passport say?

 

i don’t understand why you couldn’t buy a return ticket though, don’t they know when they want to leave? 

 

Edit: I’m not actually clear if they are already in the country or haven’t arrived yet.

Thanks for helping. They arrive May 21 so no stamp yet. Indonesian citizens are not allowed longer than 90 days at a time. And you did confirm that the time allotted is at the discretion of CBP,  which is why I waited to purchase their return ticket. My fear is that they will be turned away because the CBP won’t see a clear intention to return. (Which - they 100% will. They have other kids and grandkids and a business back home.)

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

16 minutes ago, AlinaB said:

Thanks for helping. They arrive May 21 so no stamp yet. Indonesian citizens are not allowed longer than 90 days at a time. And you did confirm that the time allotted is at the discretion of CBP,  which is why I waited to purchase their return ticket. My fear is that they will be turned away because the CBP won’t see a clear intention to return. (Which - they 100% will. They have other kids and grandkids and a business back home.)

Ok, when you said “are visiting” it sounded like they are here already.

thanks for explanation re Indonesian limits.

Absolutely there is a high chance of being denied entry if they try to do so without a return ticket. It’s not something I personally would risk. If you are really worried about CBP giving the a shorter time, buy a ticket that you can change.

[AlinaB 43]

3 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Ok, when you said “are visiting” it sounded like they are here already.

thanks for explanation re Indonesian limits.

Absolutely there is a high chance of being denied entry if they try to do so without a return ticket. It’s not something I personally would risk. If you are really worried about CBP giving the a shorter time, buy a ticket that you can change.

Wow damn. I had no idea. I’ll be buying one this weekend then. 

[usmsbow 795]

2 hours ago, AlinaB said:

 Indonesian citizens are not allowed longer than 90 days at a time. 

 

Sorry, but this isn't true. Two of my wife's friends were granted 6 months when they came here on tourist visas. One visited a year ago, the other in March. 

 

 

[AlinaB 43]

3 minutes ago, usmsbow said:

 

Sorry, but this isn't true. Two of my wife's friends were granted 6 months when they came here on tourist visas. One visited a year ago, the other in March. 

 

 

You would have nothing to apologize for if that’s true! That’s not what the consulate told us. I’d love that. 

 

Did they have to show their return ticket to CBD?

[usmsbow 795]

11 minutes ago, AlinaB said:

You would have nothing to apologize for if that’s true! That’s not what the consulate told us. I’d love that. 

 

Did they have to show their return ticket to CBD?

 

I don't know. I just know both were granted 6 months because both were surprised it was so long. The 2nd was asked a bunch of questions (basically about her visit and travel plans), but I don't know if she had to show a return ticket. 

 

You could buy a refundable ticket and refund it after they arrive here. 

Edited May 12, 2019 by usmsbow
adding ticket suggestion

[mepck 197]

2 hours ago, usmsbow said:

 

Sorry, but this isn't true. Two of my wife's friends were granted 6 months when they came here on tourist visas. One visited a year ago, the other in March. 

 

 

True, am Indonesian. Visited 3x to the US under tourist visa. Each visit granted 6 months on my passport entry stamp (even each trip I only stayed for 2 weeks). CBP didn’t ask for my return ticket but obviously asked me how long will I stay. I wouldn’t risk to not having return ticket on hand. It’s better safe than sorry.

Edited May 12, 2019 by mepck

[AlinaB 43]

2 minutes ago, mepck said:

True, am Indonesian. Visited 3x to the US under tourist visa. Each visit granted 6 months on my passport entry stamp (even each trip I only stayed for 2 weeks). CBP didn’t ask for my return ticket but obviously asked me how long will I stay. I wouldn’t risk to not having return ticket on hand. It’s better safe than sorry.

Thank you! This makes me so happy! I’ll buy their ticket ASAP. Hopefully we won’t have to change any flights too because they can’t stay longer than 2-3 months. Refundable tickets are $$$$$$$$ and ticket change fees could be up to $500 each. 

[mepck 197]

1 minute ago, AlinaB said:

Thank you! This makes me so happy! I’ll buy their ticket ASAP. Hopefully we won’t have to change any flights too because they can’t stay longer than 2-3 months. Refundable tickets are $$$$$$$$ and ticket change fees could be up to $500 each. 

Ahhaha I can relate. But return tickets are normally cheaper than one way. And oh Yes, refundable ticket is expensive hehehe

 

Goodluck for arranging trip for your families😀

[ElDiablo 95]

This topic makes no sense. Why does it matter what entry stamp they get in relation to buying their ticket? They have the visa, so surely they have a plan of how long they want to visit, just like every other genuine visitor, unless they are not genuine.

[AlinaB 43]

9 hours ago, ElDiablo said:

This topic makes no sense. Why does it matter what entry stamp they get in relation to buying their ticket? They have the visa, so surely they have a plan of how long they want to visit, just like every other genuine visitor, unless they are not genuine.

People on this forum are so rude. The topic makes total sense- I will explain:

today I'm buying a ticket for them to return early August. So probably 80 days or so. We were told by the consulate that they would get 90 days max. (This apparently isn’t true, but let’s continue.) We were also told that stay date is at the discretion of CBD. So they could come in, say they are leaving in early August but get a stamp that tells them to leave in early July and we would have to either a) change tickets or b) apply for a visa extension. Both of which are $$$ and I would prefer not to do. 

 

However, thanks to the advice of kind people, I’d rather buy the ticket and risk the extra fees, then risk them not being allowed entry. As I’ve stated - they have lives there and cannot stay in the US. This is not the land of milk and honey for everyone and would certainly not be for them. Thanks for the accusation though - Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours.

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

Technically, I don't think a return ticket is mandatory to enter on a B2 visa (It is mandatory for VWP visitors), but immigration can certainly ask them about their return plans.....and could deny entry if he/she feels the visitor is a risk to stay.......I would certainly purchase a return flight before entering.

[ElDiablo 95]

2 hours ago, AlinaB said:

People on this forum are so rude. The topic makes total sense- I will explain:

today I'm buying a ticket for them to return early August. So probably 80 days or so. We were told by the consulate that they would get 90 days max. (This apparently isn’t true, but let’s continue.) We were also told that stay date is at the discretion of CBD. So they could come in, say they are leaving in early August but get a stamp that tells them to leave in early July and we would have to either a) change tickets or b) apply for a visa extension. Both of which are $$$ and I would prefer not to do. 

 

However, thanks to the advice of kind people, I’d rather buy the ticket and risk the extra fees, then risk them not being allowed entry. As I’ve stated - they have lives there and cannot stay in the US. This is not the land of milk and honey for everyone and would certainly not be for them. Thanks for the accusation though - Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours.

Your logic is completely wrong. If they arrive in May and want to stay till August, 80 days or so as you said, there is NO way they will get stamped to stay until July. When they arrive they will be asked how long are they staying. They say August and show the return ticket if asked.

 

CBP are not stupid, of they are allowing entry, they are not going to say 'oh I don't want you staying 80 days, but 60 days instead because that way you are more likely to not overstay'. That would make 0 sense. 

 

Buying a one way ticket without a return and turning up at the POE is just plain stupid.

 

It's not mother's day here.

Edited May 12, 2019 by ElDiablo