How to Apply Schengen Visa from UAE
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What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows foreign nationals to travel across 27 countries in Europe that are part of the Schengen area. Foreign travellers do not face passport and other identity checks at the borders when they travel across these countries. A Schengen visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
Prices & Charges for Schengen Visa
Schengen Visa Category
Visa Fee (AED)
Adult
340
Children between 6 to 12 years of age
170
Children younger than 6 years of age
Free
Holders of diplomatic & service passports
Free
A family member of an EU/EEA national
Free
Note: The applicable visa fee in AED is based on the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without prior notice.
Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa?
UAE citizens do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area. They can travel visa-free to any Schengen country and stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. But UAE residents who neither hold a UAE passport nor belong to any Schengen visa-exempt categories should obtain this visa.
Any person in the following categories can apply for a Schengen visa:
UAE citizens who have been refused visa-free entry to the Schengen area previously
Foreigners living in the UAE on a permanent or temporary residence who -
(i) are nationals of a country that has an agreement on a visa-free regime with Schengen but have been refused visa-free entry to Europe.
(ii) are nationals of any of the countries that do not have a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries.
Requirements for a Schengen Visa Application
The following documents are required when applying for a short-term Schengen visa in the UAE:
Application Form
It should be fully completed with the correct information. Print the form twice and sign both copies.
Valid Passport
It should not be older than ten years. Further, it should have a validity of at least three months beyond the date that you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Two Photos
Two photos taken within the last three months. It should be according to the standards set by the Schengen states.
Proof of Residence Permit in the UAE
The residence permit should be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area.
Travel Flight Itinerary
This is required to prove that you have flight ticket reservations from UAE to the Schengen Zone and back on the exact entry and exit dates.
Cover Letter
You have to explain why you want to visit Europe, the specific countries that you wish to visit, the duration of your stay, and other details.
Europe Travel Insurance
Schengen Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros is required for the entire Schengen territory. This will be useful in case of any medical emergency.
Proof of Accommodation
This could be a hotel booking, a rent agreement, or a letter of invitation by a host at whose house you plan to stay.
Proof of Financial Means
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself financially throughout your stay in Schengen. The following documents are required:
Bank Account Statement – The statement should not be older than three months. It must show that you have enough money in your account for the trip.
Sponsorship Letter – A letter by another person to confirm that they will be financially supporting your Schengen trip. It must be accompanied by the sponsor’s recent bank statement (not older than three months).
A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship.
Note: additional documents may be required depending on your employment status or if you are a minor.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the UAE?
There are some simple steps to follow if you want to apply for a Schengen visa in the UAE.
Check which embassy/consulate to apply to based on the country you intend to visit and its visa application process.
Schedule an appointment at the appropriate embassy/consulate/visa centre.
Attend the visa interview. Take all the required documents in the given order.
Please wait for the response. The embassy processes your visa through EU security systems such as the Visa Information System and Schengen Information System.
Generally, it will take about 15 days for the application to be processed by the respective embassy. You will get a response after this period.
Where to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the UAE?
Although the Schengen visa allows you to visit 27 European countries, there are clear & strict rules regarding where you should apply for the visa. Applying at the wrong embassy/consulate can lead to a rejection of your visa application.
Most of the Schengen countries have their embassies/consulates in Dubai or Abu Dhabi that may accept visa applications. In some cases, the visa processing is outsourced to the embassy/consulate of another country or to companies that offer visa services.
Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection
Applying for a Schengen visa is no guarantee that the application will be accepted. But you can always appeal the decision if your application gets rejected. The common reasons why the application may be rejected by the Schengen embassies are listed below
The applicant has past or current criminal cases and hence is considered a threat to public policy, internal security, or public wealth of the Schengen area.
The applicant produces false travel documents to the embassy/consulate and tries to fake or misrepresent his/her identity.
The consular authorities may reject your application if you do not provide a proper explanation regarding the purpose of your travel and stay.
A damaged or defaced passport often leads to visa refusal. The passport may not be in good condition, or the pages may be missing.
Passport invalidity or presenting a passport that is not acceptable to the embassy/consulate is a valid ground for denying a visa application.
Failure to present a proper plan of your travel or proof of accommodation in the Schengen area often leads to the rejection of your visa application.
The applicant lacks sufficient financial means to support his/her duration of stay in the Schengen area and return to the home country.
Lack of sufficient travel insurance coverage for the entire trip can result in a visa refusal.
Any past history of visa violation or holding a passport with an active Schengen visa also leads to visa rejection.
Benefits of International Travel Insurance on Your Trip
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. International travel insurance provides protection against unforeseen situations in a foreign land. Some of the benefits are listed below.
It is mandatory for travelers to purchase travel insurance in order to apply for a Schengen visa.
It’s quite expensive to access good quality healthcare services abroad. Travel insurance provides coverage for sudden hospitalization or emergency evacuation on medical grounds.
Last-minute trip cancellations or interruptions entail huge financial losses. Travel insurance compensates for such losses.
Flight delays and rescheduling may warrant additional expenses to travellers. Travel insurance can cover these expenses.
Travel insurance pays for your essential items if your baggage is lost or delayed.
it also provides assistance if you lose your travel documents or need emergency cash support on a foreign trip.
FAQ's on How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from Dubai
Generally, it takes around 15 days the processing your Schengen visa application by the embassy. But this may get extended to 30 days or 60 days (in exceptional cases) for more detailed scrutiny of your application or if additional documents are needed.
It is extremely easy to obtain a Schengen visa from countries like Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland. These countries have a high acceptance rate, with over 98% of applications getting accepted. However, countries such as Belgium, Sweden, and France have relatively higher rejection rates.
If your Schengen visa application gets rejected, you will also get the reasons for rejection and instructions on appealing this decision. You can appeal against this decision by writing a letter to the Schengen Embassy.
Yes. It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance in order to obtain a Schengen visa. The policy should provide medical insurance coverage of at least 30,000 euros for your foreign trip.
Disclaimer: The nations, visa costs, and other information presented here are derived from a variety of sources. This is not a recommendation or promotion from Prominent Insurance Brokers. Before purchasing your tickets or requesting a visa, please confirm the same.