Residents in the UAE are permitted to apply for the Schengen visa, which provides access to the Schengen countries located in Europe.
The countries covered by the Schengen visa include:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
With a Schengen visa, a person can travel to and between Schengen countries without having to go through passport checks or other forms of border control at their mutual borders.
The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that permits an individual to stay in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa can be issued for various purposes, such as tourism, business, study, or family visits.
It's important to note that the Schengen visa, like any other visa, does not guarantee entry into the Schengen area. Border officials have the right to deny entry if they suspect that the traveller poses a security risk or if they do not meet the entry requirements.
Residents of the UAE can apply for the Schengen visa, but it is recommended that they do so at least six months in advance due to its high demand. While the application process is relatively straightforward, it can take some time to obtain all the necessary documents and secure an appointment at the visa application center.
Individuals who wish to apply for a Schengen visa will need to submit their application through the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country they intend to visit. Each country has its own application process and requirements, so it's important to research the specific embassy or consulate before beginning the application process.
As a general requirement, Schengen visa applicants need to provide their passport, recent photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds, and travel medical insurance.
Furthermore, there may be a visa fee applicable to the application, which can vary depending on the country being visited.
If you are in the UAE and planning to apply for a Schengen visa, here is everything you need to know:
Entry requirements for Schengen visa
Starting 2024, UAE citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS visa, valid for three years, prior to their travel to Europe. However, UAE passport holders do not currently require a Schengen visa to enter the listed countries. At the port of entry, individuals with UAE passports must present their valid passport or travel document, which must remain valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay in Europe. They must also provide evidence of their purpose of visit, sufficient financial means to support their stay in Schengen, and any other documents required by specific states.
First-time applicants for a Schengen visa should confirm whether their nationality requires a visa.
They will need to provide:
- A valid UAE passport or travel document to enter Europe.
- The passport or travel document must be valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay in Europe.
- Proof of the purpose of their visit.
- Evidence of sufficient financial means to support their stay in the Schengen area.
- Additional documents may be required by specific countries.
Requirements for Schengen visa application
It is important to note that there are four types of Schengen visas, each with their own specific requirements. These include business visas, tourist visas, visitor visas, and transit visas.
Based on Schengenvisainfo.com, the following documents are required when applying for a short-term Schengen visa in the UAE:
- A fully completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- A valid passport, no older than 10 years, with a validity of at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Zone
- Two photos taken within the last three months, according to Schengen states’ standards
- Proof of a valid residence permit in the UAE, at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area
- A travel flight itinerary showing roundtrip reservations from the UAE to the Schengen Zone on the exact dates of entry and exit
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the trip, specifying the countries to be visited, and other details
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking, rent agreement, or letter of invitation from a host
- Proof of financial means, such as a bank account statement showing sufficient funds for the trip, a letter of sponsorship accompanied by the sponsor’s bank statement, or a combination of both
- Europe Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, provided by companies such as Europ Assistance and Mondial Care.
Applying for the Schengen visa
To apply for a Schengen visa, you should first determine which Embassy/Consulate to apply at based on the country you plan to visit and their visa application process. Once you have determined this, you should schedule an appointment at the appropriate embassy/consulate/visa center and attend the visa interview with all the required documents in the given order. After this, you will need to wait for a response while the embassy processes your visa through EU security systems, such as the Visa Information System and Schengen Information System.
After submitting the application, it typically takes about 15 days for the embassy to process it and provide a response.
Schengen visa fee
| Schengen Visa Category | Visa Fee in AED |
| Adult | 340 |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | 170 |
| Children younger than 6 years of age | Free |
| Holders of diplomatic and service passports | Free |
| A family member of an EU/EEA national | Free |
The visa fee in AED (Arab Emirate Dirham) is based on the current exchange rate and is subject to change without notice.
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