By Arjun Das
First-time applicants often worry most about the travel section of the checklist. Consulates want to see when you plan to arrive and leave, but they rarely require a fully paid ticket. A short-term reservation, sometimes called a dummy ticket for visa purposes, shows a real itinerary without locking you into a non-refundable fare.
Your flight dates should line up with your hotel bookings, travel insurance and leave letter from work. Small mismatches are one of the most common reasons officers ask for more documents.
Choose a reservation with a booking reference that can be checked. Print it, and keep a digital copy on your phone for the appointment.
Not every provider is equally fast or reliable. This roundup of the best dummy ticket for Schengen visa websites explains what to look for.