Guide: Schengen visa for UAE Expats

With a Schengen visa, you are able to travel to and tour numerous European nations. This visa makes it simple to travel between these nations, so you can relax and take in the sights.

Any of the 26 nations that make up the Schengen Area are accessible to travelers with a Schengen visa. This region is a zone that includes both EU and non-EU nations. Anyone possessing a Schengen visa is able to spend up to 90 days within a six-month period in any Schengen nation.

What is Schengen visa? 

• A Schengen visa is a transitory visa that enables travel within the aforementioned Schengen Area.
• The visa can only be obtained for up to 90 days at a time and is only good for six months.
• Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and other well-known nations are among those that make up the Schengen Area.

Who requires a Schengen visa?

To enter and travel within the Schengen Area, certain nations’ citizens need a Schengen visa. You can view the list of nations whose citizens are required to obtain a Schengen Visa prior to traveling to Europe:

• Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
• Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi,
• Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba,
• Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic,
• Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
• Fiji,
• Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,
• Haiti,
• India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast,
• Jamaica, Jordan,
• Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan,
• Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,
• Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar,
• Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands,
• Oman,
• Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines,
• Qatar,
• Russia, Rwanda,
• Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria,
• Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu,
• Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan,
• Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,
• Yemen,
• Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

As an expat UAE resident, there are various processes involved in applying for a Schengen visa.

1. For short-term stays such as vacations, business travels, or visits with family and friends, a Schengen visa is the best option. It forbids employment or study within the Schengen Region.
2. Keep in mind that a Schengen visa does not permit travel to any Schengen countries for the purpose of employment or education. For certain uses, a different kind of visa is required.
3. Decide where you’re going: Decide which Schengen nation you will visit the most when traveling. You must submit your visa application to the embassy or consulate of this nation.
4. Processing Time: Depending on the embassy, consulate, and season, Schengen visa processing times may change. In order to minimize delays, it is always advised to apply for such visas at least three months before your anticipated travel dates.
5. Verify the visa prerequisites: It’s possible that the standards vary slightly among Schengen nations. To review their particular requirements, visit the embassy or consulate website of your destination.
6. Fill out the visa application form: To guarantee that all the necessary information is accurate and full, you must download and complete the visa application form in advance.
7. Documents Required for Schengen Visa for UAE:
   • A passport with two blank pages for visa stamps and a validity date that is at least three months beyond your anticipated departure date.
   • Two or more passport-sized images that meet the criteria for Schengen visa photos.
   • A thorough itinerary that includes all booked accommodations, confirmed flights, and activities that will aid in obtaining visas.
   • Any hotel reservations or a letter from a host who lives in the Schengen region welcoming you on a trip might serve as proof of lodging.
   • For the duration of your trip and with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000 (around $35,400 or AED 129,900), you must have travel health insurance.
   • Proof of funds, such as six-month-old bank statements, pay stubs, or any official letter from your employer, proving your ability to pay for your trip.
   • An official letter from your employer outlining the nature of your trip, the duration of your employment, and your position, if you are employed.
   • A copy of your business license and tax return paperwork for self-employed people.
   • A letter from your school confirming your enrolment and the reason for your travel, if you’re a student.]
8. Make a reservation: It is usually advisable to schedule an appointment in advance to submit your visa application and other necessary documents at the embassy or consulate of your final destination. While some embassies would demand online appointments, others might accept walk-in applications.
9. Attend the appointment for a visa: Arrive at your visa appointment on time, prepared with your filled-out visa application form and all required paperwork. Answer all questions on your trip, funds, and connections to the UAE during the meeting without holding back.
10. Pay the visa fee: Do so at your appointment for a Schengen visa. The price can vary depending on the embassy or consulate, but it is often around €80 (around $94.40 or AED 346.40).
11. After submitting your application, you can check on its status online or by contacting the embassy or consulate. Remember that the duration of the visa processing period can range from 15 to 30 days. Therefore, prepare your application in advance.
12. Pick up your visa at the embassy or consulate after it has been approved. Before leaving the building, double-check that all the visa information is accurate.
13. The Schengen Area can be entered and exited within 90 days of each 180-day period using a Schengen visa that is good for a single entry or multiple entries.
14. Duration: Visitors may stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days during a 180-day period with this visa.

Also Read: Norway Schengen Visa Application Requirements

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