Thorn Tree travel forum

1

No hassle from Chinese immigration.
Cheers!

2

awesome thank you, much appreciated!

3

I concur. No problems whatsoever.

4

No probs from me as well.

If there is no food, isn't that food for thought?
And if you are bored and want to know more about our Chinese teaching experience, there is our website to read.

5

Check the FAQ section for my My peace of mind onward ticket tip!

6

Link doesn't seem to be working. Here it is anyway..

Do I need an onward ticket for China?

As others have said, there’s no problem at Chinese immigration. Other TTers have reported no problem with Chinese embassies and consulates in obtaining a visa in the first place without an onward ticket, if you come from a low risk country i.e. most of the developed world.

It's the jobsworths at the travel agencies and the airline staff at the check-in counters who are your main concern! Research this FAQ where this happened to a fellow TTer. I have frequently been asked for an onward ticket from my next destination at the airline check-in counter when I'm leaving Australia, where they're sticklers for the rules.

Chances are everything will go smooth as silk at check-in and immigration, but ...

My peace of mind tip:

Investigate the cheapest o/w flights with budget airlines such as Air Asia (ex Macau and Xiamen. eg Macau to Bangkok for as little as US$30) and Tiger Airways (ex Macau, Shenzen, Haikou, Guangzhou) to neighbouring countries that don't require a visa or one obtainable on entry (preferably one that you may actually want to visit anyway) "before" you get to the airport.

Arrive in good time with your credit card handy, so that IF you're unlucky enough to meet difficult check-in staff, you can always book an onward ticket yourself on the spot. Get a refund credit later on the onward ticket for a very small penalty fee or, if you actually want to use the ticket but on a different date, change the budget carrier date for a penalty fee of US$25). Check the ticket refund/change of date policy first! It may vary between budget airlines. I've only done this on Air Asia.

As I said, 99% of the time you'll have no trouble at check-in. But for peace of mind, have this ace up your sleeve.

Happy Travels

7

As above.

The only problem you will have will be from the airline. This has happened to me twice. (Should have learnt the first time.)

What an airline says to you when booking may be quite different to what they will say to you at check-in.

What I would do is contact the airline and get something in writing that one way is OK.

"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road" - Henry Ward Beecher