round trip or one way

[START2]

I have a questtion. Is it required by the U.S. when your fiance travels here, that she have round trip tickets in hand or will one way be ok to enter?

[ConnerVT]

Depends on the type of visa.  Immigrant visas only need a one way ticket.  Non-Immigrant visas need round trip.

Tourist, Business, Student, and Cultural exchange visas are all Non-Immigrant, requiring a round trip ticket.

In practice, A K-1 visa, although a Non-Immigrant visa, only requires a one way ticket, as the intent of the visa is for the fiance(e) to remain in the US.  However, some airlines (ie. Aeroflot) will give you a difficult time about this.

As for a K-3, I forget, is it Immigrant or Non-Immigrant?

[jb]

K-3 is non-immigrant.  Once she's here you have to petition for AOS to get immigrant status.

[START2]

She''l be flying aerosvit on a k-1. So are you saying a one way will be sufficient? And is it decided by the idividual airlines? Where would i find this info just for clarification?

[ConnerVT]

Unfortunately, you can not find your answer in one place.

First, from Delta Airlines Visa and Passport Information Web Page: http://www.delta.com/travel/plan/international_travel/visa_passport_info/index.jsp

National RUSSIAN FEDERATION (RU)                        
Destination U.S.A. (US)        


U.S.A. (US)



Passport required (must be valid at time of entry; passenger
may be authorized to stay until the expiry date of the
passport). For validity see: For details, click here - Item 2.

Visa required.

* If coming directly from Guam or Virgin Isl: pre-inspection
  by the USA Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will have
  taken place prior to embarkation, when passengers are
  required to provide proof of their legal right to enter the U.S.A.
  If coming directly from Puerto Rico: pre-inspection may take
  place by CBP prior to embarkation, when passengers are
  required to provide their documents and proof of their legal
  right to enter U.S.A.;
* if not holding tickets and documents required for return/
  onward destination, entry may be refused and deportation may
  follow. This is at discretion of Immigration Authorities;
* non-compliance with entry requirements will result in fines
  varying between USD 2,000 and USD 3,000 per passenger
  and either deportation or indefinite delay for passenger
  at point of entry (detention costs at carrier's expense);
* fines for incomplete/inaccurately filled out I-94 or I-94W
  Forms: USD 1,000.- per passenger;

It's the second and third bullets that are appropriate.  The second item says if not holding return tickets, entry may be refused at the discretion of Immigration Authorities.  In practice, Immigration does not care if they have a return ticket, for most are planning only a one way trip, and have an American sponsor.

The third item is where the airline gets involved, as it says the carrier (airline) is on the hook for the expense of returning anyone in violation of the immigration rules.  This is where Aeroflot (and possibly other airlines) will make demands that someone traveling with a K-1 visa buy a RT ticket.  When you are standing at the check-in counter at SVO being denied to board the airplane is no time to try and win an argument with a stubborn airline employee.  Their attitude?  You're the one who needs to get on the airplane, not them... :?

[START2]

Conner, Thanks for the info. I'll have her ask when she gets her tickets this week.  If she  needs a return, then we'll add it on.