Schengen Visit Visa – Tourist Visa

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHENGEN VISA IN ABU DHABI AND DUBAI?

The United Arab Emirates remains one of the most popular destinations for both tourism and business worldwide. Its residents are among the most experienced travellers globally.
In 2017, the United Arab Emirates was among the top 15 countries whose citizens applied for the most Schengen residency visas.

According to the European Commission, 267K UAE nationals sought a Schengen visa that year. Since May 2015, when UAE expatriates were granted visa-free access to all Schengen countries, tourism in the region has significantly increased.

However, starting on January 1, 2021, citizens of the United Arab Emirates will be required to obtain an ETIAS visa before travelling to Europe.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO UAE RESIDENTS NEED TO ENTER EUROPE?

UAE expatriates must present specific documents upon arrival, even if they are not obligated to obtain a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen Area. The final decision on their admission will be made by the border patrol officer.

The required documents include:

  • UAE-issued passports and other travel papers. They must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay in Europe.
  • Evidence of the purpose of their visit.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support their stay.
  • The list of European countries that do not require a Schengen visa includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

WHO CAN SUBMIT A SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

On the contrary, individuals residing in any of the seven emirates of the UAE, who are not citizens of the country and do not meet the requirements for visa-free travel to the Schengen area, will be required to apply for a Schengen visa. To find out which nationalities require a Schengen visa, please consult the provided list.

Schengen visa applicants in the UAE must fall under one of the following categories:

  • UAE nationals who have recently lost their privilege of entering the Schengen area without a visa.
  • Foreigners who are citizens of a country with a visa-free agreement with the Schengen region but have been denied a visa, and hold either a partial or full residency permit in the UAE.
  • Foreigners who are citizens of any country without a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen countries.

The requirements for UAE citizens applying for a Schengen visa are as follows:

The following documents are required to apply for a short-term Schengen visa in the United Arab Emirates:

  • Firstly, complete the form accurately and honestly. Once completed, make two copies of the document and sign both of them.
  • A valid passport is essential: It must be recent, issued within the last ten years, and valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area.
  • Two recent photographs taken within the last three months are necessary to meet Schengen requirements.
  • Proof of UAE residency permit: The residency permit should be valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
  • A confirmed flight itinerary is required to show that you have booked a flight from the United Arab Emirates to the Schengen Zone and back on the specific dates of your intended entry and exit.
  • Provide a brief explanation for your desire to visit Europe, including any specific destinations you have in mind, the duration of your intended stay, and any other relevant information.
  • Your accommodation during your Schengen visit should be indicated in your proof of residence. Acceptable forms of proof include a hotel reservation, rental agreement, or a welcome letter from your host.

You must demonstrate the ability to financially support yourself during your visit to the Schengen region. This can be shown through one of the following options:

  • A bank statement showing sufficient funds in your account to cover the trip, dated no more than three months prior to the application date.
  • A sponsorship letter from a third party guaranteeing financial support for your trip to the Schengen area. This letter must be accompanied by an income statement from the sponsor dated more than three months ago to be considered valid.

Additionally, provide your bank statements along with the sponsorship letter.

Additional requirements must be fulfilled when applying for a distinct Schengen visa category in the UAE. These include the prerequisites for a business visa, tourist visa, visitor’s visa, and transit visa.