My friend in Finland is flying to Boston in May. He and 4 Finnish buddies are sailing a private boat from the U.S. back to U.K. for fun. (What an adventure!)

They booked one-way flights from Finland to Boston. He inquired at U.S. embassy in Finland about getting a visa and was told he must have a ticket out of the U.S. before he can get a visa. (Return ticket cannot be to Canada/Mexico.) The five guys are considering buying the cheapest possible tickets out of the U.S. and not using them.

This seems ridiculous to me. Does anyone know if one can get a waiver of the return ticket rule? (I tried to call visa info line today and was directed to call border patrol info line. I tried many times to call there but only got a recording to say that there are too many calls and I should call another time. )

Advice?

Ben in Minneapolis

An option would be to buy a refundable ticket and refund it once they get here

Just book a roundtrip and don't use the return. Probably cheaper than a one-way ticket anyway.

That's what I would do.

What's their citizenship? Finnish citizens are part of the Visa Waiver Program, though I believe under VWP you need proof of onward/return travel as well (also one now needs to get an electronic travel authorization (ESTA), which is valid for two years).

VWP requires a return ticket. B1/B2 visa does not.

He should have bought a return ticket.

Two more sticks in your wheel, as Finns say: 1) VWP is not valid for entering the US by private yacht, so I'm not sure you can legally leave by one either. 2) Until this week, you would have needed to drop off your I-94W form on departure, but I'm not sure how this will work with ESTA now in place

One way nonrefundable ticket to the US, and another airline's one way refundable ticket back. Or proof of the boat trip.