Book your onward ticket reservation

What you need to know: The Philippines BI strictly requires all foreign nationals to show proof of onward or return travel. This policy has intensified since 2023, with airlines fined for boarding travellers without a confirmed return or connecting ticket. At Manila (MNL), immigration counters frequently check departure tickets — especially for tourists on 30-day visa-free entry.

Several travellers have reported being held in airport detention rooms for hours. Even EU, US, UK, and AU passport holders have been detained.

What you need to know: Thailand does not officially mandate onward tickets in its visa regulations, but in practice Thai Immigration at BKK and DMK frequently questions travellers who cannot demonstrate planned departure — particularly those arriving repeatedly on visa-exempt entries. Since 2019, Thailand has cracked down on long-term overstays.

Check-in desks for inbound flights also enforce this rule on behalf of Thai Immigration.

What you need to know: Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration requires travellers entering on a Visa on Arrival (VoA) to demonstrate they plan to leave the country within the allowed stay period. Bali (Ngurah Rai International, DPS) is especially vigilant — immigration officers at DPS routinely ask to see return or onward tickets, particularly for travellers who appear to be living long-term on tourist visas.

What you need to know: Malaysia offers generous visa-free access to most nationalities (typically 90 days), but the immigration authority has become more selective about long-term "visa hoppers" — travellers who leave and re-enter repeatedly. At KLIA, immigration officers may question travellers who appear to be residing in Malaysia without proper long-term visas and ask for evidence of onward travel.

What you need to know: The UK has some of the most rigorous pre-border checks of any country. Airlines are legally required to verify that passengers have leave to enter the UK and sufficient funds to cover their stay — this includes checking return or onward travel evidence. Travellers arriving on Standard Visitor visas must demonstrate they plan to leave the UK within the visa duration.

Airlines failing to carry these checks face significant fines, making them very diligent at check-in.

What you need to know: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may request proof of onward travel from visitors arriving on ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or B-1/B-2 visitor visas. While not a universal requirement, one-way travellers are frequently flagged for secondary inspection. CBP officers have broad discretion to question travellers about their plans to depart.

What you need to know: Costa Rica legally requires all arriving visitors to have a confirmed onward or return ticket. This is one of the few countries where the rule is explicitly in national law — not just an immigration preference. Airlines are actively fined for boarding passengers to Costa Rica without proof of departure. The rule applies to almost all nationalities, including those who do not need a visa to enter.

What you need to know: New Zealand's immigration system (NZeTA for visa-waiver countries) effectively requires travellers to demonstrate they can and will leave New Zealand before their allowed stay expires. Airlines are required to verify this as part of their pre-departure checks — and they take it seriously. NZeTA is linked to airline systems, making it easier for border agencies to cross-check.

What you need to know: Peru's immigration authority at Lima Jorge Chávez International (LIM) enforces onward travel requirements, particularly for travellers arriving on a single-entry tourist stamp. Incidents of detention and holding travellers pending proof of departure have been reported, particularly at LIM.

What you need to know: Vietnam has expanded its visa-free access since 2023 (45 days for many nationalities) but has simultaneously increased border checks. Airlines flying to Vietnam's major hubs sometimes enforce onward ticket checks at check-in as part of their liability management. Immigration at SGN and HAN can question travellers without clear exit plans.

What you need to know: Ecuador legally mandates proof of onward or return travel for all tourists entering on a visa-free basis. Immigration at Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE) enforce this rule, and airlines have been fined for failing to check passengers pre-boarding. Ecuador allows 90 days visa-free for most nationalities.

What you need to know: Cambodia is known as a relatively relaxed immigration destination, but enforcement has tightened in recent years. Airlines flying into Phnom Penh (PNH) and Siem Reap (REP) now more regularly check for onward travel, particularly for travellers on tourist visas or e-visas.

What you need to know: Guatemala is part of the CA-4 (Central America) border agreement along with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua — meaning that once you enter any CA-4 country, your 90-day clock starts. Guatemalan immigration enforces onward ticket requirements, and airlines flying into GUA pre-screen passengers for departure evidence.

What you need to know: Panama is a major hub for Latin American travel via Copa Airlines, and it takes its immigration rules seriously. Proof of onward international travel is required for all visitors — and it must be an international departure, not just a domestic Panamanian flight. Check-in staff at PTY Tocumen are highly consistent in verifying this.

What you need to know: Australia's visa system is fully electronic (ETA or eVisitor for eligible nationalities, e-Visitor for European passports). The Australian Border Force requires visitors to demonstrate they have plans to depart before their visa expires. Airlines flying to Australia are subject to carrier liability, so they pre-screen passengers carefully at origin airports.

What you need to know: Brazil reinstated visa requirements for US and Canadian citizens in 2024. For nationalities that enter visa-free (90 days), the Federal Police at GRU and GIG may request evidence of onward travel, particularly for travellers who appear to be staying long-term or who have visited multiple times in a year.

What you need to know: The Schengen Area (26 European countries) requires visa applicants to provide a return or onward travel itinerary as part of the visa application. For visa-free travellers, airlines are legally required under the Schengen Borders Code to verify that passengers have exit evidence before boarding. The incoming ETIAS travel authorisation system will further tighten tracking of 90/180-day stays.

What you need to know: Kenya's immigration authority requires all visitors entering on a tourist visa (eVisa or on-arrival) to show confirmed onward or return travel. Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) is one of Africa's busiest hubs and immigration officers consistently enforce this rule. Mombasa (MBA) sees heavy package-holiday traffic and check-in desks for returning charter flights regularly request proof of departure.

East African Safari and backpacker travellers are frequently questioned, particularly those entering repeatedly on single-entry visas.

What you need to know: South Africa offers visa-free access to many nationalities (90 days) and is a major international travel hub. The Department of Home Affairs has increased scrutiny of travellers who appear to be staying long-term on repeated tourist entries. O.R. Tambo (JNB) is Africa's busiest airport and immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel, particularly for nationalities that have historically overstayed.

What you need to know: Tanzania (including semi-autonomous Zanzibar, which has its own immigration) is increasingly enforcing onward ticket requirements as tourism numbers grow. Zanzibar Island (ZNZ) is particularly known for checking tickets at the island's own immigration desk — even if you've already cleared Tanzanian mainland immigration. Kilimanjaro (JRO) sees trekking groups and immigration officers regularly request proof of departure.

What you need to know: Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa's largest carriers and Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) serves as a major transit hub for the continent. Travellers entering Ethiopia on a tourist visa may be asked to demonstrate their onward travel plans, especially during busy transit periods. Ethiopia introduced an eVisa system that requires applicants to list their intended departure date, making immigration checks smoother — but having a physical ticket helps.

What you need to know: Morocco is a popular short-break destination for Europeans and has seen increased enforcement of its immigration rules as long-term "nomads" have settled on repeated tourist entries. The Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) at CMN and RAK has become more active in requesting evidence of departure, particularly for travellers who appear to be staying long-term or are making repeat visits within short windows.

What you need to know: Egypt offers visa-on-arrival at most international airports (USD $25 for most nationalities). Immigration at Cairo International (CAI) and the popular Red Sea resorts of Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) regularly ask travellers to show their onward or return ticket when collecting their VoA stamp. Many airlines flying to Egyptian Red Sea resorts pre-screen passengers at origin airports.

What you need to know: Ghana is West Africa's most popular English-speaking destination and Accra Kotoka (ACC) is a significant regional hub. Ghana Immigration Service may ask for evidence of onward travel, particularly for travellers from countries with higher overstay rates. The "Year of Return" initiative and ongoing diaspora travel has kept immigration procedures active and thorough.