Return Ticket for a W&H Visa? Help!

[silviar]

So, good news first: I applied for my W&H visa and was approved in like, 10 minutes. Whoo! XD So it's official, I'm accepted into Australia. *waves flag*

This brings me to my current question/point: Getting a return ticket more than a year in advance is very difficult. Visa says I need to show proof of return ticket or funds for a ticket. Do they

Comments

[riscana]

I had to do this when I went on a working holiday visa to New Zealand for a year - didn't have a ticket out of the country when I landed because I wasn't sure where I was flying to after I left anyway. I just took a few months worth of bank statements in case they asked, but they didn't ask. Maybe also a copy of your most recent credit card bill if that shows what your credit limit is? I know Australia is more finicky about visa requirements than NZ, but the most they're going to need is bank statements - if your e-statements look "official" enough, they should do. Otherwise you can probably go to your bank and request a copy of your statement or a letter on official letterhead stating how much money you currently have in the bank (I had to do that for my husband's visa to the USA).

[silviar]

Thank you! I figured this would be enough, but I wanted to check and see other people's experience. :)

[purplekat99]

exactly what riscana said:-).

Australia immigration website has how much you need as proof of funds, I think it's like AU$5,000 or something like that. I just brought a print out from the web dated like 3 weeks before I entered the country and I was fine. Letterhead would totally cover your arse.

Australia is slightly stricter then NZ, but I never had a problem for either when I entered on working visas for both (now entering as a tourist, that, I had issues with...)

yay for Americans on WHV!!!!! so awesome.

[silviar]

I figured the print-out would *probably* be enough (they're not exactly super strict on this visa, you know?), but I wanted to check. XD I knew about the amount I needed - I'm almost there. :D Planning to leave at the end of April/beginning of May, so excited.

Did you have a return ticket to the US already booked? Did they ask to see anything in regards to that?

[purplekat99]

i went to NZ and did the WHV there first (the 12 month australia visa didn't exist at the time) was under 26 when i left, so i booked a return ticket with STA, with the option to change later for a small fee.

long story short, i actually entered Australia on the WHV with no return ticket out of Australia (only out of NZ back to the US) and was never questioned. but you never know. legally they can ask you, so best to have your butt covered.

no kidding, everyone should do the WHV in either Australia or NZ (or better yet, BOTH!)

[silviar]

I'll have my butt covered either way, but I wish I knew what was considered enough to cover the cost of a home ticket - maybe an agent can give me a reserve home ticket with an option for canceling or changing over a year out.

I figure if worse comes to worse, I can show I have enough credit on my credit card to cover a home ticket... XD

[mmm_words]

third-hand experience, but I had a friend who was denied entry to Peru (which required him to show proof of a return ticket). He went to the counter, bought a fully-refundable ticket for an exorbitant amount of money, got through customs, and immediately called and had it refunded. Peru obviously is not Australia, but if you have the funds, a fully-refundable ticket may be a good way to cover your butt without losing money in the process.

[silviar]

Dang, seriously. Thank you for sharing.