Schengen Visit Visa From Dubai
Overview About Schengen Visit Visa from Dubai
A European vacation is not just a perfect getaway to spend your holidays. It can also be a great occasion to meet and bond with close family members, relatives, or friends settled in Europe. About 27 European countries form part of the Schengen region.
A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows foreign nationals to travel across these countries with minimal restrictions. You may need to apply for a Schengen visit visa from Dubai to meet your loved ones settled in Europe.
What is a Schengen Visit Visa?
UAE citizens do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area. However, residents who do not hold a UAE passport or do not belong to the Schengen visa-exempt countries must apply and obtain a Schengen visitor visa. This visa grants you authorization to transit through or stay in any of the Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. You need to apply for a visitor’s residence permit if you plan to stay beyond 90 days in Europe.
Know more about:
List of Schengen Visit Visa Requirements
A Schengen visa application form is completely filled with the correct information.
A valid passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum validity of three months after you plan to leave the Schengen region. Passports older than ten years shall not be accepted.
Two photographs taken within the last three months according to the requirements of the Schengen states
A ‘Letter of Invitation’ from your family members, relatives, or friends staying in the Schengen countries along with their passport copies. If they are not a citizen of these countries, a copy of their residency permit is required.
Flight reservation copies to provide details of dates and flight numbers indicating the entry and exit from the Schengen area. A travel itinerary that provides other details of your Schengen trip is also required.
Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for emergency medical treatment and repatriation of mortal remains in case of death.
Personal bank account statements or a sponsorship letter or both to prove that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during the Schengen trip
Proof of family relationship is required if you are visiting any of your relatives.
Accommodation details furnishing information about the place where you intend to stay during the Schengen trip. This includes the residence of your friends or relatives, hotel, hostel, rented room, house, apartment, etc.
Salaried employees need to provide details of their employment, tax returns, and leave sanctions from their employers. Self-employed individuals must furnish a copy of their business license, the company’s tax returns, and bank statements for the past six months. Students require proof of enrollment and no objection letter from their educational institutions.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visit Visa and Where to Submit?
Step 1
First, verify whether you are eligible to apply for a Schengen Visit Visa
Step 2
Confirm where you should apply and check the best time to submit your visa application
Step 3
Complete the Schengen visa application form with the correct information
Step 4
Collect all the necessary documents required for a Schengen visa to visit your family members, friends, or relatives
Step 5
Schedule a time slot for the visa interview and attend the interview
Step 6
Pay the requisite visa fees and wait for the embassy to process your visa application
Regarding where to submit your Schengen visa application, it depends on the number of countries you intend to visit during the trip.
If you are planning to visit only one Schengen country, file the visa application with the concerned authorities in your home country. This can be any of the following:
Embassy or Consulate
A visa processing centre to which the visa submission work has been outsourced
The embassy or consulate of another country to which the concerned country has outsourced visa processing
In case you are planning to visit more than one country in the Schengen list, submit your visa application to the concerned authority of the country where:
Do you intend to stay the maximum number of days, OR
The country where you will enter first (if you are planning to stay an equal number of days in every country)
When Should You Apply for a Schengen Visit Visa?
The Schengen countries have a stated policy regarding the earliest and latest dates at which you can file your visa application. Accordingly, you must file the visa application at least 15 days before the date of your planned trip to Europe. The earliest date to file an application for a Schengen visit visa from Dubai is three months before the date of your planned trip to the Schengen region.
The ideal time to apply for a Schengen visa to visit your family members, friends, or relatives is four weeks before the date of your trip.
What is the Visa Processing time?
The average time taken to process a Schengen visitor visa across the world is two weeks, So you may need to wait for at least 15 days for the visa processing and approval. However, it may take around 30 days to process the visa in certain specific situations. This can even extend to about 60 days under unusual or extraordinary situations.
Please note that the processing time is longer than average during the busy holiday season of June to August.
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Charges for a Schengen Visa
Validity of a Schengen Visitor Visa
The validity of a Schengen visitor visa essentially depends on the embassy or consulate that issues the visa. The number of days you are permitted to stay in the Schengen region is indicated by the visa sticker attached to your passport.
However, the maximum validity of a Schengen visa to visit your friends or relatives is 90 days over a 6-month period.
Please note that you should apply for a visitors’ residence permit if you plan to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days.
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Frequently Asked Questions on the Schengen Visit Visa
Do UAE residents require a Schengen visa to visit their relatives and friends staying in Europe?
UAE citizens do not require a visa to enter any of the European countries in the Schengen region. However, other residents who do not hold a UAE passport and do not belong to the visa-exempt countries must obtain a Schengen visitor visa.
Can I get a refund if my Schengen visa application is rejected?
No. The application fee paid for the Schengen visit visa is not refundable under any circumstances. You cannot claim a refund even if your Schengen visa application for visiting relatives or friends gets rejected by the authorities.
What can I do if my Schengen visa application gets rejected?
In case your Schengen visitor visa application gets rejected, you will also be informed of the reasons for the same. Later, you can appeal against the decision by writing an appeal letter to the concerned authorities.
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.