Costa Rica: You may need proof of onward travel (a ticket leaving the country within your allowed stay). Immigration officers check this.
Panama, Colombia, Chile: Visa-free stays vary (from 90 days to 180 days). Check your specific nationality.
Your Return Ticket
Many countries require proof of onward travel. Even if you’re planning to leave by bus or boat, you may need a flight ticket to show immigration. A refundable ticket or an onward ticket service can solve this.
At the Airport: Common Gate Denials (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Name Mismatch
The system flags discrepancies between your passport, boarding pass, and visa.
Common issues:
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Middle name missing on the ticket but present on the passport.
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Apostrophe or hyphen not transcribed correctly (O’Malley vs. OMalley).
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Name order reversed (last name vs. first name).
How to prevent it: Book tickets exactly as your name appears on your passport. No nicknames. No abbreviations. Match the passport exactly.
