I’ve been going back and forth on whether to book a flight to Canada before my visitor visa gets approved. On one hand, I’ve heard that having a confirmed ticket can show IRCC you’re serious about visiting and have concrete plans. On the other, I’ve also read that it’s risky—what if my application gets refused and I lose the money on a non-refundable ticket?

So far, I’ve only made a rough itinerary and booked a refundable hotel reservation. But I’m wondering: is it worth the risk to book a flight in advance, even if it’s refundable? Or is it better to wait until I have a decision? I’ve seen mixed advice online—some people say it helps, others say it could hurt if plans change.

I’d love to hear from others who’ve been through this. What did you do? Did you book flights early or wait? And if you did book early, did you go with refundable options?

Also, how important do you think the ticket or travel plans are compared to other parts of the application—like proof of ties to home country, financials, or a detailed travel purpose?

Would you recommend including a flight itinerary (even if not paid) as part of your application package? Or is that just adding clutter?

If you were applying now, what would you check first—flight booking, accommodation, or something else entirely?

Feel free to share your experience, even if it’s just a quick tip. What details matter most to you when preparing your visitor visa docs? Let’s get some real-world perspectives going.