Entering Japan with a One-way ticket

[adamukun]

This issue has come out of nowhere for me, so I was hoping some people here might have some insight:

I'm going to be entering Japan on a one-way ticket. The travel agency called us the other day suggesting I get a round trip because immigration might be suspicious of my motives.

But if I explain to immigration that I'm planning to get married they shouldn't have a problem right? The immigration authorities basically refused to answer my question when I e-mailed them.

Any thoughts?

[GomiGirl]

Are you coming in on a tempory visitor visa and plan to change to a spouse visa?

yes immigration may be suspicious of your motives.

Best get a round trip. You don't have to use the second part of it.

[FG Lurker]

Immigration will be looking at the worst-case scenario: "What if this guy's fiancee decides she doesn't want to marry him. How's he going to get back out of the country?"

Immigration might also choose not to believe you. Being immigration they are not always the most trusting and believing folk.

Your travel agent is right, get a round-trip ticket.

[Kuang_Grade]

A round trip ticket (non-full fare/not a open ticket) will also likely be much cheaper as well

[nullpointer]

A round trip ticket (non-full fare/not a open ticket) will also likely be much cheaper as well

Very true. I don't know why this is so, but a round trip ticket is most of the times cheaper than a one way ticket. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the airlines internal mechanism can explain.

[adamukun]

In this particular case (flying Air India from Bangkok) the round-trip ticket is about $100 more expensive. I think I'll just go with the round trip since it's safer and won't require me to concoct and stick to stories. Thanks for the advice!

[Mulboyne]

Given that you are planning to stay in Japan for a while, it will probably pay to take out the extra insurance of having a return ticket in your pocket. It's not just at Narita, it is how it looks when you apply for your spouse visa or if you have any brush with officialdom.

However, I'm not a resident and I regularly enter Japan with no return ticket. I usually buy my tickets in Japan and when I arrive at Narita, I'm using the second leg of a return so, formally, I don't have any flight arranged to leave until I pick up my next ticket. By writing this, I've probably jinxed myself so I'm sure I can expect some questions now when I arrive at immigration.

[Oh!Saka!]

When I came on my 2 year student visa last fall, I had a one-way ticket and did not have any problems getting in.

[tokoyama]

Yeah because you had a student visa. He has got only a tourist visa so they might get suspicious. Dude invest the 100$ and you will be on the save side.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

When I came on my 2 year student visa last fall, I had a one-way ticket and did not have any problems getting in.

after the fingerprinting and new immigration regulations were started last november, they now require anyone without a residence/student/work visa to show proof of a return ticket. in february my boyfriend and i were in singapore as part of an asia trip that originated in tokyo and had a one way from singapore to tokyo. we were both asked to provide proof of a ticket out of japan before they would allow us to check in. 4 out of the 5 times i've entered japan this year they have asked to see my return ticket when i arrive in immigration.

who would be stupid enough to come here on a one way anyway??? always, ALWAYS have an escape route!!

[American Oyaji]

When I got to Japan in July last month, I didn't have to show proof of a return ticket at all. Then again, my documented reason for visiting Japan was "Visiting Family".
Also maybe my print might already be on record as having previously lived there without incident. I only showed my inbound boarding pass and passport.

[bolt_krank]

It depends on who checks you.
I've often had 1 way tickets 'cause I buy in Japan to go other places also, and return home without going through Japan.

From my experience (out of 3 times) - twice I was OK. Once I got pulled up and had to give the phone number of someone who could clarify on the phone that I was just "visiting".

Also - it will help if that contact is Japanese. It might of just been a coincidence, but they kept asking for contacts until a Japanese person came.
Asked for a contact - rang - then said they needed more. On the 3rd person (who was Japanese) they said "That's fine" and let me go.

I guess anyone that speaks Japanese with an accent isn't trustworthy...