Dummy tickets! Sounds silly? Well, it can actually be a smart move for savvy travelers.
We all know that showing flight tickets is mandatory for some countries when applying for a visa (especially Schengen countries, where a flight reservation is required). And Dummy tickets are great to reserve a flight without paying for a reservation.
More importantly……..
It is a cost-effective (& hassle-free) method when applying for a Schengen visa (and other visas when needed). If you’re a first-time traveler and not sure how to book a dummy flight ticket for a visa application, this comprehensive guide is for you.
What is a Dummy Ticket for a Visa? Is a Dummy Ticket Valid?
In simple words:
A dummy ticket is a flight ticket that is not a paid return ticket, but a primary confirmation of your booking. This ticket has not completed payment in full. It could be a flight reservation, including flight itinerary and passenger details.
Here is the drill…….
This is one of the required documents that a consulate or embassy asks of the visa applicant. Based on this document, an applicant receives a visa. There is a high chance that your application will be rejected if you fail to submit the important document.
You might wonder how a dummy or primary reservation ticket helps me get a visa?
Well, consulates understand that booking a flight ticket before getting a visa approved is damn risky. If your visa gets rejected after booking a valid flight ticket, the majority % of your flight ticket cost will be wasted.
So, what’s the main point?
In case your visa is rejected, the cost of the lost ticket will be minimal. Remember, dummy tickets are valid anywhere between 2 days to 14 days.
How to Book a Dummy Ticket for a Visa?
There are 2 methods to get a dummy ticket.
- Book it from a reliable travel agent
- Book it online
Reserve a Flight without Paying online
Yes, you can reserve a flight without paying. Follow the steps below for your convenience.
- Step 01: Visit the official website of your preferred airline
- Step 02: Select a flight option to the country you will visit. Then add the trip type
- Step 03: Put the departure and arrival times on your expected date
- Step 04: Next, choose the travel class and number of passengers in the specified section
- Step 05: Now, click on the search button. Select the correct flight and the details of the passenger
- Step 06: Then, you will be redirected to the payment screen. Here you will find the “book now, pay later” section. Tap on it.
- Step 07: Reserve the flight without paying or with a little payment
- Step 08: You will receive a confirmation email from the airline immediately
Well, not all airlines offer the same facilities, so you need to look for all possible flights that offer the same facilities.
Book a dummy ticket from a reliable travel agent
Probably the safest and easiest way.
If you are a first-time traveler to Schengen countries, we recommend you buy dummy tickets from an authorized travel agency.
Don’t take the risk and lose valuable money. If you want, our team can also help you with this thing.
But first caution……..
Not all of the agencies are reliable.
Schengen visa processing time is 14-15 working days or longer for some consulates. So, the holding time for dummy tickets should be at least 14 days from the processing date (while it’s not mandatory, it’s always recommended).
Most travel agents hold your dummy ticket or primary reservation for only 2-3 days, which can automatically cause visa rejections in some instances (it sounds ridiculous, but it actually happens at many consulates, where visa applications are refused based on this factor). So, beware of it.
How to Book a Dummy Return Flight Ticket Faster?
Another name for the dummy return flight ticket is a dummy round-trip ticket. This flight departs from your original country to your destination country. Then return to the departure country.
Here are the steps. The process is pretty similar to reserving a flight.
- Step 01: Go to an authorized website to book an airline ticket
- Step 02: Enter the departure country, destination, and return to the departure country along with the date.
- Step 03: Choose your flight from the available options
- Step 04: Select the travel class and number of passengers in the specified section
- Step 05: Click on the search button. Select the correct flight and the details of the passenger
- Step 06: You will then be redirected to the payment screen. Here you will find the “book now, pay later” section. Tap on it. Or, if you want to pay the cost, select your preferred payment system.
- Step 07: Reserve the flight without paying or with payment.
- Step 08: You will receive a confirmation email from the airline immediately.
Reliable Websites To Buy Dummy Tickets For Schengen Visas
There are many websites where you can purchase a dummy ticket for flight reservations. Some of the websites mentioned below are what we found reliable.
- DummyTicket.com
- VerifiableTickets.com
- OnwardTicket.com
- OnwardFlightTicket.com
- DummyFlight.com
- FlyingHelpline.com
- TopOnwaordTicket.com
- DummyTickets.net
- TRVLInfo.com
Are Dummy Tickets Legal for a Schengen Visa?
Yes, dummy tickets are legal for a Schengen visa.
It is an airline itinerary or ticket reservation similar to an original air ticket. This ticket consists of…
- A valid booking reference number
- Or booking code
- Or PNR.
The consulate or embassy requests a dummy ticket during an ongoing visa application. The ticket ensures flight reservation or ticket details.
In a nutshell, dummy tickets are completely valid. And safe to submit with your visa application.
If you have already booked the ticket, the embassy can check the booking using the PNR code on the airline’s website. Dummy tickets help you get a visa application. Also, it saves money because you won’t have to present the actual ticket before visa approval.
Here is a list of some Schengen countries receiving dummy tickets.
- Netherlands: A confirmed ticket is not mandatory, meaning dummy tickets are acceptable
- Estonia: Mentioned that visa applicants can buy a valid ticket only after issuing the visa
- France: Officially requested a travel itinerary. So, dummy tickets are not a problem
- Finland: They require a travel plan. Dummy tickets are applicable
- Luxembourg: Either tickets or reservations is workable for this Schengen country
Not just these; according to the Schengen visa code, all other Schengen member countries accept dummy tickets.
Good to know:
You may be required to provide some actual flight confirmation reservations for some Schengen countries.
Dummy ticket is really a great option for Visa purposes.