Schengen Visa and Flight Reservation

soultrain

Hi,

My girlfriend is South African and would need a visa for Netherlands. I have looked for the requirements and one of the points is that she would need a fligh/train reservation.

Where do you get a reservation from these days as all the airlines use 'pay now' policy?

Help please!

agrinnall

So what's to stop your girlfriend booking and paying for the flight, which will then give her a booking reference which can be used to apply for the visa? Obviously there is a possibility that the visa won't be granted but I would have thought the risk of that is small.

Alternatively, make a reservation on a flight/train that is fully flexible then cancel it once the visa has been issued and book a cheap flight.

Mk14:37

You might get a reservation if you go through a travel agent, but generally most people would make the booking and use that confirmation.

alanrowell

If you are worried about her being refused a visa then buy a fully refundable ticket on a CC, then when she does (not) get the visa cash it in and (not) buy a new ticket at a more reasonable price.

zzzLazyDaisy

My ex was South African. When we travelled within Europe we just booked the flights/holiday in plenty of time, and then he would toddle off to London to get his visa. It was a right royal pain because we could never just find a cheap flight and jump on a plane, but he was never refused a visa.

However I guess it depends on your GF's status as a visitor/resident of UK.

blacksta

The probability of being refused a schengen visa is very low once you have booked your flights, accomodation and show that you enough funds for the trip unless you are a terrorist or may be on watch list.