Traveling to the target country needs you to apply for a visa. Thus, the application process requires you to provide proof of travel arrangements such as a flight ticket.
However, purchasing a full-price ticket before your visa approval, especially if you are broke can be a little risky. This is because you may face visa refusals or rejections that can result in financial losses.
Luckily, there are several ways through which you can book your flight without paying the full amount up front. So, make sure to walk through this guide to learn about the available methods and why this document is required by the embassies.
Reasons for Requiring a Flight Reservation
Embassies and consulates usually ask for a flight itinerary to verify your travel plans. Moreover, it also helps them to ensure that you do not overstay your visa. For short-term visas, it is generally advised to book a round-trip flight itinerary or reservation. This will show your intention to return to your home country. Besides, it is one of the most important requirements of visa applications.
Another reason for reserving a flight when applying for a visa application is that it helps the immigration officer analyze the validity of your visa. For example, if you are flying from India to Denmark for a 10-day trip, your visa will be issued for those 10 days.
Furthermore, the document also assists them in verifying the information whether you are applying for a visa at the right embassy or consulate especially when you are traveling to multiple countries.
Flight Reservations Vs. Confirmed Flight Tickets
Though the functions of a flight reservation and a confirmed flight ticket are the same, they are slightly different in terms of:
| Flight reservation | Confirmed flight ticket |
| A flight reservation allows you to hold your seat on a plane for a temporary period. | Contrary to a flight reservation, a confirmed flight ticket is fully paid and issued. |
| Moreover, it shows information such as your name, flight number, departure and arrival date and time, airport terminals, and 6-digit PNR. | Besides, it carries the same piece of information, however, it differs in one domain, i.e., a confirmed flight ticket contains a 13-digit ticket number. |
| In addition, it is not a paid ticket but you spend a tiny amount to serve it as proof of your travel plans. | The embassies usually asked for flight reservations because of the financial risk involved in purchasing tickets before visa approval. |
Effective Methods to Reserve a Flight Without Paying
Suppose, you need a flight but you are broke. This section will discuss how to reserve a flight without paying. In addition, the following are some of the most effective methods to secure a flight without depositing the full price.
Online flight reservation services or travel agencies
Platforms such as RFV Travels will help you provide flight reservations for visas at a very nominal fee. Moreover, they generate verifiable itineraries with valid PNR that can be cross-checked on the airline websites.
On the other hand, travel agencies or agents do the same. They can hold your flight reservations for up to one week without any payment. But, you need to pay a small service fee, but rest assured that you will get a verifiable reservation for your visa application.
Use an airline
Furthermore, you can use an airline to hold your flight seat directly for 24-72 hours without payment. In addition, depending on the chosen airline, you may also get to reserve your flight for a period of 7 days at a very small fee.
Book refundable tickets
Thirdly, you have the option of purchasing fully refundable tickets. Though they are expensive, they allow you to cancel or get a full refund in case your visa application is denied. Make sure to choose the most suitable service provider as some airlines may also charge a cancellation fee.
Utilize 24-hour cancellation services
Lastly, several airlines and booking platforms also allow free cancellations within 24 hours of booking. In case, you are applying for an e-visa, you can avail this opportunity. For this purpose, you can book a ticket, use the confirmation number for your visa application, and then cancel it within the specific period.
Tips for Submitting a Visa Application Successfully
Other than a flight, you also need several other documents to be submitted when applying for a visa. For example, this includes a valid passport, hotel booking, financial resources, etc. to show that you have genuine intentions of traveling to the target destination.
Therefore, the following practices will help you submit a visa application successfully.
- Make sure that you start the visa application process in advance to avoid any last-minute issues related to flight reservations. Moreover, it will give the embassy ample time to review the documents and request additional papers, if necessary.
- Furthermore, you need to review all the information on your reservation to know that it is according to the visa application form. For instance, this may include your name, travel dates, and destination country.
- In addition, always rely on trusted platforms such as reservationforvisa.com to avoid scams. Moreover, a reliable service provider will help you provide reservations that are verifiable and valid if cross-checked by the respective embassy or consulate.
- Complex itineraries may force the embassies to verify the details given on the submitted documents. Therefore, you need to ensure that your PNR should remain active and accessible during the visa processing time.
Final Words
Your journey to the target country has been made easier because of the option of reserving a flight without paying the entire price. By using any of the methods listed above, you can fulfill the requirements of the embassy without any financial trouble. This includes, such as online services, refundable tickets, or hold-on options.
But, ensure that your reservation is always valid and matches your travel plans to avoid any problems. Have an economical trip!
