The Maldives is the kind of trip that often gets questioned at the airline counter before immigration ever sees you. One small mismatch can turn a smooth holiday into a stressful conversation: your return or onward proof shows seven days, your hotel confirmation covers five nights, your funds look thin beside a resort booking, or your exit route points somewhere you never mention elsewhere.
This guide helps you build a Maldives tourist visa proof package that is boring in the best possible way. The dummy ticket, hotel confirmation and funds evidence should all agree before you fly. If your island stay, resort transfer, guesthouse booking or onward route is still moving, prepare the travel proof after the main timeline is stable enough to defend.
Key facts before preparing Maldives travel proof:
- Maldives tourist visa is generally granted on arrival, but entry requirements still apply.
- Your exit proof should match the hotel or guesthouse stay length.
- Accommodation should cover every night, including split stays and late arrivals.
- Funds proof should make sense beside the type of stay you are showing.
- The Traveller Declaration must be submitted through IMUGA within the official time window.
- A clean dummy ticket works best when it supports the whole proof package, not just one route.
Need Maldives exit proof without buying final airfare too early? Create a clean dummy ticket with DummyFlights after your hotel dates, stay length and onward plan are clear.
Create Your Dummy TicketIn This Guide
The Maldives Proof Package That Actually Gets Checked: Return, Stay and Funds
Most Maldives trips look straightforward. Fly in, stay on an island, fly out. That simplicity is exactly why mismatches stand out quickly. If a traveler shows one stay length in the hotel booking and another in the travel proof, airline staff may pause. If a resort booking looks expensive and the funds proof looks thin, the file may invite questions. If the traveler is flying one-way, staff may ask where the exit proof is.
Why Maldives checks feel easy until documents disagree
The problem is rarely that the traveler has no documents. The problem is that the documents show different versions of the same trip. A seven-day exit plan with a five-night hotel stay creates a gap. A late-night arrival with no first-night accommodation creates a gap. A booking for two guests with travel proof for one traveler creates a gap.
Common mismatch patterns include:
- exit proof departs after the hotel stay ends;
- hotel confirmation starts one day after arrival;
- funds proof does not fit the visible accommodation style;
- return or onward route departs from a city or country not explained elsewhere;
- group bookings show different travelers across flight and hotel proof;
- split-stay documents leave one night unaccounted for;
- the Traveller Declaration is delayed or forgotten.
When these mismatches appear, staff often stop treating the documents as proof and start treating them as questions. The strongest Maldives file prevents those questions before they start.
The three checkpoints where proof gets evaluated
Your Maldives proof package may be reviewed at three practical checkpoints.
- Airline check-in: staff may check whether the traveler has exit proof, accommodation and basic entry readiness.
- Transit desk: staff may review onward-route logic if the traveler is connecting through another country.
- Arrival immigration: officers may ask whether the traveler satisfies entry requirements and has a believable stay plan.
Airline check-in is especially important because problems can stop the trip before departure. If your proof package is clean at the counter, the rest of the trip usually feels easier. If the counter conversation begins with contradictions, you are already under pressure.
The golden rule: one timeline across all proof
The best Maldives documents share one timeline. Arrival date, first night, island transfer, split stay, final night and departure date should fit together. If your dummy ticket says you leave on Monday, your hotel should not end on Saturday unless the missing nights are clearly explained. If your hotel starts on Tuesday but your flight lands Monday night, the first night needs an answer.
| Proof item | What it must support | Fast check |
|---|---|---|
| Dummy ticket | Exit from Maldives or onward journey | Does the date match the stay? |
| Hotel confirmation | Every night in Maldives | Are there any gaps? |
| Funds proof | Trip cost and stay type | Does the balance fit the plan? |
| Traveller Declaration | Official pre-arrival submission | Was it completed in time? |
| Onward destination documents | Ability to enter the next destination | Is the next country realistic? |
What return proof means in practice
Return proof does not only mean “a flight home.” It means a credible plan to leave Maldives within the allowed stay. For many tourists, that is a return route to the origin country. For one-way travelers, backpackers or regional travelers, it may be onward proof to another destination. The key is that the route should be believable and the next destination should be reachable.
If the onward destination requires a visa or special entry condition, the traveler should be ready for that too. Maldives guidance specifically points to onward-destination requirements such as visa and passport validity. A dummy ticket that points to a country the traveler cannot enter creates a new weakness.
