Booking flights for visa
Detailed instructions
When submitting documents to an embassy or visa center, proof of travel is often required — an itinerary receipt or a flight reservation for visa purposes. In most cases, a fully paid ticket is not mandatory.
The printed airline ticket or confirmed reservation must include:
- agency name with its IATA number and contact details
- flight booking code (PNR);
- passenger’s first and last name in Latin characters, as shown in the passport;
- passport details
- airline name;
- flight number;
- flight information: date and time;
- international airport code (IATA);
- optional — ticket price can be indicated upon request.
Example of an itinerary receipt for embassy submission
Below is an example of a flight itinerary for the route Warsaw — Toronto — Warsaw, which is used when submitting documents to an embassy or visa center.
The document includes passenger details, booking number (PNR), airline, flight numbers, departure and arrival airports, flight dates and times, travel class, as well as confirmed reservation status.
Such an itinerary confirms the planned travel route and is a standard document for visa applications.
It is usually issued in English and is accepted by most consulates without the need to purchase the airline ticket.
DELTA TRAVEL TIME TO TRAVEL BOOKING REF: EXAMPLE 43, PEREMOGY AV., APT.2 DATE: XX MONTH 2026 UA-03057 KYIV UKRAINE SURNAME/NAME MR TELEPHONE: +38(044)3002589 EMAIL: AVIA@IFLY.UA FLIGHT AF 1147 - AIR FRANCE MON 02 NOVEMBER 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- DEPARTURE: WARSAW, PL (FREDERIC CHOPIN) 02 NOV 13:05 ARRIVAL: PARIS, FR (CHARLES DE GAULLE), TERMINAL 2F - 02 NOV 15:40 AEROGARE 2 TERMINAL F FLIGHT BOOKING REF: AF/EXAMPLE LAST CHECK IN TIME: 12:25 RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (Y) DURATION: 02:35 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEAL: SNACK NON STOP WARSAW TO PARIS EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A220-300 FLIGHT AF 358 - AIR FRANCE MON 02 NOVEMBER 2026 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ----------------- DEPARTURE: PARIS, FR (CHARLES DE GAULLE), TERMINAL 2E - 02 NOV 18:15 AEROGARE 2 TERMINAL E ARRIVAL: TORONTO, ON (LESTER B. PEARSON INTL), TERMINAL 3 02 NOV 20:35 FLIGHT BOOKING REF: AF/EXAMPLE LAST CHECK IN TIME: 17:15 RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (Y) DURATION: 08:20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEAL: SNACK/MEAL NON STOP PARIS TO TORONTO, ON EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A350-900 FLIGHT AF 359 - AIR FRANCE MON 16 NOVEMBER 2026 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ----------------- DEPARTURE: TORONTO, ON (LESTER B. PEARSON INTL), TERMINAL 3 16 NOV 22:45 ARRIVAL: PARIS, FR (CHARLES DE GAULLE), TERMINAL 2E - 17 NOV 12:10 AEROGARE 2 TERMINAL E FLIGHT BOOKING REF: AF/EXAMPLE LAST CHECK IN TIME: 21:45 RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (Y) DURATION: 07:25 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEAL: MEAL/BREAKFAST NON STOP TORONTO, ON TO PARIS EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A350-900 FLIGHT AF 1046 - AIR FRANCE TUE 17 NOVEMBER 2026 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ----------------- DEPARTURE: PARIS, FR (CHARLES DE GAULLE), TERMINAL 2F - 17 NOV 14:05 AEROGARE 2 TERMINAL F ARRIVAL: WARSAW, PL (FREDERIC CHOPIN) 17 NOV 16:20 FLIGHT BOOKING REF: AF/EXAMPLE LAST CHECK IN TIME: 13:25 RESERVATION CONFIRMED, ECONOMY (Y) DURATION: 02:15 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEAL: SNACK NON STOP PARIS TO WARSAW EQUIPMENT: AIRBUS A220-300 FLIGHT(S) CALCULATED AVERAGE CO2 EMISSIONS IS 919.46 KG/PERSON SOURCE: ICAO CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR https://www.icao.int/ environmental-protection/ CarbonOffset/Pages/default. aspx
To provide an itinerary for a visa application, two main options are usually used:
- 1. Purchasing refundable airline tickets — tickets can be canceled after receiving the visa according to the airline’s fare rules.
