Not sure which UAE visa route applies?
Use our free UAE Visa Eligibility & Document Checker before you apply. It gives general route guidance and a practical document checklist without asking for passport numbers.
Last reviewed: 20 September 2026 | Source review required
Submitting a dummy or fake flight ticket with a UAE visa application is document fraud under UAE immigration law , it results in immediate rejection and can lead to a permanent ban on all future UAE applications.
How UAE Immigration Detects Dummy Tickets
UAE Immigration uses an automated verification system that cross-references submitted booking references directly with airline reservation systems (GDS systems like Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo). The check is instantaneous:
- Booking reference (PNR) is entered into the airline's reservation system
- If the PNR shows "Option" or "Hold" status rather than "Ticketed" , it is flagged as unconfirmed
- If the PNR does not exist , it is flagged as fake
- Either outcome results in automatic rejection and a flag against your UID
Consequences of Submitting a Dummy Ticket
| Offence | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First-time dummy ticket detected | Visa application rejected. Flag added to UID. |
| Second attempt with fake documents | Rejection + possible 1-year ban on future applications |
| Repeat offences or deliberate fraud | Permanent immigration ban. Possible criminal referral. |
| Fake hotel booking also submitted | Compounds the fraud , increases severity of consequence |
The Right Alternative: Refundable Flight Booking
- Book a fully refundable return ticket on any major airline (Air India, Emirates, IndiGo, Etihad etc.)
- This gives you a genuine, confirmed PNR that passes UAE immigration verification
- Submit the confirmed booking with your visa application
- Once your visa is approved, cancel or reschedule the refundable ticket for your actual travel dates
- Refundable fares typically cost 15–30% more than non-refundable , this is the legitimate cost of flexibility
When you submit a visa application through evisa-uae.org, your flight booking is reviewed before the application goes to UAE Immigration. If the PNR shows as unconfirmed or the booking appears inconsistent with your travel dates, we flag it and ask you to resubmit with a confirmed ticket. We will not pass a dummy ticket through to Immigration on your behalf. The rejection and the ban that follows affect you, not us. A refundable confirmed ticket costs more upfront and protects your immigration record.
Before you submit an application
Once you understand the route discussed above, verify the current rule with the relevant official authority and use the checker to confirm your document readiness.
Apply for Your UAE Visa Today
Expert-reviewed. 24–72 hour processing. 150+ nationalities. 50,000+ travellers served since 2014.
Start My Application →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. UAE Immigration verifies flight bookings directly with airlines. A dummy, fake, or unconfirmed ticket is identified during this verification and results in immediate visa rejection. Repeated submissions with fake documents can result in a permanent immigration ban.
A dummy ticket is a fake or temporarily held flight reservation that looks like a confirmed booking but has no actual payment behind it. Some applicants use them to show a 'return flight' without paying for it. This practice violates UAE immigration rules and is considered document fraud.
Use a fully confirmed and paid return or onward flight booking. If you are not yet sure of exact travel dates, choose a fully refundable flight ticket from a reputable airline, use it for your application, and reschedule or cancel after your visa is approved.
Yes. Hotel bookings are also verified in some cases. Submitting a fake or unpaid hotel reservation carries the same risks as a dummy ticket , rejection and potential ban. Always submit actual confirmed, paid bookings.