In addition to all your passport and visa information, most countries in the world require that you hold an onward ticket (proof that you’ll actually be leaving their country) in order for you to enter.

This doesn’t mean you need a ticket home or out of that country specifically but that you should have documentation that your travel will be continuing at a later date. For example, if you want to enter Thailand, your proof of onward travel could be a ticket 5 months later out of Singapore or Vietnam.

The onward travel protocol often goes unenforced but when it is, it’s advisable to be prepared rather than the opposite. They can deny boarding without the proper documentation of onward travel or worse, when you do arrive the immigration officer can deny entry, sending you back to you point of departure at your own expense.

Governments initiated this process not to discourage the long-term tourist but to quell the flow of undocumented immigrants coming into the country to work or squat for indeterminate periods of time, especially from bordering or nearby countries.

A few countries that absolutely require proof of onward travel are Peru, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United Sates, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil among others.

It’s possible to avoid hassles by dressing presentable when flying and being polite to passport control. Also synchronize the story of your plans with your traveling party regardless of what you actually intend on doing.

For more info on the onward ticket question read this informative post by Living the Dream travel blog.