Apply for Schengen Visa from UAE: How And Where To Apply?

Where and how to apply for a Schengen visa as a UAE resident

The UAE has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world thanks to its rich cultural heritage and variety of hospitality. The wealthy and electrified population of the UAE, which is home to seven magnificent emirates, as well as its tolerance for different religions and cultures, make its citizens proud. An excursion to Europe should always be on the bucket list of UAE citizens who are exceptional travellers. Tripfinder has a comprehensive guide on Schengen visas for UAE nationals if you’re thinking about travelling to Europe from the UAE. The necessary paperwork, thorough instructions, and where and how to apply in the UAE are all covered in this article. Check and Apply for Schengen Visa from UAE.

What is a Schengen visa?

Travellers can enter any country that is a part of the Schengen Area with a Schengen visa and stay there for up to 90 days for either business or pleasure. The most frequently obtained visa for Europe is the Schengen visa. It entitles the holder to unrestricted entry and exit from any of the Schengen member countries. Within the Schengen Area, there are no border controls. You must apply for a national visa of that European nation rather than a Schengen visa if you intend to study, work, or reside in one of the Schengen countries for a period of time longer than 90 days.. The Schengen Area currently has 27 member nations. These nations are all on the continent of Europe. The 27 Schengen nations are as follows:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

Digital Schengen Visa

The physical Schengen visa application and sticker process has been replaced with a new digital strategy that has been approved by the European Parliament. This means that travellers with passports from countries outside of the Schengen region, including those with UAE passports, can soon wave goodbye to long lines and challenging paperwork by applying for and receiving their digital Schengen visa online. This indicates that people will be able to apply for their visas online without setting up appointments or delivering their passports in person. A digital version of the visa sticker will be offered in place of the customary one, which not only simplifies the application process but also strengthens security measures for the Schengen area. Through this platform, visa applicants can enter all required data, upload digital copies of their travel and supporting documents, and finish the payment process for their visa fees. They will also be notified of changes to the status of their visa application.

Prices and charges for a Schengen visa

Every applicant must pay a non-refundable mandatory visa fee in order to apply for a Schengen visa. The current Schengen visa price cap for UAE citizens is as follows:

Adults: 340 AED
Children between the ages of 6 and 12: 170 AED
Children under the age of 6: free
Holders of diplomatic and service passports: free
Family members of EU/EEA nationals: free

Schengen visa for UAE residents

Who can apply?

In order to enter or remain in any Schengen country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, UAE citizens do not require a visa. However, anyone residing in any of the seven UAE emirates who does not have a UAE passport and does not fall under one of the exceptions to the Schengen visa requirement will need to apply for a visa. UAE nationals can only apply for a Schengen visa if they fall under one of the following categories:

UAE nationals who have previously been denied entry without a visa to the Schengen area.
Those foreigners with permanent or temporary residency permits in the UAE who,

reside in a nation with a visa waiver agreement with Schengen but have been denied visa-free travel to Europe.
Citizens of any nation are not currently exempt from the need for a visa to enter a Schengen country.

Please refer to the list of nationalities that require a Schengen visa to determine whether you need one.

Documents and requirements

When requesting a short-term Schengen visa in the United Arab Emirates, the following papers are needed:

Application form: It should be completely filled out with accurate and truthful information. Print the form twice, then at the bottom, sign both copies.
Valid passport: It must be no more than ten years old and valid for at least three more months after the applicant’s intended departure date from the Schengen Area.
Photo: Two photos that meet the criteria established by the Schengen states and were taken within the last three months. Learn more about the photo specifications here.
Travel flight itinerary: A record demonstrating that you have a confirmed reservation for a flight from the United Arab Emirates to the Schengen Zone and back on the precise dates you intend to enter and exit this region.
Travel insurance for Europe: a certificate attesting to your possession of travel health insurance for the entire Schengen region, with a minimum level of protection of 30,000 euros in the event of any medical emergency, including illnesses, accidents, and even repatriation in the event of death.
Proof of accommodation: a statement outlining your place of residence during your entire Schengen visit. This could be a confirmation of a hotel reservation, a lease, or an invitation from the host of the home where you will be staying.
Proof of financial capability: proof that you have the resources to support yourself during your stay in the Schengen area. There are several possibilities for this:

A bank statement demonstrating that you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the trip. The statement cannot be more than three months old.
A letter of sponsorship from a third party confirming they will be paying for your travel to the Schengen region. This letter must be accompanied by the sponsor’s most recent three-month bank statement in order to be considered valid.
A sponsorship letter and your bank account statement together.

