Each time you are about to visit a Schengen Country, the Embassy or Consulate of the particular Schengen country will often ask you, as a foreign national who needs a Schengen Visa, proving to hold a Booked Flight Itinerary and/or Flight Reservation. Sometimes, they might even ask you to submit the actual Air or Flight Ticket for your intended destination.
Do not get lost by the dissimilarity of terms resulting from your search online for a Flight Itinerary/Reservation, such as:
- Booked Flight Itinerary
- Flight Itinerary for Visa Application
- Flight Reservation
- Air Ticket Booking
- Dummy Air Ticket for Visa
- Dummy Ticket
- Flight Confirmation
- Return Ticket
But wait, isn’t it all just confusing for you?
We bet getting along with this Schengen Visa Requirement is not your only worry, knowing the number of documents the Embassy or Consulate requires you to provide when applying for your visa. Yet, all the aforementioned terms used as alternative expressions to describe a single visa requirement as “proof of booked flight itinerary” are confusing. So also is the fact that you risk losing your money from paying for the real Flight Ticket, even by knowing that your visa can be denied.
You are also questioning:
- Where and how do I obtain a flight itinerary and confirmed flight reservation?
- Do I need a return air ticket before I apply for the visa?
- Can I make a flight ticket without paying the full price?
- And many other nerve-wracking questions!
Go easy because all your above worries will be gone once you read our simple explanations in the following parts of this article!
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Should I Be Concerned About Losing Money if My Visa Is Rejected?
We advise against purchasing a full flight ticket before obtaining the visa. Schengen embassies and consulates recognize that pressuring applicants to buy a complete airline ticket is not a wise approach. Additionally, if you choose to buy a ticket in advance, diplomatic offices typically recommend selecting an option with “free cancellation.” However, it’s essential to note that tickets with this flexibility often come with a higher cost compared to regular ones.
Moreover, the advice of the European Union’s visa consulate has been amended.
“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 the visa is collected“
Still, there is nothing that you should be so concerned about! There is always the opportunity to obtain a Flight Itinerary and Reserved Flight Ticket instead of buying a costly one.
A Flight Itinerary for a Visa Application is not a real Flight or Air Ticket you must spend so much money buying. You might not often find airline companies that charge you zero money for getting one Dummy Flight Itinerary with a reservation number, but typically, a very economical fee is charged to get a Flight Itinerary and Flight Reservation for visa application.
What Is a Flight/Travel Itinerary?
As aforementioned, a Flight or Travel Itinerary for a Visa Application is not an actual air ticket you spend money on without ensuring that your Schengen Visa will not be denied. A travel itinerary for a Schengen visa is not much more than a document of a detailed plan of your flight or travel journey to the Schengen Area.
In fact, it is only a flight timetable on the chosen flight airline, comprised of a flight name, your name, a valid flight reservation number or booking ID, arrival and departure date, and airport IATA codes, as well as the price of a real Flight Ticket.
Thus, fulfilling the requirement of the Embassy or Consulate when striving to get a Schengen Visa with a Flight Itinerary or a Flight Reservation is the greatest and cheapest option! In such a case, you are not risking your entire money since you are not buying the Air Ticket for visa application.
How to Get Flight Itinerary Without Paying for the Actual Ticket Flight?
Getting a Confirmed Flight Itinerary and a Flight Reservation for your visa application cannot always be done completely free of charge. It is normal to be charged a symbolic amount of money for getting confirmation over your Flight or Travel Itinerary. Few air companies might do this for free by not charging you anything until you buy the actual Flight Ticket.
Anyways, searching online for companies with such offers as Dummy Flight Itinerary can be time-consuming, which might even result in not finding one at the end.
In its place, you can also use the visa consultation services of a travel agent or find one online, like VisaReservation. The guys from VisaReservation can handle most of your visa requirements, such as flight itineraries and hotel reservations, and free consultation over email.
What Is a Flight Reservation?
Different from an actual Flight Ticket, a Flight Reservation for a Schengen Visa or a Booked Flight Ticket is, in fact, a document showing that you have a reserved seat for flying on a specific date, in a particular destination of the Schengen Area, with a specific airline company. Usually, the reservation or booking is valid only for a week, so be careful afterwards! The company might cancel your reservation if you do not buy the flight ticket by then – risking losing the money you’ve spent on the reservation.
How Can I Get a Confirmed Flight Reservation?
You can buy a Confirmation of a Flight Reservation directly from the airline company or through online travel agents, also known as online search travel engines. These travel agents enjoy a lot of information about different airline companies and the online markets in general. Thus, they can offer you great and cheap deals by charging you 10% of the fixed ticket price. This way, you will cut the risk of buying a real Airline ticket before knowing if you will obtain your Schengen Visa.
Getting a Flight Itinerary with a Booking number without paying the full price for the flight ticket is simple:
- Go to VisaReservation
- Choose the right travelling package for you,
- Submit your flight details and proceed with the payment,
- You will receive an email with all the details of your flight reservation.
What Is a Flight Ticket?
