Hotel reservation for a visa application

What is usually required

Consulates and visa centres, including those handling Schengen short-stay visas, often ask for proof of accommodation covering the dates of the trip. Depending on the country and your situation, this may be:

• a hotel or other accommodation reservation in your name;
• an invitation letter or sponsorship form from a host, sometimes with the host's proof of address;
• a rental agreement, or an organised tour booking.

Checklists commonly ask that the reservation shows the applicant's name, the address of the accommodation and the check-in and check-out dates, and that these dates match the rest of the application. Some consulates accept a reservation that has not been paid yet; others may ask for more. Read the checklist of the consulate or visa centre handling your application, as it is the authority on what they accept.

How a ValidFlight reservation helps

We book a real hotel reservation in your name on a free-cancellation rate. You receive a confirmation with a booking reference and a PDF voucher by e-mail, showing the hotel, the city, your dates and the guest names. The price is per reservation, regardless of the number of nights, and is shown on the hotel order page.

Before the hotel's free-cancellation deadline, we cancel the reservation. This avoids any charge from the hotel and means you do not pay for a stay while your visa is still undecided.

The limits you should know about:

• Because the reservation is cancelled before the deadline, anyone checking it with the hotel after that point will see it as cancelled.
• Free-cancellation deadlines are set by the hotel and can be close to the check-in date or well before it. The time the reservation stays active depends on that deadline.
• We cannot tell you whether a particular consulate will accept it. You remain responsible for the documents in your application.

Timing tips

• Order the hotel reservation shortly before you prepare your application documents, so the confirmation reflects your final travel dates.
• Use the same dates as your flight reservation, travel insurance and application form. Mismatched dates are a common reason for follow-up questions.
• If you also need a flight itinerary, remember that unpaid airline reservations are held only for about 24 to 72 hours. The 7-day and 14-day flight plans renew the flight reservation automatically with a new PNR each time.
• Once your visa is approved, book and pay for the accommodation you actually intend to use.

What it is not

This is not a paid stay and not a room held for your trip. We cancel it before the free-cancellation deadline, so you cannot check in with it and should not rely on it for accommodation. It does not guarantee a visa. If you arrive at the hotel expecting a room on the basis of this reservation, there will be no booking.

Is the hotel reservation real?

Yes. It is booked with a hotel on a free-cancellation rate and comes with a booking reference. It is then cancelled by us before the free-cancellation deadline.

Can I stay at the hotel with this reservation?

No. The reservation is cancelled before the free-cancellation deadline, so there will be no room for you. Book and pay for your real accommodation separately.

Will the consulate accept it as proof of accommodation?

Many consulates ask for a hotel reservation as proof of accommodation, but requirements differ. Check the checklist of the consulate or visa centre handling your application.

What happens if the consulate contacts the hotel?

Before the free-cancellation deadline, the hotel will show an active reservation. After we cancel it, the hotel will show it as cancelled.

Does the price depend on the number of nights?

No. The price is per reservation, regardless of the number of nights. The current price is shown on the hotel order page.

Get a hotel reservation

Enter your destination city, dates and guest names, and receive the confirmation and PDF voucher by e-mail.

Order a hotel reservation

Need a flight itinerary too? Order a flight reservation.