Hotel confirmation and funds are not separate from exit proof
For Maldives, hotel confirmation and funds proof are closely tied to the exit plan. A traveler staying at a premium resort for ten nights needs a different funds story than a traveler staying at a simple guesthouse for three nights. A split-stay plan needs documents for every island or property. A pay-later booking may still be useful, but the traveler should understand whether the booking looks confirmed enough for the situation.
The cleaner approach is to build the stay first, then create exit proof around the stay. Do not create a random dummy ticket and then force the hotel dates to match it.
What makes Maldives proof feel complete
A complete Maldives proof package is not necessarily large. It is complete because it leaves no obvious gap. The traveler has an arrival date, a place to stay every night, enough money for the visible plan, an exit route, and the official declaration handled in time. If each part is small but clear, the file works better than a folder full of screenshots that do not connect.
The strongest version usually includes:
- passport and traveler identity matching every document;
- dummy ticket or return/onward proof with a readable route;
- hotel or guesthouse confirmation covering the stay;
- funds proof that fits the travel style;
- IMUGA Traveller Declaration confirmation;
- next-destination readiness if leaving Maldives for another country;
- offline copies available at the airport.
Why “easy visa on arrival” still needs preparation
Visa-on-arrival does not mean “no checks.” It means the traveler is not usually applying for a tourist visa before travel. The airline and immigration still need to see that the traveler is admissible. That is why return or onward proof, accommodation, funds and declaration timing still matter.
The danger is psychological. Because Maldives sounds easy, travelers sometimes prepare casually. They leave the exit route vague, keep a partial hotel booking, or assume a bank app screenshot will be enough if questioned. A clean proof package prevents that casual preparation from becoming a travel-day problem.
Return or Onward Proof Without Regret: Choosing the Safest Exit Evidence
Exit proof is the anchor document for many Maldives travelers. It answers the airline counter’s simplest question: how does this traveler leave Maldives? The answer should be fast, readable and consistent with the rest of the packet.
Decide first: are you leaving Maldives the way you arrived?
If you are flying in and out on a normal round-trip pattern, the exit story is simple. The return date should match the hotel stay and the allowed visit period. If you are entering Maldives and then flying onward to another country, the proof needs slightly more care. The next destination should make sense for the traveler’s wider route.
- Round trip: cleanest for short holidays and resort stays.
- Onward route: useful for regional travelers when the next destination is credible.
- One-way inbound: needs stronger exit proof and clearer funds/accommodation support.
- Separate-ticket route: requires extra attention because airlines may ask for both segments.
- Flexible traveler: should still carry a clear exit date and route.
Best exit-proof formats ranked by low fragility
| Format | Strength | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|
| Return proof matching hotel dates | Very easy to understand | Must match all stay documents |
| Onward proof to a logical next country | Strong for regional travel | Next destination entry rules matter |
| Dummy ticket with clear route and dates | Useful before final airfare is ready | Should not look edited or expired |
| Separate outbound booking | Can work if documents are clear | Airline staff may ask for both tickets |
| Vague “will decide later” plan | Weak | Creates counter questions |
How to make exit proof look like a real trip
A strong Maldives dummy ticket does not need a complicated route. It needs the right fields to line up. Passenger name, route, date, booking reference or PNR when available, and clean PDF formatting should be easy to scan. The exit date should sit naturally after the hotel stay, not several unexplained days later.
If your route leaves Maldives through another hub, the connection should be believable. If you travel from Malé to another country, the onward destination should be one you can enter. If you are a digital nomad or backpacker, your route should still show a practical next step rather than a random placeholder.
Airline counter questions your proof should pre-answer
At check-in, staff are usually not trying to debate your holiday. They want fast answers:
- When are you leaving Maldives?
- Where are you going after Maldives?
- Do your hotel dates cover the stay?
- Can you enter the next destination?
- Do your documents show the same traveler?
- Does the trip length look normal for your funds and accommodation?
If your proof package answers these questions without a long explanation, the counter conversation is much easier.
The adjustable-exit strategy for flexible travelers
Flexible travel does not mean unclear travel. If your final route may change, use a realistic exit window and keep every document aligned to that window. The dummy ticket should show an exit route that you can explain calmly. Do not present a route that you already know makes no sense just because it was cheap or easy to generate.
