A dummy ticket, also called an onward ticket, is a real PNR booked for visa or border-check purposes without paying for the flight. Morocco sits at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, with airports such as Casablanca and Marrakech handling plenty of first-time visitors. Here is a calm four-step way to prepare your onward proof before you fly.

Step 1: Read the official entry rules first

Start with your own government's travel advice for Morocco. The UK's foreign travel advice for Morocco has a dedicated entry requirements page, and other governments publish equivalents. Entry rules depend on your passport, and they change, so a rule you read on a forum last year may be out of date.

I won't quote a specific onward-travel rule for Morocco here, because the safest answer is that it depends on your nationality and your route. What you can rely on is this: border officers in many countries may ask how you plan to leave, and airlines may ask before you board.

Step 2: Decide what your proof will be

Most travellers show a flight out of Morocco. Some leave by sea or arrive by land, which changes the conversation. Airlines are the more predictable audience. They check documents before departure, and they don't want to carry a passenger who is turned away on arrival.

That is why check-in agents often ask for onward proof even when a border officer might not. If you're flying in on a one-way ticket, expect the question. The check usually comes down to one question: can you show how you'll leave? Our guide to leaving a country by land explains how to handle trips that don't end with a flight.

Step 3: Make the details match

A dummy ticket works when the record is real and consistent. Check these before you travel:

  1. Your name matches your passport exactly.
  2. The departure city is in Morocco, and the date falls within a sensible stay.
  3. The airline and flight appear when you look up the booking reference on the airline's own site.

Keep the stay realistic. If you tell an officer you're visiting for ten days, an onward flight in four months raises questions that a short, plausible trip doesn't. This is general guidance, not advice on your individual case.

What the question usually sounds like

At the desk or the border, the wording is rarely formal. You might hear "Where are you going next?" or "Do you have a ticket out?" Answer plainly, in one sentence, and have the document ready. Rambling invites follow-up questions, while a short, consistent answer rarely does.

Officers tend to compare three things: your stated purpose, your length of stay and your proof of leaving. If all three tell the same story, the check is quick. If they don't, expect more questions. Keep your accommodation details handy too, since they back up the dates on your onward booking.

Step 4: Carry it where you can reach it

Download the confirmation, save a copy offline, and write the booking reference somewhere that doesn't need a signal. Airport Wi-Fi fails at the worst moments. If you're asked at the desk, show the reference and the passport together.

Airline staff can also ask for the booking reference rather than the PDF, so know it by heart if you can. Also remember that a hold has a lifespan. If your trip is far off, ask your provider about the deadline and book closer to departure where you can. If something goes wrong at the desk, read about what happens after denied boarding for missing onward proof.

If your plans change

Plans move, and onward bookings should move with them. If you decide to stay longer, check whether your permitted stay allows it before you extend anything. If you decide to leave early, a booking you no longer need can simply lapse, but only if it was never paid for. A real fare is a different matter, and its change and refund terms are set by the airline, so read them before you buy.

Never alter a booking by editing the PDF. Airlines read the record behind the document, and a changed file that doesn't match the reservation will cause far more trouble than an honest replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Will every airline ask for an onward ticket to Morocco?

No. Practice differs by airline, route and passport. Some ask every one-way passenger, while others check only when the destination's rules call for it.

Is a dummy ticket the same as a real flight?

It is a real reservation, but it isn't a paid fare. That's why it suits document checks and why it shouldn't be treated as a plan to travel.

Can I rely on one booking for the whole trip?

Only while it is alive. Check the record again before you head to the airport.

Take a moment to double-check the details, then keep the booking reference somewhere safe. When you're ready, book an onward ticket for your Morocco trip.