Return Ticket

[randomname]

Hi everyone,

 

If I get into the States with an F1 visa, am I obligated to show  a return ticket? Can they deny me enterence if I don't? Common sense tells me that a student visa implies that I might stay for several years, and companies don't give a return for several years. But maybe this common sense dosen't apply?

 

Thanks in advance for any answer. 

[TakeruK]

No you don't need a return ticket for entry on F-1 status, for the reason you cite above. US Immigration recognizes that while students are temporary visitors, they are in a different situation than e.g. Business or Tourist class visitors. You would need your I-20, your passport, and your paid SEVIS fee receipt (I-901? or something like that).

[randomname]

Thank you very much. Is this written somewhere officially? 

[Andean Pat]

I asked the Office of International Students at my school. They told me the immigration officer has no reason to ask for a return ticket. Check with your office and with your local US embassy.

[TakeruK]

I found this document: http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_2734.html

 

It is a memo about how border officials should interpret your intent to return while on F-1 or J-1 status as a student. It notes that students are in special circumstances (as opposed to people on Business or Tourist visas) so while a return ticket can prove intent to return to home country, it is not the only way you can do so. The memo also mentions that students are in a young/early part of life where we might not own property or even know where we want to go with our lives. So, the memo states that although a student's plan might change over time, intent to return should be evaluated at time of entry and they shouldn't speculate on what could happen while you're in the US.

 

I don't think the memo is necessarily written proof that you don't need a return ticket and the memo may be outdated now? However, everything is pretty vague -- the only concrete thing is that the border official should feel that, at time of entry, you plan to leave the US when your F-1 status ends. This is a subjective judgement and it sounds like the memo is there to remind border officials that students don't have concrete plans -- so as long as we don't show a concrete plan to stay in the US, it's okay (in my opinion). 

[oopalfrootz]

You don't need a ticket at all. My F-1 visa is for a nominally five year course, so they're obviously not expecting me to come up with a plane ticket dated 2018. In fact, official advice is to wait until you have your visa before buying plane tickets in case you're not granted one. 

[nipwe]

Nop , they are not asking return ticket at port of entry (from my experience). Your intention of return to your country will be checked at visa interview.