If the exit plan changes before departure, update the document and check the hotel dates again. A flexible traveler still needs a coherent file on the day of travel.
Departing from Delhi or using a short transit
Travelers departing from busy hubs such as Delhi may face practical document checks before boarding. If the Maldives trip includes a short transit, separate ticket, or onward route through another country, carry the full chain digitally and in print. The staff member should not need to piece together your trip from scattered screenshots.
If the onward route depends on a second booking, save both bookings together. If the next country has entry requirements, keep proof ready. Maldives exit proof is strongest when the next step is visible.
Same-airline, separate-ticket and low-cost route differences
A single airline itinerary is usually easier to understand because the whole journey appears in one place. Separate tickets can still work, but they create more explanation. If your inbound Maldives flight and outbound proof are on different bookings, staff may ask to see both. If your onward route uses a low-cost carrier or another booking platform, make sure the document is readable and not buried in email screenshots.
For separate-ticket travel, the airport conversation often becomes practical:
- Can the traveler show the outbound segment quickly?
- Does the outbound date match the accommodation?
- Does the next destination allow the traveler to enter?
- Is baggage or transit time realistic?
- Is the booking under the same passenger name?
If those answers are visible, separate-ticket travel is easier to defend. If not, the traveler may spend the counter conversation explaining logistics instead of showing proof.
Return proof for resort stays versus guesthouse stays
Resort stays and guesthouse stays create different document expectations. A resort booking often looks more expensive, so funds should support it. A guesthouse booking may be simpler, but the island and transfer plan should still make sense. A liveaboard or dive trip may require an extra explanation because accommodation may not look like a standard hotel.
The dummy ticket should follow the type of stay. A short resort stay usually pairs well with a clean return date. A longer guesthouse route may need more careful funds and island-stay proof. A dive or boat-based trip should make the accommodation arrangement obvious enough that staff understand where the traveler is staying.
Hotel Confirmation That Covers You: Resort, Guesthouse, Split-Stay and Gaps
Accommodation proof matters because Maldives trips are often island-based. A traveler may stay at a resort, guesthouse, liveaboard or multiple properties. The booking should explain where the traveler sleeps every night.
The Maldives stay reality
Maldives travel is not just “hotel plus beach.” Transfers, island changes and late arrivals can affect the proof package. If the traveler lands late at night, the first night should be covered. If the traveler changes islands, the split should be logical. If the traveler leaves early in the morning, the final night should still make sense.
What a clean hotel confirmation should communicate
- traveler or lead guest name;
- property name and registration-style identity where available;
- check-in and check-out dates;
- number of guests;
- room or stay type;
- payment or booking status where shown;
- property contact details;
- transfer or island notes when relevant.
A hotel booking does not need to be dramatic. It needs to remove the “where are you staying?” question.
Split-stay done right
Split stays are common in Maldives. A traveler may stay in Malé for one night, move to a guesthouse island, then finish at a resort. That can be fine. The weakness appears when the documents leave gaps.
| Split-stay issue | Why it causes questions | Cleaner fix |
|---|---|---|
| Missing first night | Flight arrives before hotel starts | Add arrival-night accommodation |
| Gap between properties | No visible place to stay | Update dates or add transfer-night proof |
| Guest count mismatch | Hotel and travel proof show different people | Align lead guest and travelers |
| Exit after hotel ends | Unexplained extra days | Extend stay proof or adjust exit date |
When partial hotel coverage is risky
Partial hotel coverage is risky when the missing nights are not explained. A traveler who books the first two nights and plans to decide later may understand their own trip, but the airline counter may not. For Maldives entry, a cleaner file usually shows confirmed accommodation for the visible stay or a clear reason for any gap.
Partial coverage may be more understandable for long flexible travel, but Maldives is often treated as a destination where accommodation should be known. If your hotel proof is partial, your funds and exit proof need to be especially clear.
Deposit, pay-later or fully paid
A fully paid booking can look strong, but it is not always practical. A pay-later booking can still be useful when it is confirmed and matches the trip. A deposit booking can also make sense when the property issues a clear confirmation. The key is whether the document looks real, complete and aligned with the stay.
Do not confuse “more expensive” with “more credible.” A modest guesthouse booking that covers every night can look cleaner than a premium resort booking that conflicts with funds or dates.
