Here are some airlines that mention refund upon visa refusal:
Looking at the fare rules for a sample of airlines, I see the following text in a sample Air China fare regarding refunds:
WAIVED FOR TICKETS ISSUED AND ORIGINATING IN CHINA IN CASE OF
REJECTION OF VISA.
And a sample Qantas fare:
REFUSAL OF VISA – FULL REFUND PERMITTED IN CASE OF REFUSAL OF A TRAVEL
DOCUMENT TO THE PASSENGER/ ACCOMPANYING PASSENGER AS EVIDENCED BY
WRITTEN ADVICE FROM THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY.
Alternatively, you may consider investigating insurance that covers costs if a visa is denied. This may be due to a specific insurance rule, or by obtaining coverage with cancellation for any reason.
As mentioned earlier and used by other posters elsewhere, you may consider just buying fully refundable tickets, obtaining the visa, refunding them and then buying cheaper tickets as necessary.
Edit: I investigated a sample date between BOM and JNB and here are the results from looking at the fare rules on a sample ticket. Note, not every ticket on every airline would have the same rules, so this would need to be investigated in your particular case:
Edit to explain how to reproduce above:
In the Fare rules & restrictions screen, search the text for the
word “visa” For QR:
FULL REFUND PERMITTED BEFORE DEPARTURE IN CASE OF
REJECTION OF VISA. WAIVERS HAS TO BE PROCESSED
THROUGH QR OFFICES ONLY AND EMBASSY STATEMENT HAS
TO BE PRESENTED AS SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
There are some airlines that offer refunds based on visa status; however you may be able to book a fare that is fully refundable.
Generally, the cheapest fares have the most restrictions. The most you can do if you end up purchasing such a fare and the visa is rejected is to pay to have the ticket transferred into someone else’s name. There is usually a cost for this.
Are you sure the embassy requires a fully paid ticket? I only know of the Malaysian Embassy that requires a fully paid ticket. Schengen visas require a reservation only, so does the US.
The South African Embassy in Kuwait requires:
Copy of a valid return air flight ticket or proof of reservation
thereof (for all legs of travel)
You’ll notice that the same is mentioned in your quote:
Proof of a Valid Return or onward ticket or purchase of ticket.
Your best friend here is a travel agent, they can provide you a confirmed reservation which is all that is required.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘
5 Mar, 2024
4 Mar, 2024