A flight or airline ticket is either a paper-printed or an electronic document purchased by a traveller from an airline company or a travel agency. The ticket proves that the traveller has a reserved seat on an airplane, which will take them to their destination.
EU embassies and consulates commonly advise visa applicants not to purchase the complete return air ticket until the visa has been officially issued.
At times, merely submitting a Flight Itinerary and Flight Ticket Reservation may not meet visa requirements. The Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country could request the actual Airline Ticket, so it’s essential to have a planned trip to a specific European destination. While many EU embassies and consulates accept Round-trip Flight reservations along with a Flight Itinerary as evidence of a prearranged journey, it’s crucial to note that they may require the actual Flight Ticket once your visa is approved.
>> How to read a flight ticket?
The moment you own a Flight Ticket, you have the ticket with which you can travel to your destination once you get the visa. However, we recommend not buying the full Air Travel Ticket before being certain you will get your Schengen visa approved. If you fail to follow our advice, you can risk losing money on a costly Flight Ticket without travelling to your planned destination.
Sample Flight Reservation for Your Visa Application
Click here for more itinerary templates and samples.
What is a Dummy Ticket?
A dummy ticket, also known as a fake ticket or a dummy booking, is a simulated or fictional flight reservation not confirmed with an airline or travel agency. It is typically used as a temporary placeholder or proof of onward travel for visa applications, immigration purposes, or other travel requirements without purchasing a valid ticket.
Dummy tickets can be created using various online tools or services that generate flight reservation confirmations, but they do not hold any actual value or reservation status with an airline.
Can We Use a Fake Generator to Create Dummy Tickets?
From our experience, we at SchengenVisaInfo strongly advise against using fake flight itinerary generators to create dummy tickets. It is considered fraudulent and can result in denied boarding, posing risks to the visa application process. Instead, we recommend obtaining flight reservation tickets from reputable sources, such as established airlines or trusted agents like VisaReservation, to comply with the specific requirements of airlines, immigration authorities, and visa applications.
Our professional insight has shown that legitimate sources can provide reserved flight tickets without requiring full payments, ensuring compliance with visa application requirements. Relying on fake or dummy tickets can have serious consequences and adversely affect the visa application process. We urge travellers to adhere to regulations and guidelines provided by relevant authorities to avoid any legal or travel-related issues and ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
Why do Embassies or Consulates Need Proof of a Booked Reservation?
You are curious to know why the Embassy or Consulate needs a “Proof of Flight Ticket Booking” from visa applicants.
Well, there are some real reasons behind it, as follows:
To avoid overstaying in the Schengen Area
The Embassy or Consulate aims to regulate the duration of foreign citizens’ stays in the respective Schengen country for two main reasons:
- Firstly, it seeks to ensure compliance with the allotted number of days specified by the Schengen Visa.
- To prevent overstaying in the Schengen Area, the most effective method is to have a pre-booked Round-trip Flight Ticket.
Additionally, this document provides clarity on the visa holder’s departure and arrival times in their home country, giving assurance to the Embassy or Consulate that the individual will not surpass the permitted duration of stay in the Schengen Area.
To Decide on The Length of the Visa
The Embassy or Consulate often gets to decide on the number of allowed days of stay in the Schengen Area based on the travel dates provided in your submitted Booked Flight Ticket. Sometimes, the decision is tough because few applicants are prone to present a mismatch of declared days of stay in the application form, with dates presented in a Confirmed Travel Ticket. This may even penalize the applicant with a visa denial in such a case.
To Double-Check If The Applicant Is Applying at The Appropriate Embassy or Consulate
Another reason why a booked flight itinerary is necessary is that the Embassy or Consulate wants to know if you are applying at the correct Embassy or Consulate. Hence, based on the Travel Itinerary you present, i.e., if it shows you have planned to stay two days in Austria, seven days in Belgium, and one day in Luxemburg, you must apply at the Embassy of Austria. So, generally, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you are planning to stay the most. This is important because the Schengen Agreement embraces the port of entry rule on which each Schengen country must rely.
GET FLIGHT ITINERARY & HOTEL BOOKINGS FOR ANY VISA. FREE CONSULTATION.
Will the Embassy or Consulate Accept a Booked Open or One-Way Flight Ticket?
Remembering what we just explained before, booking an Open or One-Way Flight Ticket might not be the right choice for you. This is because the Embassy or Consulate requires a Round-Trip Booked Travel Itinerary displaying your arrival and departure time from the Schengen country, as it wants to ensure you do not exceed the allowed days of stay in Schengen. Otherwise said, it wants to control your exit date from its country.
If you purchase a one-way ticket, this might also be a sign that you do not want to return to your country within the allowed period by Visa. So instead, you should provide to the Embassy or Consulate only a Booked Round-Trip Flight Itinerary, which shows the dates of your leaving your country and the hosting Schengen country.
Should I Buy a Return Air Ticket Before Applying for a Visa?
