Understanding the Two Options
When preparing your visa application, you have two choices for your flight documentation: a dummy ticket (flight itinerary) or a real airline ticket (confirmed, paid booking). Both serve the same purpose — showing the embassy your travel plan — but they differ significantly in cost, risk, and practicality.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Cost
- Dummy Ticket: Typically 200-500 BDT — a fraction of an actual ticket price
- Real Ticket: Thousands to lakhs of BDT depending on the destination and airline
Financial Risk
- Dummy Ticket: Minimal risk — if your visa is rejected, you only lose the small itinerary fee
- Real Ticket: High risk — if your visa is rejected, you may lose the entire ticket cost (especially non-refundable tickets)
What the Document Contains
- Both contain: Passenger name, flight number, airline, departure/arrival airports, dates, times, and PNR number
- Real ticket additionally: Ticket number (13-digit), confirmed seat assignment, baggage allowance
Embassy Acceptance
- Dummy Ticket: Accepted by virtually all embassies as "flight reservation" or "travel itinerary"
- Real Ticket: Also accepted, but not required. Embassies often advise against purchasing before approval
When to Use a Dummy Ticket
Use a dummy ticket when:
- You're applying for a visa and don't want to risk losing money on tickets
- You need to show proof of onward travel at immigration
- You want to complete your visa application quickly without waiting for ticket confirmation
- You're on a budget and can't afford to lock up money in airline tickets
When to Buy a Real Ticket
Buy a real ticket when:
- Your visa has already been approved
- You're confident about your travel dates
- You find a great deal that might expire before your visa decision
- The specific embassy explicitly requires a "confirmed ticket" (very rare)
The Smart Approach
The recommended approach for most visa applicants is:
- Get a dummy ticket for your visa application — search routes here
- Wait for visa approval
- Buy your real ticket once you have your visa
This way, you protect your money while still providing the embassy with exactly what they need. Learn more about what a dummy ticket is or check how to get one.