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I've applied for a student short stay visa for France (on an Indian passport) and the local consulate required the following for the application : Copy of personal return flights reservation with confirmed dates.

I didn't want to book tickets by paying before applying since I applied around 10 working days before my travel and there is every chance the visa may not be processed in time. So what I did was to go to Yatra.com, an Indian website which allows one to hold a flight reservation for 24 hours for free. There I booked tickets (Qatar Airways) and placed a hold without paying. I got a PNR and using it, I printed a ticket from Qatar's site and gave it as my flight reservation proof for the application. But the catch is since I didn't pay in 24 hours, the hold expired and if someone now searches with the PNR on Qatar's site, there will be no such booking. Is this a problem? Will the consulate actually check this? I don't think I'm expected to book flights when the visa approval is uncertain and hence don't see why this should be a problem. But will it be?

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  • How did it work out?
    – JonathanReez ♦
    Commented May 25, 2016 at 13:55
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    It didn't, the consulate required fresh tickets. Fortunately, the lab I'm visiting was kind enough to book the tickets for me on request. I got the visa a week after that, just hours before my flight.
    – user173185
    Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 15:36
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    so the consulate realized the ticket is no longer valid and asked for a new one? Could you post your experience as an answer to the question - it would be of great help to future travelers.
    – JonathanReez ♦
    Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 16:22

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Source: comment of the OP after interaction with the consulate.

An (expired) hold on a ticket is not enough, the consulate does require a good ticket.

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    It also depends on embassy, evrn if it is Schengen. Italian in Doha says just bring a schedule of flights and proof that you can afford it. German says fake/just booking can get you banned..
    – DavChana
    Commented Oct 9, 2016 at 20:36

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