Which Countries Require Proof Of Onward Travel For A Tourist Visa? (And How To Get One In 2023)

I worked in tech companies for over 10 years, and part of my work was to travel around the world to present research at conferences, keynotes, and industry events. Traveling was the nice part, but it came with a nasty part of applying for visas way before my travel. And many of these countries asked me for proof of onward travel.

I didn’t have a clue what it was. To me, it was strange that they forced me to book a round-trip flight even before I got a tourist visa approved. I also found it hard to find information online from other travelers, what they were doing, and how they were sorting it out.

In this post, I share some quick notes about my experience with proof of onward travel, which countries require it, and what you need to expect when applying for a tourist visa. Also, some resources you can use to get the documents you need for your application. Let’s dive in!

What is Proof of Onward Travel?

Proof of onward travel is a document or other form of evidence that shows that you have a plan to leave the country you are visiting. This is often required when applying for a visa, as it helps to ensure that you are not planning to overstay your visa and illegally immigrate to the country.

Many different types of documents can be used as proof of onward travel, for example:

• A round-trip flight itinerary
• A one-way flight ticket with proof of onward travel from another country
• A bus or train ticket
• A ferry ticket
• A cruise ticket
• A hotel reservation
• A rental car reservation
• A visa for another country
• A letter from your employer or school stating that you have a return ticket

The specific requirements for proof of onward travel may vary from country to country. For example, some countries may only require a round-trip flight itinerary, while others may require proof of onward travel from another country even if you have a one-way flight ticket.

If you are asked to provide proof of onward travel, it is important to be prepared. You should book your flights or other travel arrangements in advance and have the documentation ready to present when you apply for your visa.

If you cannot provide proof of onward travel, don’t worry. It may still be possible to get a visa. However, they might ask you to provide additional documentation, such as a letter from your employer or school stating that you have a return ticket. I had to do this a couple of times, for example, for Canada and Australia. Sometimes it is straightforward, but sometimes these letters can take time and be an extra hassle.

Countries that require Proof of Onward Travel or a valid flight booking in 2023

The following countries ask you for a valid flight booking or proof of onward travel when applying for a tourist visa.

1. United States: For tourist and business visa types B1 and B2.
2. Australia: For some visa subclasses, Australia might require evidence of your travel arrangements out of the country.
3. United Kingdom: The UK may request details about your travel and accommodation. However, it’s not a strict requirement in all cases.
4. Canada: If you’re applying for a tourist visa, you may need to provide information about your travel and accommodations in Canada.
5. Japan: Visa requirements can vary, but some types of visas might require a detailed itinerary or proof of round-trip tickets.
6. Iran: Iran usually requires a travel itinerary from a local tour operator for a visa.
7. Nigeria: For a tourist visa, Nigeria typically asks for a copy of a round-trip ticket or itinerary.
8. Saudi Arabia: Tourist visa applicants may need proof of round-trip travel and accommodation details.
9. Turkey: For certain types of visas, you might need to provide proof of your travel arrangements and accommodations in Turkey.
10. Schengen countries: All Schengen countries require proof of onward travel when applying for a visa. This can be a round-trip flight itinerary, a one-way flight ticket, or a bus or train ticket.
11. China: China requires a round-trip flight. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.
12. Algeria: Algeria requires a round-trip flight. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.
13. Brazil: Brazil requires a round-trip flight itinerary. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.
14. New Zealand: New Zealand requires a round-trip flight. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.
15. Thailand: Thailand requires a round-trip flight. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.
16. United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates requires a round-trip flight. You can also submit a one-way ticket with proof of onward travel from another country.

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