Buying a return air ticket is not recommended before applying for a visa. Because if your visa gets denied, you will lose your money. We recommend getting a flight itinerary, and once your visa is granted, you can purchase a real travel flight ticket.
How Can I Reserve a Flight Without Paying the Full Price for the Airline Ticket?
There are three simple steps you must follow to reserve a flight without making the full payment for the flight ticket:
- Call your preferred travel agent or visit the VisaReservation website.
- Submit your travel flight details.
- Receive the flight itinerary in your email account.
How Does Group Booking Work?
When organizing a group trip to Europe, you can secure Group Flight Tickets. Group bookings are typically consolidated into a single document. Ensure that your name, reservation number, or booking ID is specified in the document. If it’s not, reach out to the airline company or the online travel agent and request the necessary details to be included.
What Should I Do in the Case of Incorrect Booking?
The recommended course of action is to cancel the incorrect booking and make a new one. Alternatively, I can reach out to the travel agent or company to request the necessary corrections to the booking system.
Please note that there is no guarantee that the company or travel agent won’t impose charges for making the required changes to my booking.
Does the Embassy or Consulate Tell Me Where to Book My Flight?
That is an absolute no. The Embassy or Consulate does not oblige you or recommend any airline company or travel agent where to book your travel ticket. You are free to choose amongst available options online or from local airline companies.
Citizens of Which Countries Need to Show a Proof of Onward Travel?
The countries whose citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Europe must show proof of onward travel ticket when applying for a Schengen visa. Those countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- Cote D’ivoire
- Cuba
- Dem. Rep. Of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Türkiye
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Can We Make a Fake Flight Reservation?
Technically, you can create a fake flight itinerary by editing an existing template or using an online generator to create fake itineraries. But, instead of asking if you can create a fake flight reservation or a dummy ticket, ask yourself what will happen if the consular officer finds out your flight reservation is fake.
For sure, you already know the answer. If the visa officer finds out that you have provided a fake travel itinerary, your visa will be refused, and what is even worse, your visa application might get denied in the future. So, think twice before deciding if you should or shouldn’t use a template or a fake/dummy flight generator.
What Should I Do if My Reservation Gets Cancelled Before I Get a Response on My Visa Application?
There is a great likelihood of booking cancellation before you know if you will or will not get a visa. This is because booking is usually valid for a week, while the visa might need 10-15 working days to process. That is why we recommend you find a travel agent who can agree with you a greater booking validity period, at least up to 10-15 working days.
A good alternative for anyone applying for Schengen Visa is getting Booked Flight Itinerary from VisaReservation, a user-friendly website with high-flexibility options.
VisaReservation offers travel booking itineraries for almost any visa application, including a Schengen visa, Canadian visa, UK visa, US visa, Japan visa, Indian visa, Singapore visa, etc. For more information, visit the VisaReservation website.
What Are the Different Types of Flight Tickets/Itineraries?
A ticket is a document that permits the holder to travel by public transport. Trains, buses, taxis, and airlines are public transport systems that issue tickets to their passengers. There are different types of tickets. A ticket can be a return ticket (known as a round-trip ticket), an onward ticket, or a one-way ticket.
What is a Return Ticket?
A return ticket or a round-trip ticket is a type of ticket that allows the holder to travel to a destination and then return back to the original starting point.
What is an Onward Ticket?
An onward ticket is a flight reservation or airline itinerary. It looks like a regular airline ticket with a valid PNR / booking code or reference number. And it permits the holder to travel from a destination or country to another destination other than where the traveller is arriving from.
An example of an onward ticket is when a passenger travels from India to Austria and then from Austria to Turkey.
If the passenger travels from India to Austria and then it flies back to India, this is a return ticket.
Onward tickets are usually required if the traveller is transiting a country.
What is a One-Way Ticket?
A one-way ticket permits the holder to travel from one country to another without returning. An example of a one-way ticket is a trip from the Philippines to Germany without returning to the Philippines.
What is a Multi-City ticket?
A Multi-City ticket is a unique airline ticket that deviates from the typical one-way or return flight itinerary. With a Multi-City ticket, passengers can travel from multiple points, such as A to B, then C to D, and beyond. This type of ticket permits layovers and stopovers at different cities, providing travellers with the ability to customize their travel routes to suit their specific needs and preferences.
Multiple-Airlines Itinerary
A multiple-airline itinerary is a travel plan that involves using different airlines for a single journey. Similar to a multi-city ticket, this type of itinerary allows passengers to book flights with different airlines for different legs of their trip. For example, a passenger may book a flight from London to Paris with British Airways and then book a separate flight from Paris back to London with Air France. This type of itinerary provides travellers with flexibility and options when it comes to choosing different airlines for different parts of their trip.
If you exceed your visa’s allowed stay in Germany, you could face serious repercussions such as fines, deportation, entry bans, or even arrest. It’s important to follow your visa’s rules to avoid these consequences.
Read also:
- How to get a Hotel Booking for Visa Application
- Apply for a Visa from the UK
- Apply for a Visa from the US
- Apply for a Visa from Canada
- How To Get Compensation When Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled