If you have happened to stumble across this post, it’s very likely that either you are curious to know about what an onward ticket is or need details on when and why is it required during travel. So let us first talk about what is an onward ticket.
What Is An Onward Ticket?
An onward ticket serves as documentation of an airline reservation made from the destination nation. Depending on the country’s admission regulations, an onward ticket could be necessary. Many nations need a flight ticket to be held out from their nation and displayed at immigration. They imposed this restriction to provide the government assurance that travelers may leave if they run out of money. Without an onward ticket, a visitor may be denied entrance to these countries and sent back to their original point of origin on the next flight.
Onward ticket is used in the following scenarios:
- A round-trip flight ticket
- A one-way flight to a destination that requires an onward flight as a stopover
- Comes in handy when applying for a visa
Generally speaking, an onward ticket is to ensure that you have enough cash to travel abroad, that you are not planning to illegally stay in the country, and that you are going to be departing the country before your visa expires.
Difference Between Onward Ticket and Return Ticket
The ticket booked for the trip from the intended departure station to the destination station is known as an onward flight ticket.
Whereas, the return flight tickets are those intended for the trip back to your starting point’s parental station once you’ve reached there through an onward flight.
Why Is An Onward Ticket Important?
An onward ticket is primarily used as proof of return to present at immigration while in transit. By doing so, you might demonstrate that you have firm plans to depart the nation you’re trying to enter. The destination of the ticket won’t necessarily matter to them as long as it is outside of their own country. In some countries like Peru, United Kingdom, Newzealand, United States of America, Philippines, etc. an onward ticket is a requirement. During the check-in process in these countries, you won’t be allowed on board without an onward ticket.
What Countries Require An Onward Ticket?
Down below is a complete list of the countries that strictly require an onward ticket.
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Costa Rica
- Colombia
- India
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Peru
- Panama
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
Do I Need An Onward Ticket?
A question to ask yourself before you head to the airport is do I really need an onward ticket? The answer is straightforward and simple.
If you are traveling to any of the above-mentioned countries, then yes you absolutely need an onward ticket. But if your end destination is any other country, then according to the law it is not a requirement but they will most probably still ask for it. So as a precaution, it is suggested that you always have your onward ticket on you while traveling.