Is a Flight Reservation Safer for a Visa Application, and How Does It Support Visa Approval?

Yes, submitting a flight reservation (temporary booking) rather than a fully paid ticket is generally considered safer when applying for a visa. Most embassies and consulates specifically recommend avoiding the purchase of a non-refundable ticket before visa approval, as there is always a risk of rejection, delays, or changes to travel dates. A flight reservation demonstrates your travel intent (entry and exit dates, destination, and airline route) without exposing you to the financial risk of losing money on a ticket purchase. Travel agencies, airlines, or visa service providers (such as Schengen Visa Itinerary ) often issue these reservations for visa purposes. How Does a Flight Reservation Support Visa Approval? 1. Proof of Intent to Return Visa officers want assurance that you intend to leave the country once your stay ends. A round-trip flight reservation demonstrates your intention to return to your home country (...