Minor irritation - onward\return ticket booking from UK

Rogue Two · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:12

Oops.

Just discovered that I'll need an onward or return ticket to be issued an Indian Visa (London HCI). Anyone know a way of booking a cheap ticket from India to, say, Thailand from the UK? Are we going to have to swallow it and get skinned by a travel agent?

Anyone had any success with buying a refundable ticket then cancelling it once the visa is issued? It's not a problem - we're going to Thailand after India, but don't want to be tied down to a specific departure date.

Thanks for being so patient with my daft n00b questions, everyone.

Nick-H · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:37

Since when?

But I haven't been there for a tourist visa since Nov 2005, and things do change. In my experience they are not interested in tickets at all, in or out.

If this is now the case, then everyone needs to know --- can you please tell us the source of your information.

If it does turn out to be a 'daft question' then everybody will be very relieved, so don't worry about it

ColinT · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:44

I've never heard of this before. I usually go on a one way ticket. The consulate never ask for my ticket and all the airlines I've been on to India had no problem with me having a one-way ticket. The only trouble I ever had with a one-way was with Air France, going from UK to Bangkok. I had to buy an onward/return at the check in desk.

Rogue Two · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:51

Lonely Planet India (although it is a 2004 edition). But looking here and here it would appear not.

Who would have thought it? The Lonely Planet carrying inaccurate information!

Sorry if I scared anyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinT

The only trouble I ever had with a one-way was with Air France, going from UK to Bangkok. I had to buy an onward/return at the check in desk.

Could be attributable more to their desire to sell tickets than any law existing in reality.

ColinT · Jan 4th, 2007, 17:58

LP - enough said. I met two LP researchers for South India in India two years ago and again just recently. The first seemed fine and keen on doing the job. The one a met recently seemed to dislike what she was doing and seemed to be going through the motions. I guess that the attitude of the researcher and whoever else is involved in producing the book affects the quality of the info in the book.

Rogue Two · Jan 4th, 2007, 18:00

It makes you think though - If you're not happy as a travel writer, what possible job would make you happy?

goagirlwannabee · Jan 4th, 2007, 18:14

Hi all
I got myself into a spot of trouble over this

I bought a one way with british airways to dehli a couple of years back.
I got the visa no problem at the indian embassy.
Went to check in at the BA desk at heathrow and was asked for an onward ticket!
they wouldnt check me in without an onward ticket

Weird I know! Cause I know a few people who had just a one way and was able to check in no problem.
I guess I was an unlucky one.
I think the checkin woman was on a bit of a rampage!
I booked an eflight from bangalore to bangkok with air india I think, when I got to india I was able to get most of my money back.
I really think that you dont need this onward ticket at all

Nick-H · Jan 4th, 2007, 18:28

...Especially as a BA single is about three times the cost of a return!

So, false alarm on this one? Good.

Visas4India is a great site for information, and even has forms you can fill in online and print out. Best also to check the horse's mouth --- the London High Commission website

goagirlwannabee · Jan 4th, 2007, 18:41

Ya i really think I was an unlucky one.
But I havent flown on a one way since.

Rogue Two · Jan 4th, 2007, 20:00

Just a thought - I was also told this by one of the Indian women that I work with, but she's an Indian passport holder (NRI) and said that she believed it was the case for non-Indians.

HCI website just says "Supporting documents, where necessary" - nice and vague innit.

It looks likely that she was wrong as I can't find anything to corroborate the opinion. I'm going for my visa next week. I'll update everyone then.

Goagirl - I've had all kinds of problems with BA even in Europe. They really do need to remove the rod from their jacksies.

Nick-H · Jan 4th, 2007, 20:19

Just don't even mention tickets, ok? you'll be fine.

Many people get the visa before they even book the flight!

I haven't taken another look at the site, but supporting docs are needed for some kinds of visa --- could it be that 'where necessary' simply doesn't include Tourist visas. I guess so.

Never take the word of a foreign national about their country's visa regulations! Why would they know? Do you know the ins and outs of getting a UK visa? I would know nothing about it all if my wife wasn't a foreign (to UK) national.