- 2. Issuing an official reservation through an agency — you receive a confirmed itinerary with a verifiable PNR code without the need for full payment of the flight, which reduces financial risks when applying for a visa.
Countries that require a visa for Ukrainian citizens: full list and entry requirements
Before planning a trip, it is important to check in advance which countries require a visa for Ukrainian citizens, as entry rules are regularly updated. Depending on the destination, a visa may require prior application, an electronic visa (e-Visa), or a visa on arrival.
Countries requiring a visa before travel
Below is a list of popular destinations where Ukrainian citizens must obtain a visa in advance.
North America
- USA
- Canada
Europe
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
Asia
- Japan
- China
- India
- Philippines
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Turkmenistan
Middle East
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Syria
- Lebanon
Africa
Most African countries require a visa for Ukrainian citizens. Popular destinations include:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Sudan
Oceania
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Vanuatu
- Kiribati
- Papua New Guinea
Visa on arrival for Ukrainian citizens
In some countries, a visa on arrival is available and can be issued after arrival at the airport:
- Egypt
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Cape Verde
Electronic visa (e-Visa)
An electronic visa allows travelers to obtain entry authorization without visiting a consulate. Processing usually takes several days.
- UAE
- Cyprus
- Mexico
- Cambodia
- Senegal
Special entry conditions for Ukrainian citizens
- Some Latin American countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Chile) require a visa.
- Travel to Suriname requires a separate authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
New EU entry rules: ETIAS from 2026
Starting from 2026, the European Union introduces the ETIAS system — an electronic travel authorization required even under a visa-free regime. The application will be completed online before travel.
When applying for a visa to any country, applicants are usually required to provide a flight itinerary. This document подтверждает planned travel dates, flight route, and intention to leave the country after the trip.
Most embassies accept a flight reservation without mandatory ticket purchase, but the itinerary must contain correct passenger data, flight numbers, and travel dates matching the stated trip period.
Visa rules may change, therefore it is always recommended to check current entry requirements before purchasing airline tickets.
To provide an itinerary for a visa application, two main options are commonly used: first — purchasing refundable airline tickets, which can be canceled after receiving the visa according to airline fare rules; second — issuing an official flight reservation through our agency, where you receive a confirmed itinerary with a verifiable PNR code without full payment for the flight. The second option is especially convenient for embassy submission as it helps avoid financial risks in case of visa refusal.
Purchasing refundable airline tickets
Refundable airline tickets are offered by almost all airlines. They usually cost more than non-refundable tickets. For example, for a flight from Chisinau to Paris operated by SkyUP, a passenger will pay about €65 for a non-refundable fare and approximately €200 for a refundable (Flex) fare.
The buyer can receive a refund if travel plans change. Each airline sets its own refund policy: conditions usually depend on the travel class and the timing of cancellation. In case of a refund, a service fee for ticket processing and refund handling is always applied.
Ticket refund conditions of some airlines
| Airline | Fare types (example) | Brief description of refund conditions | When refund is possible / timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOT Polish Airlines |
Refundable fares (Flex/Business), Economy (non-refundable / Basic)
|
• 24-hour risk-free cancellation: full refund if canceled within 24 hours of purchase (according to conditions stated on the website).
• Refunds are processed via contact center/form; non-refundable fares may provide credit or be subject to penalties according to fare rules. |
• 24 hours for free cancellation (details on lot.com).
• Processing time: usually up to 7 days for card payments (depends on payment method). |
| Turkish Airlines |
Flex / Refundable fares; Promo / Economy (non-refundable depending on class)
|
• 24-hour free refund for online purchases if the flight departure is ≥7 days from the date of purchase.
• Other refunds depend on fare rules: some classes may have penalties or be non-refundable. |
• Free refund within the first 24 hours if conditions are met (flight ≥7 days away).
• Additional restrictions may apply depending on route and fare class — see fare rules. |
| Qatar Airways |
Classic / Convenience / Comfort / Business — conditions depend on fare type
|
• Refunds and penalties depend on fare class; refundable fares allow refunds, non-refundable fares do not (sometimes only taxes and fees are refundable).
• Change/cancellation rules vary with different fees depending on Privilege Club membership level. |
• Some fares include a “risk-free / 24-hour” rule.
• Exact conditions are listed in fare conditions. |
| flydubai |
Standard / Flex / Promotional fares (policy depends on fare type)
|
• In many cases, refunds are issued in the form of a flydubai voucher.
