does my girlfriend need to provide a flight ticket when she applies for a visiting visa,,, i did read on ukba site not to purchase ticket till visa granted

Hello, yes its good advice to not purchase the ticket before you get the visa; also purchasing the ticket has no extra power over the decision to grant the visa. Good luck

As you mention the UKBA, I assume you are asking about a visa for the UK.

No, as the UKBA site says, tickets should not be purchased until she knows she has the visa.

As far as the entry clearance and immigration officers are concerned, a return ticket is not evidence that a visitor will leave the UK by the required date anyway. They are well aware that if someone is attempting to enter the UK for reasons other than those sated and to remain in the UK once their visa has expired, e.g. to work illegally, then losing the cost of the return portion of a ticket is not going to worry them.

Not implying anything about your girlfriend, of course; just explaining the UKBA's reasoning.

Edit: liveforever beat me to it.

Edited March 28, 201313 yr by 7by7