Hey everyone, I’ve been going back and forth on this one and wanted to get some real-life perspectives. I’m planning a trip to Canada and wondering if buying a return ticket before my visa gets approved is worth it—or if I’m just risking money for no real gain.

I know IRCC says you don’t need to show a return ticket to qualify for a visitor visa, and that the focus is on proving strong ties to your home country. But I’ve seen so many people buy non-refundable tickets to “prove” they’ll leave Canada, especially at consulates where the officer might ask. The problem is, if your application gets delayed or refused, you’re out hundreds of dollars on a ticket you can’t use.

So here’s what I’m weighing:
- Is a refundable return ticket still helpful, or does it not carry much weight?
- If I do book something, should I go with a flexible itinerary (like a flight with a change fee) instead of a full non-refundable ticket?
- And how much does having a return ticket actually influence the decision compared to things like employment letters, property ownership, or family ties?

I’ve read that some consulates do ask for proof of return, but others don’t. It seems like it really depends on the location and the officer. I’m not trying to overprepare—I just don’t want to miss the mark.

What’s your take? If you were in my shoes, what would you check first when preparing your application? And what details do you think matter most to the officer—beyond just the ticket itself?

Looking forward to hearing how others have handled this.