• Partially or fully non-refundable fares do not allow monetary refunds. |
• Voucher is issued after reservation cancellation.
• Voucher validity depends on purchase conditions. |
| Lufthansa |
Economy / Economy Flex / Business / Business Flex
|
• Flex fares usually allow refunds or flexible changes.
• Non-refundable fares — refunds are not allowed or may be issued as credit. |
• Online refunds available.
• Refund processing: ~7 business days for cards, up to 20 days for other payment methods. |
How to reserve airline tickets without payment
Find an agency that provides flight reservation services for visa applications without full payment.
To obtain a flight itinerary for visa submission without purchasing a ticket, it is important to find a reliable agency that provides flight reservation services for visas without full payment. Such companies issue an official reservation with a valid PNR code that can be verified in the airline system or a global booking system. This allows you to provide the embassy with confirmation of the route, travel dates, and flights without financial risks associated with purchasing non-refundable tickets. Before оформления, it is recommended to make sure that the agency has experience working with visa documents and issues an itinerary in a format suitable for submission to a consulate.
If the reservation expires before the visa is issued, the agency will provide a new booking free of charge upon request — usually within one hour. The applicant must independently submit the updated reservation to the visa center or consulate.
The visa application review process can take up to 14 days, therefore tickets are usually reserved shortly before submitting documents. Applicants are advised to choose an agency in advance so that booking issuance takes no more than 30 minutes.
How to check that a flight reservation is valid
After paying for the reservation service, the applicant receives an itinerary receipt by email. You can verify the validity of the booking on the airline’s website or in a GDS — a global distribution system for airline reservations.
To check the reservation, you need to enter the passenger’s surname in Latin characters and the booking code.
Booking verification services:
Frequently asked questions
What is a booking code (PNR) and why is it needed by the embassy
PNR (Passenger Name Record) is a unique five- or six-character code consisting of letters and numbers assigned to each booking.
Using the PNR code you can:
- check the flight reservation on the airline website
- confirm the existence of a booking for the embassy
- view itinerary details
- use the code during flight check-in
The PNR code is the main proof of a real reservation for visa purposes.
For consulates, it is important that the receipt contains:
- flight number
- operating airline
- route
- travel dates
- PNR code
Such a flight reservation for visa application is accepted without issues.
What does an itinerary receipt for document submission look like
The itinerary receipt must contain:
- agency issuing the reservation
- passenger first and last name
- PNR code
- airline name
- passport details
- date of birth
- booking creation date
- departure city (FROM)
- arrival city (TO)
- flight number
- booking class
- departure date and time
- baggage allowance
If all these details are present — it is a valid itinerary receipt for visa purposes.
How to verify the authenticity of a flight reservation
- Go to the official airline website
- Open the “Manage booking / My booking” section
- Enter the PNR code and surname
If the system finds the reservation — it is active and genuine.
Can an airline reservation be extended
No. Airlines do not provide the option to extend reservations. A new ticket reservation for visa purposes must be created.
When is the best time to make a reservation for a visa
It is recommended to make the reservation in advance, but as close as possible to the document submission date or immediately before visiting the visa center.
Do I need to cancel the reservation myself
No. If the reservation is not paid, it will be automatically canceled after the validity period expires.
Can multiple passengers be added to one reservation
Yes. Up to 6 passengers can be included in one booking.
Can I reserve a ticket and pay later
Yes. After placing the order, you need to add the "Visa Reservation" service and receive a payment link to pay only the service fee, without paying the full ticket price. For visa purposes, services are used that create a temporary but official unpaid flight reservation.
Is it necessary to issue a ticket for an infant
Yes. An infant ticket can only be issued together with an adult in the same booking.
How to make a correct flight reservation for a visa
- create a real reservation on iFly.ua
- pay only the reservation service fee
- make the reservation as close as possible to the embassy submission date
- choose a validity period from 7 to 14 days
- use an itinerary receipt with full details
Such online flight reservation for visa application meets the requirements of most consulates and serves as reliable proof of itinerary, which positively influences the visa application review process.
How long does it take to receive the itinerary receipt after booking
In most cases:
- the reservation is created after payment
- the itinerary receipt is sent by email
Sometimes confirmation may take more than one hour.
How long is a flight reservation valid for a visa
- 1 day
- 3–5 days
- 6–14 days
- 20–28 days
Maximum validity period — up to 28 days.