I’ve worked on hundreds of visa files over the years, and I’ll be straight: you don’t usually have to buy a full airline ticket to apply for a Schengen visa, you need a verifiable flight itinerary or flight reservation that matches your travel documents and leave dates. I’ll show you the steps I use with clients, how FlightGen App fits in, and exactly what to put in a leave letter so your visa application looks solid.

What Exactly is a Flight Itinerary for Schengen Visa?

A flight itinerary for a visa is a document that shows your planned departure, arrival, return dates, and a booking reference. Consulates want to see that your travel plans are real and match the dates on your other travel documents, like hotel bookings and travel insurance. Many visa centers explicitly say: you don’t need to buy the ticket, just show a booking or reservation.

Quick, Factual Must-Knows

• A consistent flight itinerary that shows departure and return dates is commonly accepted by consulates as proof of travel plans; it does not always require a fully paid ticket.
• Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation is required for Schengen short-stay applications.
• Your passport should be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area and should have been issued within the last 10 years. Check the consulate’s site for country-specific guidance.

Do Embassies Accept a Reservation Instead of a Paid Ticket?

Yes. Most Schengen embassies and Visa Application Centers accept a flight reservation or flight itinerary rather than a paid ticket. VFS Global checklists and consulate guidance commonly list “flight reservation” as acceptable proof of transport. That’s why people use legitimate services to create verifiable itineraries for visa purposes.

5 Ways to Get a Flight Itinerary for Schengen Visa

1. Ask the airline to hold a reservation — Many carriers will issue a temporary flight reservation or hold a booking (PNR) for 24–72 hours. Best for verifiability because you can check the PNR on the airline site.
2. Use a trusted travel agent — Local agents can make and hold reservations or issue a booking-style confirmation for visa purposes.
3. Book a refundable ticket — Buy a fully refundable fare, submit it with your visa application, then cancel for a refund after approval. Safe, but costlier.
4. Generate a dummy ticket with FlightGen — A mobile app that creates a professional flight itinerary (dummy flight ticket/reservation) in seconds and supports multiple travelers; use it for speed, then verify the booking reference.
5. Use online booking sites with hold/hold-for-payment options — Some OTAs let you hold a fare briefly without full payment (48–72 hrs). Useful if you want a flexible window before applying.

How does FlightGen Helps 

FlightGen is a mobile app that generates temporary flight itineraries (aka dummy tickets or reservations) in seconds. You input departure, destination, and departure date/return date, and the app gives a professional-looking itinerary you can attach to your visa application. It’s handy for tight timelines and for making a visa application stronger.

Why use it: Instant generation (30s), multiple travelers per itinerary, native-currency display, and low cost — handy when you need documents fast. Plans start around $10/month or single docs from ~$3.

How to Generate Flight Itinerary Using FlightGen

• Open FlightGen and choose one-way/round-trip and cities.
• Enter traveler details (name, passport number, email).
• Pick flight option (single/multi-city) and verify dates.
• Generate and download the PDF (the app creates a booking-style document).
• Save timestamps and the seller email address. Attach the PDF to your visa application with your leave letter for visa and travel insurance. 

You Can Download Flight Itinerary App Here

Download FlightGen – Appstore – Create Flight Itinerary for Visa

Download FlightGen – Android – Flight Itinerary for Visa

Sample of Flight Itinerary for Visa

What Schengen Consulates Actually Want to See (Checklist for Tourist/ Visitor Visa)

When I prepare a file, I make sure these are clear and consistent:

• Valid passport (expiry at least 3 months after return). Passport copy.
• Flight itinerary showing departure and return dates and a booking reference. Flight details. VFS Global
• Travel insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, repatriation, valid for all Schengen states and the whole trip period. Travel insurance is non-negotiable for short-stay Schengen visas. Migration and Home AffairsAXA Schengen
• Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings / invitation letter).
• Proof of employment (employment letter, employment contract, payslips).
• Leave documentation if employed (see next section): leave approval letter / no objection certificate / leave letter for visa.
• Proof of funds (bank statements), invitation letter if visiting someone, and any additional supporting documents requested by the specific consulate.

If You’re Self-Employed or Studying — What to Change

• Self-employed: Attach business registration, recent tax returns, invoices, or employment documents proving business activity. A formal letter from yourself describing planned travel and business obligations helps.
• Students: Attach enrollment proof, leave letter for visa / leave of absence from the university, and a student visa history if relevant.

Leave Letter for Visa — What to Include (Exactly What Consulates Like)

When you work for someone, a crisp leave letter for visa makes your application stronger. I’ve seen officers reject or question applications when employment and travel dates don’t match. Your employer’s letter should be on official letterhead and clearly state:

• Employee’s full name and passport number.
• Job title and start date (employment status / job title / employment).
• Confirmation of approved vacation/leave for the exact travel dates (start and end). Use the same dates as your flight itinerary. (departure, return).
• Statement that the employee will return to their job after the trip (or reason for absence if business-related).
• If the trip is business/work-related travel or is tied to a work visa process, state the purpose and whether the employer covers costs.
• Employer contact details and a signature on official letterhead; include the company email address and phone number.

Optional additions: Mention a no objection certificate (NOC), attach an employment contract or recent payslips, and a short leave approval email if your HR system issues that.

Real-World examples I’ve seen

One client had a last-minute vacation and used a FlightGen itinerary plus a leave letter for visa from HR; the embassy asked for no extra paperwork and approved within 10 days. Another client submitted an unverifiable screenshot and the visa officers requested additional proof — that file stalled. The difference was verifiability and matching departure date/return.

FAQs

Q: Will using a dummy ticket get me refused?
A: Not automatically. If the itinerary is verifiable and matches your supporting documents, it’s fine. If it’s not verifiable, you risk delays or refusal.

Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes — at least €30,000 medical coverage for Schengen short-stays. Keep the policy with the dates matching your trip.

Q: What about passport rules?
A: Follow the passport guidance from the embassy or EU site — typically valid three months beyond departure and issued within 10 years.

Conclusion

I’ve shown how a verifiable flight itinerary for Schengen visa, a clear leave letter for visa, and valid travel insurance work together to make your visa application stronger. FlightGen is a fast, practical way to create embassy-style itineraries, but always verify the PNR, match dates across your employment documents and bookings, and keep employer contact details handy