- PNR (Passenger Name Record)
- A unique 6-character alphanumeric code assigned by an airline's reservation system to a confirmed booking. It contains passenger details, flight information, and booking status. Airlines, travel agencies and, sometimes, consular officers use it to look a booking up.
- GDS (Global Distribution System)
- A computerized network that connects travel agencies and booking platforms to airline reservation systems. Major GDS providers include Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport. Many airlines also sell through direct APIs (for example under the IATA NDC standard) rather than only through a GDS.
- Flight Reservation
- An airline booking that holds a seat without the full ticket being paid. It has a PNR that can usually be looked up on the airline's website while the hold is active. Many visa checklists, including the Schengen list in Annex II of Regulation (EC) 810/2009, accept a reservation instead of a paid ticket; requirements vary by consulate.
- Flight Itinerary
- A document showing planned travel details including departure/arrival airports, dates, times, flight numbers, and PNR code. For visa applications, consulates usually expect it to match the dates on the application form.
- E-Ticket
- An electronic airline ticket that has been fully purchased and paid for. Unlike a reservation, an e-ticket represents a completed financial transaction and includes a ticket number in addition to the PNR code.
- Hold Reservation
- A temporary airline booking where a seat is reserved for a limited period (typically 24–72 hours) without requiring full payment. Airlines and travel agencies can create holds through a GDS or through airline APIs.
- Schengen Visa
- A short-stay visa allowing travel to any of the 27 European countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Under Article 14(1)(d) of the Schengen Visa Code and Annex II, point B(1), a reservation of or return or round ticket is one of the documents a consulate may ask for.
- Visa Denial / Rejection
- A decision by an embassy or consulate to refuse a visa application. Common reasons include insufficient financial proof, weak ties to home country, or inadequate travel documentation. Submitting forged documents is a ground for refusal (Visa Code, Article 32(1)(b)) and can affect later applications.
- Booking Confirmation
- An official document from an airline confirming a passenger's reservation. It typically includes the PNR code, flight details, passenger name, and booking status (Confirmed, Pending, or Waitlisted).
- Travel Agency Protocols
- The rules and systems travel agencies use to book with airlines on behalf of travelers, for example through a GDS, airline APIs or IATA accreditation. They let agencies create holds, issue tickets and manage bookings.
- Embassy Verification
- A check a consular officer may make on a flight reservation, for example by entering the PNR and last name on the airline's website to see that the booking exists. Practice varies by consulate, and many do not check every booking.
- Proof of Onward Travel
- Documentation showing that a traveler plans to leave a destination country. This can include a return flight reservation, an onward flight to another country, or other travel arrangements.