A flight reservation is required to apply for a visa, but you don’t need to pay for a ticket. On Close Flight you can create a free flight itinerary that consulates accept: just choose a route, dates, and download the PDF.

Choosing a route and ticket type

On Close Flight you need to choose the flight type: round trip is the usual choice for tourist visas and visits. Then specify the departure airport — for example, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila — and the arrival airport, say, Berlin. Several options are offered: these could be Tegel, Schönefeld, or Berlin.

After that, set the departure date (for example, October 6) and return date (November 25). The system will suggest several airlines: Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways International. When choosing flights, you can combine different airlines for the outbound and return legs, but it’s usually more convenient to pick one airline for both directions.

Filling in passenger details

In the second step, you need to enter personal details based on your passport. The system can be used for one passenger or you can add several if a family is traveling.

An important point: during this step, options for displaying the ticket price are offered. If you need the free option, choose “free” — you don’t need to pay for this type of ticket. The next option (“pro”) requires a small payment, but it’s not needed for a visa application.

How to fill out the form on Close Flight

Five steps to create a flight itinerary on the site

  1. 1. Choose ticket typeRound tripRecommended for tourist visas and visits
  2. 2. Specify airportsDeparture and arrivalChoose from the suggested list or enter your own
  3. 3. Set the datesDeparture and returnDates must match the application
  4. 4. Choose flightsFor outbound and returnDifferent airlines are possible, but one is more convenient
  5. 5. Fill in the detailsBased on passportChoose the “free” option and send it to your email

Downloading and sending the document

After filling in all the details, you can choose to send a copy to your email. The system will generate a draft ticket that you can download as a PDF or check in an email.

There are two ways to get the document: download the PDF directly on the site using the “download” button, or find the email with the attachment. If you forgot to download it before closing the site, the document will still arrive by email, and you can print it from there.

What the consulate sees in the ticket

The finished document shows: the route (Manila—Berlin), departure date (October 6), return date (November 25), flight number, service class (for example, economy), and confirmation status. All of this is visible on both parts of the ticket — outbound and return.

For the consul, the most important thing is clearly stated departure and return dates. They must match the dates in the visa application. Consulates do not require a paid ticket; most embassy guidelines state that a visa is issued regardless of whether a real ticket exists. The consul simply needs a flight reservation in a format that allows checking the applicant’s plans.

Why embassies accept dummy tickets

Official consulate guidelines state that applicants are not required to provide a paid ticket, since visa approval doesn’t guarantee a flight will happen anyway. The embassy simply requires confirmation of the route and dates — a flight itinerary that clearly shows the arrival and departure dates.

A ticket created through Close Flight looks like a real ticket: it shows the airline, flight number, service classes, and statuses. Such documents are recognized as a legitimate alternative to a paid ticket when submitting an application.