One way ticket

I am one of the lucky few who gets to spend an extended period in Negril. The last few years I've stayed 4-6 weeks before Xmas and then 10-12 weeks after. This year my plans have changed a little because of the weakness of the Canadian $v. the U.S. and Jamaican dollars. So I'm going to spend as long as possible (90 days max) from January to April sometime and skip the pre Xmas part of my routine. This is a hard choice because I LOVE Negril in November and early December.
Anyway, because I want to stay as long as my budget allows, I'm thinking of arriving with no return ticket booked.
In my own experience I have never been asked for evidence of return flight. If the customs card is filled out properly; a few cursory questions and "welcome home". The kiosks-even simpler.
Has anyone here been asked? Am I taking a serious risk? I think Jamaican Immigration regulations require me to have a return ticket. I have no intention of misrepresenting anything and I could buy a ticket then and there if required.
So, a long story to ask: any thoughts?

i say wing it!! . . . i've never been asked in 32 years or travel!!

Thanks! That's pretty much my experience.

SlimJim,
We know many people that have been asked...including one having to buy a return ticket in order to stay.
I was asked when I was first moving down here...maybe my length of stay triggered the question...which may happen in your case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bnewb

SlimJim,
We know many people that have been asked...including one having to buy a return ticket in order to stay.
I was asked when I was first moving down here...maybe my length of stay triggered the question...which may happen in your case.

---

Lisa,

Just wondering but is traveling from Canada different than traveling from the US (because of former Crown Colony status maybe??)

I know that prior to 9/11 I can't ever remember being asked to produce a R/T ticket but since then I have been asked to produce it every time before my entry is granted.

Curious.
Peace and Guidance

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Accompong

Lisa,

Just wondering but is traveling from Canada different than traveling from the US (because of former Crown Colony status maybe??)

I know that prior to 9/11 I can't ever remember being asked to produce a R/T ticket but since then I have been asked to produce it every time before my entry is granted.

Curious.
Peace and Guidance

---

It's the same for both countries...prior to 9/11 travel was definitely different including being able to get into the country with just a driver's license.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slimjim

I am one of the lucky few who gets to spend an extended period in Negril. The last few years I've stayed 4-6 weeks before Xmas and then 10-12 weeks after. This year my plans have changed a little because of the weakness of the Canadian $v. the U.S. and Jamaican dollars. So I'm going to spend as long as possible (90 days max) from January to April sometime and skip the pre Xmas part of my routine. This is a hard choice because I LOVE Negril in November and early December.
Anyway, because I want to stay as long as my budget allows, I'm thinking of arriving with no return ticket booked.
In my own experience I have never been asked for evidence of return flight. If the customs card is filled out properly; a few cursory questions and "welcome home". The kiosks-even simpler.
Has anyone here been asked? Am I taking a serious risk? I think Jamaican Immigration regulations require me to have a return ticket. I have no intention of misrepresenting anything and I could buy a ticket then and there if required.
So, a long story to ask: any thoughts?

---

I have only been to Jamaica 11 times, so my feedback might not be as relevant as a long time traveler, however Jitterbug has had similar experiences to myself. I have NEVER been questioned or asked to show supporting documentation on my return. So it is up to you if you can pull this off or not. I know what I would do......

I've never attempted this and have never been asked to prove my return but I would think that leaving your return information blank on the immigration form would trigger a question. If actual flight information where entered, whether or not you had a reservation (not suggesting anything here) verification would most likely not be requested. Enjoy your winter retreat to paradise.

I've been asked several times....starting with the US airline. I usually purchase 1way tickets flying with different airlines, so airline asked to see proof of return flight. And ja has asked to see proof once. I stay 3 months or more.

mi stay 10-12 weeks every reach so mi got you covered on this thingy cause mi never know when mi leaving......

the airlines will ask if you have a return ticket......their suppose to......and Spirit wants proof......
Jamaican immigrations usually only ask how long you staying.....in 30+ years they have never asked about a return flight

what I do is book mi one way ticket down whenever mi get a good price.....
and the night before mi fly down....mi book mi one way flight back
so when mi travel down der mi can say to everyone yes mi have a return ticket.......
and after when mi land in Jamaica......mi call mi airline that mi booked mi return one way ticket with....
and cancel the ticket since you have 24 hours to cancel a flight without charge.......
Spirit actually has an option for like $45 to move an existing flight till 24 hours before a flight....
mi usually take the $45 as an insurance policy on da return flight in case mi call doesn't get thru within the 24 hour window.....

of course having a Jamaican cellie on you helps a lot.....
you can always use someones Jamaican cellie after you land....
to call your airlines to cancel(make sure you have the customer service number).....
and give the Jamaican some bucks for the use of der phone.....
mi usually around mi place on Pee Wee Lane all Winter and Summer.....
and you welcome to use mi Jamaican cellie to call your airlines to cancel for free....yah mon

Cool Runnings, Marko

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rumlover

I've never attempted this and have never been asked to prove my return but I would think that leaving your return information blank on the immigration form would trigger a question. If actual flight information where entered, whether or not you had a reservation (not suggesting anything here) verification would most likely not be requested. Enjoy your winter retreat to paradise.

