Let the visa type guide the route
For a short visit with a known departure date, the application may ask for entry and exit travel details. A return reservation can make that plan easy to follow. Other applicants have legitimate one-way or onward itineraries, such as longer stays or travel continuing to a third country. The right document depends on the visa category and official checklist.
Show the actual journey
If you plan to exit through a different city, do not force your trip into a same-city return. An open-jaw or multi-city itinerary may better reflect your plans. Check the traveller names, airport codes, connection dates and destination-country entry rules. Describe any unusual segment in your cover letter if useful.
A return hold is not a paid return ticket
A real flight reservation can show a return journey but cannot be used for travel. It does not include an issued e-ticket number unless a ticket has actually been purchased and issued. Always check whether your embassy asks for a reservation, an itinerary or something else, and do not buy or submit documents based on a generic promise of visa acceptance.
Requirements vary by destination and visa category. Check the relevant embassy or consulate’s current checklist. A reservation is not a paid ticket, is not valid for travel, and does not guarantee a visa.