Jan 4th, 2007, 17:12	#1
Rogue Two n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 77	Minor irritation - onward\return ticket booking from UK Oops. Just discovered that I'll need an onward or return ticket to be issued an Indian Visa (London HCI). Anyone know a way of booking a cheap ticket from India to, say, Thailand from the UK? Are we going to have to swallow it and get skinned by a travel agent? Anyone had any success with buying a refundable ticket then cancelling it once the visa is issued? It's not a problem - we're going to Thailand after India, but don't want to be tied down to a specific departure date. Thanks for being so patient with my daft n00b questions, everyone. Last edited by machadinha : Jan 4th, 2007 at 17:40. Reason: moved to passport & visa forum

Jan 4th, 2007, 17:37	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,854	Since when? But I haven't been there for a tourist visa since Nov 2005, and things do change. In my experience they are not interested in tickets at all, in or out. If this is now the case, then everyone needs to know --- can you please tell us the source of your information. If it does turn out to be a 'daft question' then everybody will be very relieved, so don't worry about it __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jan 4th, 2007, 17:44	#3
ColinT Future Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK Posts: 335	I've never heard of this before. I usually go on a one way ticket. The consulate never ask for my ticket and all the airlines I've been on to India had no problem with me having a one-way ticket. The only trouble I ever had with a one-way was with Air France, going from UK to Bangkok. I had to buy an onward/return at the check in desk.

Jan 4th, 2007, 17:58	#5
ColinT Future Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK Posts: 335	LP - enough said. I met two LP researchers for South India in India two years ago and again just recently. The first seemed fine and keen on doing the job. The one a met recently seemed to dislike what she was doing and seemed to be going through the motions. I guess that the attitude of the researcher and whoever else is involved in producing the book affects the quality of the info in the book.

Jan 4th, 2007, 18:00	#6
Rogue Two n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 77	It makes you think though - If you're not happy as a travel writer, what possible job would make you happy?

Jan 4th, 2007, 18:14	#7
goagirlwannabee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: uk Posts: 124	Hi all I got myself into a spot of trouble over this I bought a one way with british airways to dehli a couple of years back. I got the visa no problem at the indian embassy. Went to check in at the BA desk at heathrow and was asked for an onward ticket! they wouldnt check me in without an onward ticket Weird I know! Cause I know a few people who had just a one way and was able to check in no problem. I guess I was an unlucky one. I think the checkin woman was on a bit of a rampage! I booked an eflight from bangalore to bangkok with air india I think, when I got to india I was able to get most of my money back. I really think that you dont need this onward ticket at all

Jan 4th, 2007, 18:28	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,854	...Especially as a BA single is about three times the cost of a return! So, false alarm on this one? Good. Visas4India is a great site for information, and even has forms you can fill in online and print out. Best also to check the horse's mouth --- the London High Commission website

Jan 4th, 2007, 18:41	#9
goagirlwannabee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: uk Posts: 124	Ya i really think I was an unlucky one. But I havent flown on a one way since.

Jan 4th, 2007, 20:00	#10
Rogue Two n00b Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 77	Just a thought - I was also told this by one of the Indian women that I work with, but she's an Indian passport holder (NRI) and said that she believed it was the case for non-Indians. HCI website just says "Supporting documents, where necessary" - nice and vague innit. It looks likely that she was wrong as I can't find anything to corroborate the opinion. I'm going for my visa next week. I'll update everyone then. Goagirl - I've had all kinds of problems with BA even in Europe. They really do need to remove the rod from their jacksies.

Jan 4th, 2007, 20:19	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,854	Just don't even mention tickets, ok? you'll be fine. Many people get the visa before they even book the flight! I haven't taken another look at the site, but supporting docs are needed for some kinds of visa --- could it be that 'where necessary' simply doesn't include Tourist visas. I guess so. Never take the word of a foreign national about their country's visa regulations! Why would they know? Do you know the ins and outs of getting a UK visa? I would know nothing about it all if my wife wasn't a foreign (to UK) national.

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