Private stays and friends or family
If staying with friends or family, the file needs a different kind of clarity. The traveler may need host details, address, relationship explanation and enough funds for the stay. A private stay with no written support can become a documentation dead end, especially if the exit proof and funds are also unclear.
Transfer logic between islands
Maldives accommodation can involve speedboats, domestic flights, ferries or resort transfers. The hotel confirmation may not show every transfer detail, but the stay should still make sense. If a traveler lands late, the first-night plan should be realistic. If the traveler changes islands, there should be enough time between check-out and the next check-in.
Transfer logic matters because it affects the perceived realism of the trip. A route that arrives late at night, moves islands immediately, and leaves a hotel gap can look poorly planned. A simple explanation or better-aligned booking often fixes it.
When hotel proof and dummy ticket should be updated together
If the exit date changes, the hotel proof should be checked immediately. If the hotel stay changes, the dummy ticket should be checked immediately. These two documents are connected. Updating one without the other is how clean files become messy.
- Exit date moves later: extend accommodation or explain the extra nights.
- Exit date moves earlier: confirm hotel cancellation or shortened stay is reflected.
- Hotel changes island: check whether the route still makes sense.
- Guest count changes: align traveler names across documents.
- Pay-later booking expires: refresh the confirmation before travel.
Funds Proof That Matches Your Maldives Plan
Funds proof answers a practical question: can this traveler cover the stay and leave without drama? The answer should fit the visible trip. A three-night guesthouse stay and a ten-night resort stay do not need the same financial story.
The real goal
The goal is not to over-share every financial detail. The goal is to show that the trip is affordable and coherent. If the hotel proof looks premium and the balance looks barely enough, the file may invite extra questions. If the balance is strong but the itinerary is unclear, funds do not fix the route.
Choose evidence based on your situation
- Employee: bank statement plus salary pattern can support affordability.
- Self-employed traveler: business income or personal funds may need clearer presentation.
- Sponsored traveler: sponsor proof should explain relationship and responsibility.
- Group traveler: shared costs should be clear enough to understand.
- Resort traveler: funds should fit the visible accommodation level.
- Budget traveler: hotel proof and trip length should support the lower-cost story.
The consistency test
Ask whether your funds match the hotel choices. If the stay proof shows a premium water villa and the bank statement looks weak, the file may feel stretched. If the stay proof shows a budget guesthouse and the funds are reasonable, the story may be easier to accept. If someone else pays, the sponsor documents should say so.
Clean presentation
Do not highlight random transactions. Make the document easy to read. Use recent statements where required, keep pages complete, avoid cropped screenshots, and make sure the name on the account is understandable. If a recent large deposit is legitimate, be ready to explain it with supporting proof.
High-risk funds patterns
- large unexplained transfer right before travel;
- balance that does not fit the accommodation style;
- bank statement under a different name with no sponsor explanation;
- screenshots instead of proper statement where formal proof is expected;
- group booking where nobody clearly funds the stay;
- credit-only proof without available cash explanation.
The safest funds proof is not necessarily the biggest balance. It is the balance that makes the visible trip believable.
How to avoid over-explaining funds
Over-explaining can make a simple file feel suspicious. If the funds are straightforward, present them cleanly and stop. If there is a special reason, explain only that reason. A traveler does not need to narrate every transaction when the balance, salary pattern and trip cost already make sense.
Use a short funds note only when it improves clarity:
- recent bonus or salary deposit;
- family sponsor paying for the trip;
- group trip where one person booked the hotel;
- business or self-employment income used for travel;
- currency split across more than one account.
The funds document should support the holiday, not become a new story that distracts from it.
Budget travelers should still look organized
Budget travel is not weak by itself. A guesthouse stay, simple route and modest balance can look perfectly reasonable when the dates align. The weak version is a budget traveler with missing accommodation, vague onward plans and random screenshots. Organization matters more than luxury.
If you are traveling cheaply, make the proof package clean: known stay, known exit, realistic funds and clear onward route. Do not try to imitate a resort-style file if that is not your real trip.
The 48-Hour Assembly Workflow: Build One Consistent Packet Before You Fly
Because Maldives entry proof is often checked close to travel, the final assembly matters. Use a short workflow instead of gathering documents randomly.
