Dummy Tickets and Hotel Bookings for Visas: What Is Allowed
By Ganesh ·
You rarely need to buy flights before a visa. Which reservations consulates accept, how to show hotels, and the mistakes that get people refused.
For most tourist visas you don't need to buy flights before the visa is approved. Schengen consulates, for example, ask for a flight reservation or itinerary, not a paid ticket. What's allowed is a genuine, verifiable reservation: a held booking with a real PNR, a refundable ticket, or a hotel booking with free cancellation. What isn't allowed is a fake or edited document. Consulates check, and a forged booking can lead to a refusal and a record that follows you into future applications.
What different visas ask for
| Visa | Flights | Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen (tourist) | Reservation or itinerary; don't buy non-refundable tickets before approval | Bookings for the whole stay, or an invitation from a host |
| UK visitor | Not required; the UK advises against booking before a decision | Not required, a plan helps |
| US B1/B2 | Not required | Not required |
| Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other e-visas | Often asked for as an itinerary | First hotel at least |
Always follow the checklist on the official embassy or VFS/BLS page for the country you apply to. Requirements differ even between Schengen countries.
Legitimate ways to show flights
A held reservation. Some airlines and travel agents can hold a seat for a few days or weeks with a real PNR. Travel agents in India often do this for a fee of a few hundred rupees.
A refundable or changeable fare. Costs more upfront, but you get most of it back if the visa is refused or dates change. Read the refund rules and fees first.
A reservation service. Several services issue a real airline reservation for visa purposes, usually for ₹500–1,500. Make sure the PNR can be checked on the airline's website, and that it's valid on the day of your appointment. Many such reservations expire after a few days or weeks.
Legitimate ways to show hotels
Book rooms with free cancellation on a hotel or booking site, and keep the confirmation emails. Cancel the ones you don't need after the visa decision, before the free-cancellation deadline. If you're staying with family or friends, a signed invitation letter with their address and ID or residence permit replaces hotel bookings for those nights.
What gets people refused
- A PDF "ticket" made in an editing app, or a reservation whose PNR doesn't exist.
- Bookings that are cancelled before the appointment or soon after it. Some consulates re-check.
- Dates or cities in the bookings that don't match the cover letter and the form.
- Hotel bookings that overlap or leave gaps of several nights without explanation.
FAQ
Is a dummy ticket legal?
A real flight reservation that you haven't paid for in full is fine and widely used. A fake or altered ticket isn't, and using one is visa fraud.
How long should the reservation be valid?
At least until your biometrics appointment, and ideally a week or two beyond it, in case the consulate checks while processing.
Should I buy the real ticket after the visa comes?
Yes, then. Prices might go up a little while you wait, but you avoid losing money on a non-refundable fare if the visa is refused.
Photo: Bremen Airport Terminal 1 Check-In during Covid-19 Crisis by Jacek Rużyczka, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