---

Exactly to the point. When you fill out the Immigration Form you can't as a Foreign Visitor leave it blank and expect to enter Jamaica. I have always had a return flight listed (regardless of the time in Jamaica either less than or over 90 days). A few times they have asked to see the return flight information and I show it but that is usually when I am staying over 90 days. They will only stamp 90 days regardless of your return date which will force you to go and apply for an extension.

Has anyone on the board (non-Jamaican) not had a return flight ticket and left the information on the Immigration Form blank and got their entry stamped? Maybe in the past but I don't think so now. I would like to know if anyone has. Thanks.

Peace and Guidance

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Accompong

Has anyone on the board (non-Jamaican) not had a return flight ticket and left the information on the Immigration Form blank and got their entry stamped? Maybe in the past but I don't think so now. I would like to know if anyone has. Thanks.

---

As a matter of fact, yes...but I'm sure I'm not the "(non-Jamaica)" that should be answering. It entails having residency or work permits and you'll also get to go through the much quicker Jamaican immigration line. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Accompong

Has anyone on the board (non-Jamaican) not had a return flight ticket and left the information on the Immigration Form blank and got their entry stamped? Maybe in the past but I don't think so now. I would like to know if anyone has. Thanks.

Peace and Guidance

---

When I had residency and work permit (1969 - 1984) it was not a problem. I flew in one way the first time and when I wanted to go to the States I'd buy my round trip Jamaica - US - Jamaica and pay with Ja dollars. Never did buy a return one way to the US. When I left JA "for good" I was hired to captain a racing yacht from MoBay to Key West. Boat was named HAVOC.... well named as it turned out.

I don't think it works that way now although I've been told that getting residency would be easy for me. However, I have no expectation of staying more that 3 months at a time..if that long.

Cap

I'm thinking when we went to JA in July that information was not requested on the forms. I remember thinking it was strange that they took return flight info off of the forms. I thought I heard a few other people comment on it also. I was so excited to finally get there I could have this information wrong - sorry if that's the case!

We did have to put our return date on the form. I do remember not having the bottom portion of the form to keep tract of for our return like we have every other trip.

In my past 22 trips to Negril I remember being asked more times than not of my return date.

Marko that's a good idea for those who don't know when they're returning! Thanks!

I've been asked several times. And always when I plan to stay 90 days or more. Sometimes they will ask to SEE it. Marko has an interesting method/Spirit airlines. If you book a REFUNDABLE ticket you can do the same thing, but then you are laying out/putting on your credit card the more expensive ticket. Southwest gives free changes but it goes to your account as a credit to use in the future (or get a REFUNDABLE ticket and cancel, then book the flight/date you really want)

I've never been asked about my return trip nor is there a place to write your return trip info. If you have to buy a SW ticket which would allow free changes OR book a dummy ticket on AA --- so through the process of picking a return flight and then on the payment screen choose the 24 hour hold. They send you an itinerary which you could take with you in case they ask.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jamerican71

I've never been asked about my return trip nor is there a place to write your return trip info.

---

Isn't this the form they still use? This is where you have to write your return trip info.

If it is not filled out properly, you will not get it stamped (I believe)
Attachment 42283
Peace and Guidance

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Accompong

Isn't this the form they still use? This is where you have to write your return trip info.

If it is not filled out properly, you will not get it stamped (I believe)
Attachment 42283
Peace and Guidance

---

I stand corrected......That is the form they still use and I guess I haven't paid attention to it. I fill it out but obviously not with correct info.

Here's the new form. Mo more line 17 or return info.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...n-forms-YIPPEE

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by captaind & Linston

Here's the new form. Mo more line 17 or return info.

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...n-forms-YIPPEE

---

Thanks David.

That is a new one to me. Used the old one last year. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

Peace and Guidance

Okay there is no longer a space to write how long you are staying, but the last time I came in (using this new form) the Immigration officer ASKED me how long I was staying (and probably made a note on the form, I didn't look) I think he even asked if I was going to extend my trip (it was short).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cands

I'm thinking when we went to JA in July that information was not requested on the forms. I remember thinking it was strange that they took return flight info off of the forms. I thought I heard a few other people comment on it also. I was so excited to finally get there I could have this information wrong - sorry if that's the case!

We did have to put our return date on the form. I do remember not having the bottom portion of the form to keep tract of for our return like we have every other trip.

---

yes, there is a new form. Can't for the life of me remember if they asked for specific return flight details but there isn't a bottom part to keep track of anymore

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jamerican71

I've never been asked about my return trip nor is there a place to write your return trip info. If you have to buy a SW ticket which would allow free changes OR book a dummy ticket on AA --- so through the process of picking a return flight and then on the payment screen choose the 24 hour hold. They send you an itinerary which you could take with you in case they ask.

---

oh mi like dat idea too as long as American emails you the ticket ........
you don't even need to pay for the ticket like mi do presently with Spirit
guess mi will book a fake one way on American and see how official the email is with the ticket to see if it flies with Spirit.....
for those that don't know.......dealing with Spirit is the pits.....lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marko

oh mi like dat idea too as long as American emails you the ticket ........
you don't even need to pay for the ticket like mi do presently with Spirit
guess mi will book a fake one way on American and see how official the email is with the ticket to see if it flies with Spirit.....
for those that don't know.......dealing with Spirit is the pits.....lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

---

I can't remember if they email it but they do give you a confirmation number and you can log on and print from their website