Step 1: write your master trip timeline
Create one private timeline for yourself: arrival date, first night, hotel changes, transfers, final night, exit date and next destination. This timeline is not necessarily submitted. It is the control document that keeps every proof aligned.
Step 2: lock exit proof first
Your exit proof anchors the end of the trip. Once the exit date is clear, hotel nights and funds requirements become easier to check. If the exit date moves, the accommodation and funds story may need to move too.
Step 3: align hotel confirmations
Confirm every night. Do not rely on memory. If you have a split stay, list each property and date. If there is a transfer night, make sure it is covered. If you arrive after midnight, check whether your booking begins on the correct calendar date.
Step 4: make funds proof match the trip style
Review funds after the stay is visible. A budget plan, resort plan, sponsored plan and group plan each need different evidence. The funds section should feel natural, not inflated or improvised.
Step 5: produce checkpoint-friendly files
Save the key documents in one folder. Rename files clearly. Keep offline copies. Print the most important proof if manual checks are likely. A beautiful document that cannot be found at the counter is useless.
Step 6: run the five-minute cross-check
Before leaving for the airport, confirm:
- Your dummy ticket shows the right traveler name.
- Your exit date matches the hotel stay.
- Your hotel proof covers every night.
- Your funds proof fits the accommodation style.
- Your Traveller Declaration is submitted through IMUGA.
- Your next destination entry requirements are handled.
- Your PDFs open offline.
- Your route can be explained in one calm sentence.
Digital folder structure that works at the counter
Airport pressure makes messy files worse. Save the documents in a simple folder and use names that can be read quickly. The goal is to open the right file in seconds, not scroll through downloads while staff wait.
- 01-passport
- 02-dummy-ticket-or-exit-proof
- 03-hotel-confirmation
- 04-funds-proof
- 05-imuga-traveller-declaration
- 06-onward-destination-proof-if-needed
Carry screenshots only as backup. The main documents should be clean PDFs when possible. If internet access fails, offline copies matter.
Print versus digital copies
Digital copies are convenient, but printed copies can still save time when counters are busy, phones are low on battery or Wi-Fi is unreliable. At minimum, print the exit proof, hotel confirmation and IMUGA declaration if manual checks are likely. Keep funds proof available digitally unless printed statements are specifically useful for your case.
Maldives Tourist Visa Requirements: Exceptions That Can Blow Up Otherwise Fine Proof
Some Maldives cases need extra care because the route or stay pattern is less standard.
One-way inbound to Maldives
One-way inbound travel can create immediate questions unless the traveler has a clear onward plan. If the onward proof is strong and the next destination is realistic, the file may be understandable. If the traveler says “I will decide later,” the file is weaker.
Short trips with over-complex routes
A three-night Maldives trip with a complicated multi-country route can look unnecessarily confusing. If the trip is short, keep the route clean. If the route is complex because of price, loyalty miles or regional travel, carry proof that explains the chain.
Hotel gaps
Hotel gaps are one of the fastest ways to trigger questions. Maldives travel often depends on known accommodation. If the traveler cannot show where they stay for a night, the proof package feels incomplete.
Funds that do not match the story
Funds issues usually appear when the visible trip is expensive but the proof looks thin, or when a sponsor is implied but not documented. If someone else pays, show the relationship and responsibility. If the traveler pays, make the balance and trip style compatible.
Group travel and mixed bookings
Group travel can create mismatches because one person books the hotel, another holds the travel proof, and each traveler has different dates. Keep a simple group summary: who travels, who pays, where everyone stays and when everyone leaves.
Separate tickets through Mumbai or another hub
Separate-ticket travel can work, but it creates more document handling. If one ticket gets you to the transit hub and another gets you onward, carry both. If checked baggage, transit rules or entry permissions matter, do not assume staff will piece it together for you.
Mixed groups and different departure dates
Group travel becomes complicated when people arrive or leave on different days. That can be fine, but the documents should show it clearly. If two friends share a hotel but only one has exit proof, the other traveler’s file may look incomplete. If a family member leaves earlier, the hotel and funds proof should still make sense for the people who remain.
Create a simple group summary before travel:
- who arrives together;
- who shares accommodation;
- who pays or sponsors the booking;
- who leaves on which date;
- which proof belongs to each traveler.
This is especially useful when one person handles all hotel bookings or one traveler carries the main reservation.
