somtum16

I am not sure a paid for ticket is needed reading the following from this webpage. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Visit%20Tourist

To me a booking means a reservation, I suggest you contact them to confirm what is needed.

Accommodation and travel details

Details of your accommodation and travel details, for example:

• hotel/guesthouse/hostel booking confirmation (may be by email)
• travel booking confirmation (may be by e-mail),
• travel agent confirmation (may be by e-mail),
• accommodation details with a supporting letter from the occupant confirming that you are able to stay with them.

A planned itinerary, if you have one, which may include:

• bookings or tickets for any excursions or trips,
• email conversations about any excursions or trips,
• travel agent bookings.

Yes, a reservation is what I am looking for. It is not easy to make a flight reservation without paying for it - most airlines require payment up front. And for those that don't, they will usually only offer reservations on refundable tickets, which are a lot more expensive. I've heard travel agents in Thailand can make 'dummy' flight reservations for people who need to show them for visa purposes.

???

She wants a visa to Ireland and needs some return flight booking to show.

To the OP: is it definitely req. to have a booking before having the visa?

Seems for UK it is not required?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713448-return-flight-reservation-required-as-supporting-document-for-uk-visit-visa-application/

Thanks for your reply. yeah for Ireland it's outlined by immigration that proof of return flights is needed. I've read on the net that you can walk into a travel agent in Thailand and they will make a booking for 300THB, but I don't know how true it is.

I'm going to attempt the rather daunting task of applying for a visa to Ireland for my Thai girlfriend soon. Instead of being lazy and forking out a crapload of money to pay a company to apply for the visa, I'll be doing it all myself. The first problem I'm seeing is this stipulation that the immigration department in my country wants to see a flight itinerary. I'm asking if it is possible to go into a travel agent in Chiang Mai and ask them to make a reservation for my girlfriend between Bangkok and Dublin? I don't particularly want to fork out loads of money on a refundable flight. Ideally, I'll make a dummy reservation with a travel agent and then buy a cheap return ticket with the same dates closer to the time of her visit. Is the feasible?