“Have you already booked your flight?”
Applicants may hear this during appointments at VFS Global or at a Portuguese consulate.
With appointment delays and uncertain visa processing times, applicants understandably hesitate to commit to a travel date.
The important distinction is between purchasing a flight ticket and providing a reservation or proposed itinerary.
Why You May Be Asked About Flights
A question about flights may simply help establish your intended travel date or clarify your relocation plans.
The question alone does not mean you must purchase a ticket immediately. However, you should check whether your application checklist requires a reservation, itinerary, or other evidence of travel arrangements.
A Paid Ticket Is Different From a Reservation
A paid ticket commits you financially to a particular journey. A reservation or itinerary may document your proposed travel arrangements without requiring the same financial commitment.
Official VFS guidance for Portugal in Brazil states that VFS and the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs advise against purchasing tickets before the visa is granted. It also notes that additional documents may be requested during assessment.
This supports a cautious approach to buying flights, while still complying with any travel-document requirements applicable to your application.
What Do the Rules Say?
The general documentation rules for Portuguese national visas include a return transport ticket requirement, but expressly exempt residence visa applications from that particular requirement.
This should not be interpreted as a universal exemption from providing any travel information. Requirements can differ between residence visas, temporary-stay visas, and short-stay Schengen visas.
Always consult the checklist for your specific visa category and the consular post handling your application.
Our Advice to Clients
Where a purchased ticket is not required, we generally advise clients to avoid committing to a non-refundable flight before approval.
If asked about flights, you can explain:
“I intend to travel once my visa has been approved. As the processing timeline is uncertain, I have not purchased a ticket yet. My proposed travel date is [date], subject to approval.”
If a reservation or itinerary is required, provide it in the accepted format. Make sure your documents accurately reflect your arrangements.
Our Experience in Practice
In the cases handled by our team to date, clients have obtained their visas without purchasing flights in advance.
That experience is reassuring, but each applicant should still follow the requirements applicable to their own case. Previous approvals do not guarantee an identical outcome or document request.
What to Do at Your Appointment
If asked whether you have booked a flight:
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Answer clearly and truthfully;
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Explain your intended travel timing;
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Distinguish between a purchased ticket and any reservation you have submitted; and
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Ask for clarification if additional travel documentation is requested.
If a request is unclear, confirm exactly what is needed and whether a reservation is sufficient before purchasing a ticket.
Final Thoughts
Preparing a visa application should not require unnecessary financial commitments.
For residence visa applicants, waiting until approval before buying a non-refundable flight can be a sensible approach, provided the application meets the relevant documentary requirements.
Before your appointment, verify the latest checklist with VFS Global or the Portuguese consulate responsible for your application. Requirements and local procedures can change.
At Visas.pt, we help applicants prepare their documents and coordinate their travel plans around the visa process.