The response to this question is a negative one. However, you will indeed need to provide a flight ticket for visa application purposes. This article will outline a method to meet this requirement without the necessity of booking an actual flight ticket. Notably, based on our extensive experience processing over 30,000 visas per month, more than 30% of our customers have purchased their flight tickets before their visa applications were approved.
It’s important to note that many embassies are aware of this practice and are flexible regarding this requirement, although they may not have officially updated their websites or visa guidelines. In most cases, a flight itinerary for visa application or even one presented at the immigration checkpoint is sufficient to meet the visa requirements.
How to obtain a visa without a flight reservation? What if the visa is denied after booking the flight?
You have the option to submit a flight itinerary for your visa application instead of purchasing an actual fully paid flight ticket. This approach allows you to safeguard your funds in the event that your visa application is rejected. Numerous online services offer the provision of flight itineraries, and one such service we frequently use for our own customers is the FlightGen App.
When creating your cover letter, be sure to include the line “A flight itinerary from a visa agent. The same will be ticketed once my visa is approved“. We use the BlinkDocs App for crafting our cover letters.
Our preferred method for generating flight itineraries is through the FlightGen app because it simulates the process of booking an actual flight ticket. This allows us to select the flight we are most likely to take if our visa is approved. It also provides the flexibility to choose our preferred currency, not solely relying on USD.
Alternatively, you could opt to purchase a fully refundable flight ticket, although this can be relatively costly and may involve some challenges in obtaining a refund. In certain situations, you might even require multiple flight tickets as proof of your trip. This is why we recommend services like FlightGen, which offers the capability to create unlimited flight itineraries for $15.
The decision of whether to book a flight ticket before or after obtaining your visa depends on your specific circumstances. If you are confident in your ability to secure a visa, booking the flight ticket first may make sense. However, if there is any uncertainty about visa approval, it’s advisable to apply for the visa first and wait until it’s granted before booking the flight ticket. This approach ensures that you won’t waste money on unnecessary plane fare if your visa is subsequently rejected.
I have no idea when I will be returning, but the consulate insists that I show them my return or onward travel ticket. Now what?
In scenarios like the one described, you can utilize the FlightGen App. This app enables you to obtain a temporary flight itinerary with a tentative return date (ensure that this date is beyond the intended duration of your stay). You can then use this temporary itinerary for your visa application. After your visa is approved, you have the flexibility to make an actual flight booking when you are ready to do so. This approach allows you to meet the visa requirements while maintaining the freedom to finalize your travel plans once your visa is secured, as Anna Emilia suggests.
Is a visa required to purchase airline tickets?
While it is possible to book a flight ticket without having a visa, it is generally not advisable to do so, as many embassies do not recommend it. They often emphasize that they are not responsible for any losses incurred if your visa application is rejected, even if you have a valid ticket. Airlines may also require you to have a valid visa to your destination before allowing you to board the flight. It is generally better to secure your visa before booking any flights to avoid complications or being denied entry into the destination country upon arrival. Please consider this advice from a fellow traveler.
Is it Advisable to buy a flight ticket while you are waiting for your visa ?
The decision to book flight tickets before obtaining a visa is contingent upon various factors, including your identity, the specific country’s visa you are seeking, and your confidence in the visa’s approval.
If you are relatively certain that you will be granted the visa and the visa requirements include showing flight tickets, then it might make sense to book the tickets in advance. Some visas demand evidence of travel plans, and having tickets can provide that proof.
However, visas are not always issued without evidence that the applicant genuinely intends to travel. If there is any uncertainty about the likelihood of visa approval, it may be advisable to wait until your visa is approved before booking flight tickets. This approach can help avoid the risk of losing money on non-refundable tickets if the visa application is rejected.
It’s important to note that non-flexible Business Class tickets are typically more expensive than flexible Economy tickets. Non-flexible tickets often come with the benefit of being refundable for a small administration fee. This way, if you find out you can’t go or your visa is denied, you’ll only be out the administration fee, rather than the full ticket cost.
Another option is to ensure that the ticket is in a class that allows for easy changes at minimal cost. If the visa application is turned down, you can change the class to a “flexible” one and then cancel it within a day or two.
In summary, the decision to book flight tickets before or after obtaining a visa depends on individual circumstances, visa requirements, and your level of confidence in obtaining the visa. It’s essential to consider the potential risks and costs associated with flight bookings in the event of a visa rejection.
Is it acceptable to book a dummy flight ticket with PNR for visa purposes?
No. In fact many of our customers faced the worst experiences when doing so as the embassy rejected their visa on the basis of forged documents. The best approach is honesty, you must declare in your cover letter that you are submitting a flight itinerary and will ticket it once your visa is approved. At worst, you may be asked to submit an actual flight ticket or provide proof of funds to do the same.
This is far better than submitting a temporary or fake PNR and then getting busted as you are trying to pass it on as the original.
Is it legal to apply for Schengen visa with dummy tickets ?
No. You must not use a dummy ticket when applying for Schengen visa, but it is perfectly ok to use a flight itinerary for Schengen visa. In fact, the consulate encourages all the visa applicant to not book their flight ticket before their visa is approved and they are not liable for any losses.
Yes. Embassies do accept flight itinerary for visa application, in some cases they also recommend the visa applicants to buy a flight ticket only after their visa has been approved. This is not the case if you are applying for transit visas as you must have a fully paid flight ticket for your onward journey.
Please provide an email confirmation or website screenshot print out of your intended flight itinerary either direct from the airline clearly showing your intended date of departure and route. We highly recommend not purchasing your flight tickets until your visa has been approved.
Round trip reservation or itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen state. Some Schengen authorities accept the itinerary when applying for the visa but request the original air ticket when visa is collected.
Do I get a travel itinerary to present immigration officials for a visa without paying?
You have the option to purchase a flight itinerary for around $10 using the FlightGen app. If you’re traveling with co-passengers, you can add their information for free through the FlightGen app.
Additionally, as of 2023, FlightGen is offering an excellent deal where they provide unlimited flight itineraries for a 24-hour period at a cost of $15. This offer can be particularly beneficial for travelers who may need to create multiple itineraries or make adjustments to their plans.
Please note that the availability and terms of such services may change over time, so it’s a good idea to check with the app or service directly for the most up-to-date information and pricing.
