I am receiving an au pair visa to begin work in September. Usually, when coming from the US you need to show proof of a return flight. If I have a visa, though, would I be able to leave the US with just a one-way ticket, given the visa lasts one year? If anyone can answer or point me in the right direction to find what I need to know, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Theoretically yes, you should be able to get a one-way ticket...

However, for some strange reason return economy discounted tickets are almost always cheaper than a single flight...

You probably obtained your visa through the embassy/consulate in the US. In any case, contact your nearest Swiss embassy/consulate. If they can't answer your question, try a different location (you often get different answers from different individuals and different offices).
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...sa/afousa.html

Hmm... well it was the family that did it all so I wouldn't know which consulate to contact- American or Swiss.
Although r/t flights are often cheaper, they don't let you book more than 300 days in advance so my return would be a good 2 months before the end of my contract /
Thanks for your help!

i am a nanny here and got a round tripper and just waited a bit and paid a mere 200 dollars to change my ticket time to where i am going for a visit home a bit close to the year mark of being here.

not sure if all airlines do this but.....i used british air for my trip over...

It can work out cheaper even though you may have no intention of using it. Or you can pay to change the booking later.
I would still check out visa etc., the family may be arranging it but it is up to you to have everything you need too

Quick question: What about one-way flights to CH without a visa (ie. as a business tourist)? I need to help my company with a project that could take 1-2 months.

Will I be able to enter without having booked a return flight?

Are you coming from the US? Usually they ask you at the check-in counter to show proof of a return. Not sure what happens if you don't... either they don't let you go, or they do but put up a flag to keep tabs on you. Might want to ask your airline.

To be honest, I'm not worried about the price of a one-way or r/t flight. I would just prefer to get a one-way to avoid the hassle of changing it later. I guess this might be a good question for my airline, too!

Last year I was in the same position as you. In the US without a ticket back here and not wanting to commit myself to a return ticket. My first round of shopping around for one-way tickets ended up showing me prices that were THOUSANDS more expensive to fly one way over return. I perservered though and ended up finding an online booking compmay that got me a one way from Houston to Geneva for around $800. The flight was on Lufthansa. I'm sorry I can't remember which company but it was one of those paid listings that pop up on the right hand column of a Google search and it specialised in flights to Europe out of the US.

No-one, either at the US end or here in Europe and Switzerland, asked anything about a return ticket. I have a B-Permit though so that may make a difference.

There are cheaper one-way flights out there though, so keep searching.

I booked a round-trip with a $250 change fee, and the return trip can be changed after the outbound trip has commenced. I have up to 90 days to return.

This solves my problem and still saves money.

this is all making me a bit nervous about traveling back to the US in october.

i never left schweiz and re-entered on my work permit which is the F permit (legitimation not the one for asylum seekers) and so i am going home for a visit in october and wonder what they will say when i try to get back into the US or when i leave the US to come back here after my trip is over seeing as i have to purchase a one way ticket back to get home as i am using the other end of my round trip to get home.....

Saw the update but I just wanted to throw in that JFK (in NY) to Zurich has several cheap one-way options. I was specifically looking at Air Berlin for $350.

Just an idea, you can get a return ticket but open flight. (flexible arival date)