With Japan, do you literally need an onward ticket, to prove you'll be leaving?

score:7

Accepted answer

Most likely not (however it is always good to have)

The Japanese Immigration Bureau regulations about acceptance into the country on short-term visas are, that you need to show proof that you have a plan to leave / funds to do so before the end of your visa if requested.

Referring to the MOJ-IMMI website, you will notice that the rule is not specifically stated outright, but is instead enshrined as one of the possible reasons of you "not meeting landing permission requirements" (of which the law is also intentionally vague about).

Another factor you may have with having to present proof of a return flight, is which country you are a citizen of. For example, although generally untrustworthy with matters of Immigration, various sources (for example; the Embassy of Japan in the UK, the UK government and the Embassy of Japan in Malawi) state that for your Visa, a return ticket may / is required.

Feel free to take it as you will. You are likely fine most of the time, however, if the Immigration Official insists on checking, you may want to have some kind of proof (money, credit card, return ticket etc.) lest you face rejection at the border.

Upvote:0

From the viewpoint of Japanese immigration, it's fine.

From the viewpoint of airlines: depends on the Airline. Budget carriers usually being less likely to let you board

Upvote:1

YMMV

Assuming your'e from a VISA exempt country, you SHOULD have no issues and will be granted a 90-day visa upon arrival. However, bear in mind that immigration CAN turn you away if they suspect you will stay illegally.

We had a couple visiting us (Canada) from South Korea. He had lived here previously for a 1 year on a work visa before he was married. They got called in for questioning and because the immigration officer suspected that they would stay in the country they were denied entry. It was heartbreaking for them as they were just coming to visit friends. They had a RETURN ticket.

So, a one-way ticket POTENTIALLY could raise flags and they CAN deny entry at their discretion. That being said, thousands of people do a one-way ticket every week. It helps if you have some kind of proof that you will leave the country before your visa expires.

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