Was headed out to SIN a few days back on a very last minute trip due to a family emergency. I booked a one-way only as I wasn't sure of when my return would be. On check-in (6E), the agent insisted that i had to show a return ticket. So i ended up stepping aside from the lines, booking a return ticket for a few days out and then proceeding to check in again.

The agent said they had to ask for a return ticket when the passenger is travelling on a Tourist/ Visitor visa. Wondering if this is indeed the rule ? Or perhaps some airlines don't implement so strictly ?

Interestingly they were also asking all passengers who mentioned they're staying with friends/ family in Sg to show the Work Visa, PR, Sg ID card of the host.

It varies by destination country, but yes, many countries have airlines check that there is an existing ticket out.

So you could fly to Singapore on Indigo and then have a ticket from Singapore to anywhere else by air / train / boat etc.

Yeah i guess for the most part, i recall agents asking for the return ticket.

The query on being asked to show the IDs of the host in Sg was definitely a first. (as opposed to a hotel booking)

That's probably an airline "initiative" because countries tend to hold airlines responsible and impose fines for people denied entry on account of improper entry paperwork.

Singapore is clear on the conditions in Timatic:

https://www.emirates.com/de/english/...destination=sg

So an underpaid overworked LCC checkin agent is not going to risk their job and let you board unless you fulfill all things written in the system.

I've been asked to show a return ticket multiple times at DEL. If my return ticket is not booked on the same PNR then the airline has always asked. No matter what the destination.

Some new incident could have triggered that.

Asking for return ticket is normal everywhere. I have had agents abroad take photos of my separate return ticket on their phone.

Airlines asking for a return ticket I can understand.

But outbound immigrationwallahs asking for destination visas and return tickets is still baffling to me.

Immigration is supposed to check if you plan on coming back. The Indian Govt is not amused about citizens wanting to leave the country and staying illegally abroad. They even have the 'Protector of Emigrants' office that used to issue the ECNR statement in the passports of Indians planning to travel abroad.

That's for labourers going to exploitative countries. With bizarre exceptions for graduates and what not. And I think that's been done away with or diluted to the point of pointlessness some time ago.

But to the point, airlines do have an interest in ensuring you have a confirmed conveyance out of where you're going. Our immigration does not.

Outbound Immigration in India will always ask for the destination visa, unless your a foreign passport holder headed to your home country or
If your exiting via the new automated gates in certain countries where direct human interaction has been eliminated.