In addition to these, you might need more depending on your employment situation or whether you’re a minor.

ETIAS

UAE nationals will require an ETIAS visa beginning in November 2023 in order to enter any Schengen nation. Visitors from nations with visa-free travel to the Schengen Area are tracked by the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), an entirely electronic system. For brief stays as well as for work or play, the ETIAS will be valid. Applying for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) follows a simple process. To obtain ETIAS travel authorisation, all you have to do is complete a brief online application. Additionally, applicants must submit their personal data, including their name, birthdate, address, details regarding their travel plans, and answers to security questions. Within a few minutes, permission would be granted. This means that each applicant won’t need to spend more than 10 to 20 minutes on the online application and registration process.

Schengen visa application process

When applying for a short-stay Schengen visa in the United Arab Emirates, there are only a few easy steps to remember:

Ensure you know the embassy or consulate where you must apply. You must be aware of which country should grant you a visa in order to submit your application in the proper location (if you plan to visit more than one Schengen state). Then you need to find out which department in that nation deals with visa applications or if visa submission has been contracted out to a third party.
Make an appointment at the consulate, embassy, or visa centre.
Show up for the visa interview: Bring all of the necessary paperwork, in the specific order listed, with you.
Hold off on a response: Your visa will be processed by the embassy during this time and will pass through the Visa Information System and Schengen Information System, two EU security systems.

Your application can be processed for up to 15 days. After that time, you will hear back regarding your case. Only the embassies handle the processing of all applications.

Where to apply?

The majority of the respective country’s embassies have contracted with VFS Global to submit visa applications for UAE citizens. This implies that you must submit your visa application at either the Dubai or Abu Dhabi Visa Application Center. It should be noted that only those with residency cards issued by the Emirate of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi may submit applications to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Abu Dhabi. People who live in the Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, or Fujairah, on the other hand, must submit their applications to the Dubai Visa Centre. Other embassies manage their own visa applications as well. Before choosing which EU embassy or consulate to apply to for a visa to Europe in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, please follow these guidelines because it is important to submit your application at the proper location. Your application for a Schengen visa will be rejected if it is submitted to the incorrect authority.

Austria

The Austrian embassy’s visa application is handled by VFS.

Abu Dhabi: Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, 30023 Google location.
Dubai: Joint Visa Application Centre, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2, Google location.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5606
Email: info.austriauae@vfshelpline.com

Belgium

The Belgian embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

Abu Dhabi: Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street, Adjacent to Khalidyah Mall, 30023 Google location
Dubai: Joint Visa Application Centre, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2 Google location

Phone: 971-4-2055716
email: info.belgiumuae@vfshelpline.com

Czech Republic

The Czech embassy’s application for visas is handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00 971(0) 4 2055 715
Email: info.czechuae@vfshelpline.com

Denmark

The Danish embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5718
Email: info.denmarkuae@vfshelpline.com

Estonia

The Estonian government has designated VFS to handle visa applications for the Finland embassy.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5907
Email: info.FinlandUEA@vfshelpline.com

Finland

The Finnish embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

The VACs are accessible from 9:00 until 17:00 on Sunday through Thursday. Every workday between the hours of 9:00 and 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5907
email: info.FinlandUEA@vfshelpline.com

France

The French embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

Phone: +971 4-2055999
Email: Info.franceuae@vfshelpline.com

Germany

The German embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 04-2055666
email: info.germanyuae@vfshelpline.com

