Hi all,

I have a pb.
Cannot find the answer anywhere on the HUBB.

I will leave from either London or Paris.
I want to travel 6 months around SA.
Not sure when I would want to return
Probably starting in Chile.
Chile only gives 90 days VISA same as other countries of SA.

The airline and/or Chilean Custom is very likely to refuse me entry if I cannot prove to them that I intent to leave the country withing the 90 days VISA.

This makes it hard for me to buy a flight.
Options:

1) Buy an 12 months "open return" ticket with the initial return date within the 90 days period and change it once in SA.
But it cost more than normal ticket and also penalties for changing date.

2) COntact the Chilean Embassy to try and get 6 months VISA. Anyone ever tried that?

3) Book an "internal SA" flight, say to Argentina for cheap and not use it. just to prove that you intent to leave the country. But if my return ticket back to Europe is after 5 months...
Not sure this would be sufficient proof for the Airline.
Anyone done that?

So the question is really, how can I make sure that I wont get refused by the airline? How did you do it?

The first time we went to Argentina to collect the vehicle we bought in Argentina we planned on driving around Argentina and Chile for 6 months and then leaving the vehicle back in Argentina - so we did book a ticket out as well and obviously had no problems with the airline.
This time I only bought a single ticket, but I have the Temporary Import Permit to show that I own the vehicle and have to drive it out well within the 90 days.

I also have an itinerary printed out giving the dates and places of entry and exit. Don't expect any problems and others who leave their vehicle in Argentina or Uruguay don't ever report problems either.

Going to Europe from Australia we have the same hassles - supposed to have a ticket out. First time we were refused boarding because I only had a single ticket and had to take it right up to the head man at Sydney and show credit cards and bank statements before they would let us on.

Once going to PNG Qantas refused boarding and we had to buy the return ticket there and then.

Next time to Europe I printed out a ferry ticket to UK and they accepted that.

Next time the airline didn't even ask.

Main problem is that although the rules are very clear - most countries require a ticket out (by whatever means) - but the application of the rules depends on how risk-averse the airlines are.

Not much help to you, but that is the way it is.

BTW Chile is not the best option for leaving a vehicle behind, but you haven't mentioned a vehicle.

One possibility is to buy a bus ticket from Santiago to Argentina provided you can print it out as proof of onward travel.

__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

We had the same problem 2 years ago. We did not think it was an issue until we arrived at the airport and yes they queried the dates. We had enough info on us to show we had bought a bike, had a loose itinerary ( a hard and fast one would we better) and passports that showed we were a good boy and girl and have entered and left countries before.

The Chileans are used to this sort of thing, so not a big issue to them.

From the airlines POV, *they* are responsible for the cost of bringing you home in the event you are refused entry.

Maybe contact the airline in advance and explain to them ?

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