HOW TO BOOK TEMPORARY FLIGHT TICKETS FOR VISA OR ONWARD TRAVEL

So, you want to apply for a visa that requires flight booking. Why would I even book a flight and make travel plans when I don’t have a visa yet, right?

It seems absurd yet you will find that many consulates and embassies require a flight booking when applying for a visa. For some, they will also want to see details of your accommodation. The consular may even go over your day-to-day plans during your stay in that country.

Depending on the country, the consulate may also refer to the flight itinerary as-

•        Confirmed booking

•        Booked flight itinerary

•        Flight confirmation

•        Proof of onward travel

 

WHY DO CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES NEED A FLIGHT ITINERARY?

1. Every visa has a certain interval of stay for foreigners visiting the country. The embassy or consulate wants to make sure you’re not overstaying your visit in the country. The flight itinerary assures the consulate on this.

2. It helps the consulate decide on the length of the stay. Many countries have a fixed duration of visas that they grant. E.g., If you want to visit a country for 7 days and the standard tourist visa for that country is 14 days, the consulate will grant a 14-day tourist visa to you as per protocol. However, for some countries, the visa is granted for your exact travel dates of arrival and departure, particularly when you apply to Schengen visa for the first time.

3. For Schengen visa, the consulate will want to make sure that you are applying to the right consulate. Schengen visa rules suggest that you apply to the consulate of the country in which you will be staying maximum during your visit. E.g., Let’s say, your Europe trip includes 4 days in Spain, 12 days in Germany and 7 days in Hungary, then you will have to apply with the German consulate. If you apply at the Spain embassy/consulate, they will most likely not accept your application.

For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/