Many visa applications require applicants to show proof of travel plans. However, purchasing fully paid flight tickets before receiving visa approval can pose unnecessary financial risk—especially if the application is delayed or denied. Fortunately, most embassies and consulates do not require travelers to buy and pay in full for their tickets in advance. Instead, they accept confirmed flight reservations or ticket holds, making it both a safer and widely accepted alternative for demonstrating intended travel.
A ticket hold booking is not merely an itinerary; it's an actual reservation confirmed with the airline, complete with a valid PNR (Passenger Name Record). Unlike a basic itinerary printout, a ticket hold guarantees your seat and fare temporarily, demonstrating to visa authorities that your travel intentions are genuine.
Most embassies and consulates require applicants to present proof of travel when applying for a visa, accepting round-trip flight reservations — also known as held tickets — as a valid and safer alternative. It is important to understand that visa documentation requirements vary by country, the applicant’s nationality, and even by consulate. Always verify with the local diplomatic mission before applying.
✅ Germany: The German Missions in the U.S. explicitly require “Confirmed flight (roundtrip)/travel reservations with the name of passenger” as part of the Schengen visa application checklist.
Source: German Embassy Visa Checklist (PDF)
✅ France: According to France-Visas, travelers must have “your return ticket or the financial means to acquire one at the envisaged return date” ready upon entry, indicating that ticket bookings or financial proof for tickets is required.
Source: France-Visas – Arrival in France
✅ Spain: The Spanish consulate clearly states the requirement for “Flight reservation with booking reference number” as part of the Schengen visa application process. It also specifies the need for confirmed bookings for any travel within the Schengen area.
Source: Consulate of Spain in Washington D.C.
✅ Italy: The Italian Consulate General in New York requests “Complete round trip flight reservations from the U.S./Bermuda to the Schengen Area” and, if visiting multiple countries, bookings to and from each.
Source: Italian Consulate in New York
✅ Belgium: The Belgian Embassy in Singapore mandates an “Original Return Flight reservation/booking to Belgium with confirmed travel dates” as part of its checklist for tourist visas.
Source: Embassy of Belgium in Singapore (PDF)
Always ensure that the documents you submit match the latest guidelines from the specific consulate handling your application. Using held ticket services with confirmed PNRs is a widely accepted way to meet these requirements without bearing the cost of full, non-refundable flight tickets upfront.
Trajetto securely reserves real tickets directly from airlines, creating a verified PNR. This reservation is available instantly and provides a professionally formatted, airline-approved PDF. The document includes flight numbers, dates, times, and airline confirmation codes, ensuring a robust proof of travel for your visa application.
For a small fee, your booking is held securely for a defined period that varies across different airlines, giving you peace of mind that your travel plans are well-documented and compliant with visa application guidelines, with instant confirmation and email delivery of your booking. You also have an option to purchase your held tickets with us before hold is expired.
Consider a traveler from Singapore planning a trip to Belgium and nearby countries in the Schengen Area. Following the Belgian Embassy’s requirement for a confirmed round-trip flight reservation, they use a ticket hold service to obtain a valid booking with a Passenger Name Record (PNR), without paying for the full ticket upfront. This document is submitted with their visa application. Once the visa is approved, the traveler then proceeds to confirm and purchase the held tickets using the same booking — ensuring both compliance and financial security throughout the process.
Trajetto ticket hold service minimizes your financial risks and maximizes your visa application's compliance. With official recognition by major consulates, our documents ensure you're providing exactly what visa centers demand. Simple, clear, and fully verifiable.