Dummy Flight Ticket (Onward Ticket) — What It Is & Why You Need One
Why do airports and countries require proof that you'll leave, when does this actually affect you, and how do you get a ticket like this for free — without buying a real flight you'll never use.
What exactly is a dummy flight ticket?
A dummy flight ticket (also called an Onward Ticket) is a temporary flight reservation with a real, verifiable confirmation number (PNR) that looks exactly like a normal flight ticket — but hasn't been paid for in full and isn't meant for an actual flight. It serves one purpose only: proving that you have a plan to leave the country you're entering.
Why do they require an exit ticket at all?
Many countries and immigration authorities require travelers to prove they intend to leave within their permitted stay (for example, a tourist visa). This applies even before you board a flight — some airlines refuse to fly a passenger to a destination that requires proof of onward travel without seeing that proof in advance, to avoid the risk of the destination country sending the passenger back to them.
When will you actually need one?
- 1At check-in — when flying to a destination on a "one-way" entry, with no return ticket defined.
- 2At border control on arrival — the immigration officer may ask you to prove you intend to leave on time.
- 3In a visa application — many countries require "Proof of Onward Travel" as part of the application process, even before the trip has started.
Common destinations where this comes up in practice: Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, the United States, and any country that requires an exit ticket as a condition of entry.
How is it different from a regular flight ticket?
A dummy flight ticket includes all the details shown on a real ticket — flight number, date, time, and a confirmation number (PNR) you can check directly on the airline's website. The difference is that the reservation is usually valid for a short period (for example, 24–48 hours) and hasn't been paid for in full, so it's meant only to be shown — not to actually be flown.
Where do you get one — for free?
Departo is a completely free tool for generating a dummy flight ticket in minutes, at no cost — instead of paying for a full flight ticket just to show it at border control.
Create your free ticket now →Frequently asked questions
⚠ Please read before you use this
Departo generates a dummy / fake flight ticket for display purposes only — it is not a real, bookable flight and will not get you on a plane. Whether a document like this is accepted by any given airline, border officer, or visa office is entirely outside our control and is never guaranteed. Using this document — including deciding where, when, and how to present it — is entirely your own responsibility. Departo does not guarantee any outcome and accepts no liability for how this document is used or for any consequences of using it.