Longer stays and extension assumptions
Do not build a file around an assumption that you will extend later unless the current documents still satisfy entry requirements. If your first stay is short but you hope to remain longer, the exit proof and accommodation should still be coherent for the trip you are presenting. An extension idea does not replace visible proof at boarding.
If you plan to request an extension or make flexible arrangements after arrival, keep the initial entry package clean first. The airline counter and arrival desk are judging the trip you can show now.
How to Make the Most of Travel-Proof Tools
A dummy ticket is useful when it reduces uncertainty, not when it creates a fake-looking shortcut. Use it as a clean planning document that supports the route you intend to take.
The moment you want zero friction
The airline counter is the moment where clarity matters most. Staff may not have time for long explanations. They want to see an exit route, dates, traveler name and accommodation that make sense. Your dummy ticket should give them a visible answer quickly.
Why clarity matters more than cleverness
Do not over-engineer the route. A clever but confusing itinerary is weaker than a simple route that matches the hotel. Maldives proof works best when the reviewer can understand the trip without guessing.
When a dummy ticket is enough and when it is not
A dummy ticket can support the exit-proof part of the file. It does not replace hotel confirmation, funds proof, onward-destination requirements or IMUGA Traveller Declaration. If those parts are weak, the dummy ticket cannot carry the whole file.
Safe minimal use pattern
- Confirm the stay window.
- Confirm hotel coverage.
- Choose a realistic return or onward route.
- Create the dummy ticket to match that route.
- Save it with hotel, funds and declaration proof.
- Carry offline and printed copies if needed.
The do-not-do-this list
- Do not use an exit date that conflicts with hotel proof.
- Do not use a next destination you cannot enter.
- Do not submit edited-looking PDFs.
- Do not leave missing hotel nights unexplained.
- Do not rely on “I will decide later” at check-in.
- Do not forget the Traveller Declaration.
Land in Malé With Your Paperwork Already Done
A Maldives trip should feel light, but the documents still need discipline. The easiest file is the one where every page says the same thing: this traveler arrives on this date, stays here, has enough support for the trip, and leaves Maldives through this route.
If your hotel dates and exit plan are stable, create a clean dummy ticket that matches them. If the plan is still shifting, settle the timeline first. The goal is not to over-document the holiday. The goal is to avoid preventable questions at the airline counter and arrival desk.
Ready to prepare Maldives travel proof? Create a clean dummy ticket with DummyFlights once your hotel stay, exit route and funds story are aligned.
Create Your Dummy TicketFrequently Asked Questions
Do tourists need pre-approval for a Maldives tourist visa?
Maldives tourist visas are generally granted on arrival, but travelers still need to meet basic entry requirements such as passport validity, travel itinerary, accommodation or funds, onward-destination readiness and Traveller Declaration submission.
Do I need return or onward proof for Maldives?
Yes. Official Maldives guidance refers to a complete travel itinerary including confirmed return journey tickets. If you travel onward instead of returning home, the onward route should be credible and the next destination requirements should be satisfied.
Can I use a dummy ticket for Maldives travel proof?
A dummy ticket can support the exit-proof part of the file when it shows a clean route, traveler name, dates and booking details that match the hotel stay and wider travel plan.
Should my hotel booking cover every night in Maldives?
Yes, the cleanest proof package covers every night. Split stays are fine when each property and date is visible, but unexplained gaps can create questions.
When should I submit the Maldives Traveller Declaration?
IMUGA states that travelers must submit the Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before flight time for arrival. Use the official IMUGA portal and avoid third-party sites that charge unnecessary fees.
What if my Maldives exit date changes?
Update the travel proof and check the hotel dates again. The exit proof, hotel confirmation and funds story should remain aligned on the day you travel.
Is a one-way ticket safe for Maldives?
A one-way inbound route needs clear onward proof. Without a credible exit plan, airline staff may ask more questions before boarding.
Does a dummy ticket promise Maldives entry?
No. A dummy ticket can support the travel-proof part of your file, but it does not promise approval, boarding or entry. Final admissibility is decided by the relevant officers.
Friendly reminder: DummyFlights provides temporary travel-proof documents for planning and application support. Requirements vary by destination, airline, route and applicant situation. A dummy ticket can support a file, but it does not promise approval, boarding or entry.