Buying a flight ticket before your visa is approved can lead to significant financial losses. Here’s what you need to know about the risks and a safer alternative.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Understand the financial risk
Non-refundable tickets mean you lose the full amount if your visa is denied. Even refundable tickets have costly cancellation fees.
2. Consider the statistics
Visa rejection rates vary by country — some embassies reject 20-50% of applications. That’s a significant chance of losing money.
3. Use a flight itinerary instead
For free, get a confirmed booking with a PNR code that satisfies embassy requirements without the financial risk.
4. Buy your ticket after approval
Wait for visa approval, then purchase your ticket with confidence.
Pro Tips
- Some visa rejection rates exceed 30% — don’t gamble with expensive tickets
- Even ‘refundable’ tickets often have significant cancellation fees
- Travel insurance typically doesn’t cover visa rejection losses
- A reservation is the smart financial choice for any visa application
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of visas get rejected?
Rejection rates vary widely by country and visa type — from 5% to over 50%. Using a reservation protects you regardless of the odds.
Can I get travel insurance against visa rejection?
Some specialized policies exist, but they’re expensive and have many exclusions. A $15 reservation is a simpler solution.
What if I already bought a ticket?
Check if your ticket is refundable or changeable. For future applications, use a reservation to avoid this risk.
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