Greece

The visa application is handled by VFS on behalf of the Hellenic Republic Embassy.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00 971(0) 4 2055770
Email: info.GreeceUAE@vfshelpline.com

Hungary

The Hungarian embassy’s visa application is handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5650
Email: info.huae@vfshelpline.com

Iceland

Iceland has appointed VFS to handle visa applications on behalf of the Danish embassy.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5718
Email: info.denmarkuae@vfshelpline.com

Latvia

The Latvian embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5910
Email: info.latviagcc@vfshelpline.com

Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein-assigned VFS is in charge of processing visa applications for the Swedish embassy.

Phone: 00971 (4) 2055888
Email: info.swissuae@vfshelpline.com

Lithuania

The Lithuanian government has designated BLS International to handle visa applications for the Spanish embassy.

Abu Dhabi: BLS International Spain Visa Application Center, 1311, Tamouh Tower; 13th Floor, Marina Square, Al Reem Island,
Dubai: BLS International Spain Visa Application Center, I Rise Tower; 16th Floor, Office # C-9, Barsha Heights (Tecom)

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 043875660, +971525098736, or 971 2 5524492.
Email: info.auh@blshelpline.com

Luxembourg

The Danish embassy’s visa application is managed by VFS, which was chosen by Luxembourg to handle visa requests.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5718
Email: info.denmarkuae@vfshelpline.com

Malta

The Maltese embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5990
Email: info.maltadubai@vfshelpline.com

Netherlands

The Dutch embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 4 205 5712
Email: info.netherlandsuae@vfshelpline.com

Norway

The Norwegian Embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5903
Email: info.norwayuae@vfshelpline.com

Poland

Schengen visa requests are directly handled by the Polish embassy in Abu Dhabi. You must complete the application form using the “e-konsulat” electronic customer service system. Any other application format won’t be considered.

Phone: +971 2 446 5200
Email: abudhabi.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl

Portugal

The Portuguese embassy’s visa application is handled by VFS.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 205 5904
Email: info.portugaluae@vfshelpline.com

Slovakia

Applications for Schengen visas are handled directly by the Slovakian embassy in Abu Dhabi. With a scheduled appointment, all visa applicants may submit their applications at the embassy. From Sunday through Thursday, the embassy is open from 9:00 to 17:00. Every workday from 10:00 to 12:30, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: +971 2 681 7705
Email: emb.abudhabi@mzv.sk

Slovenia

Slovenia has designated VFS to manage visa applications, and they do so on behalf of the German embassy.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 04-2055666
Email: info.germanyuae@vfshelpline.com

Spain

The Spanish embassy’s visa application is managed by BLS International.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 043875660, +971525098736 / 971 2 5524492
Email: info.auh@blshelpline.com

Sweden

The Swedish embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971(0) 4 2055 859
Email: info.swedenuae@vfshelpline.com

Switzerland

The Swiss embassy’s visa applications are handled by VFS.

From Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 17:00, the VACs are open. Every workday from 9:00 to 15:00, you can submit an application for a Schengen visa.

Phone: 00971 (4) 2055888
Email: info.swissuae@vfshelpline.com

Processing Time

In the UAE, the processing time for Schengen visas is currently 15 days. Travellers from the UAE, however, can soon wave goodbye to long lines and tedious paperwork as they will be able to apply for and receive their digital Schengen visa online once it becomes available.

Rejection of a Schengen visa

The mere act of applying for a visa does not ensure that you will be granted one. A visa application may be denied by a Schengen embassy for a number of common reasons. On occasion, applications are turned down as a result of errors made during the visa interview. Since the interview is a crucial component of your application, make an effort to avoid it. However, you will always have the option to challenge the decision if you are denied a Schengen visa in the UAE. The reasons for denial and instructions on how to appeal the decision, if desired, will be provided to you along with the final decision on your application. By submitting an appeal letter for the denial of your Schengen visa, you can contest this decision.