How to apply for a Schengen visa from UAE

If you are thinking of travelling to Europe from the UAE, you should seriously consider applying for a Schengen visa. France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are just four of the 26 Schengen visa countries (i.e. countries accessible with a Schengen visa), which gives you unrestricted access to the entire Schengen area. If you want to visit one or multiple countries in the Schengen area, read on for basic information about how to apply for a Schengen visa from UAE, including where to apply for Schengen visa from Dubai, where to access the application for a Schengen visa from Dubai, Schengen visa countries, and the Schengen visa fee. 

When should I apply for a Schengen visa in UAE?

• If you are applying for a Schengen visa from the UAE, you should apply at least two weeks (15 days) before you plan on leaving, and no later than six months before your trip.

How much does a Schengen visa cost from UAE?

• The Schengen visa fee for most adults is €80. 
• Holders of diplomatic or service passports, children, and people who fall into other special categories may not have to pay at all (or may be entitled to a reduced rate). 
• Certain countries accept online payment for visa fees, prior to the submission of the application. Other countries will require you to pay during your visa appointment, so be sure to find out when and how you should pay (cash, check, etc).  

What country should I apply to?

• If you are applying for a Schengen visa in the UAE, you should apply via the country consulate or embassy of the Schengen state you want to travel to. 
• If you hope to travel to more than one Schengen country on the same journey, you should apply through the country where you intend to spend the most time. 
• If you are spending an equal amount of time in two or more countries, you should apply to the first country you will enter in the Schengen area. 
• For example, if you plan on entering the Schengen area by flying from Abu Dhabi to Berlin, in order to travel around Germany, France, and Spain, and you are planning on spending twenty days in each country, you should apply for a Schengen visa from Germany (your point of first entry). 

Where to apply for a schengen visa from uae

• If you are applying for a Schengen visa in the UAE, you will be happy to know that most of the top Schengen countries have multiple missions around the Emirates. Certain countries work with visa service providers, so you may end up submitting your application to an external (non-consulate) company, which will forward your application to that country’s consulate/embassy. The following examples of Germany and France are provided below:
  • If you are applying for a Schengen visa for Germany: applicants from Al Ain or Ajman should apply through a visa application center located in Abu Dhabi, whereas if you are applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai, or from Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, or Umm Al-Quwain, you should apply through a visa application center located in Dubai. All German Schengen applications from the UAE are ultimately processed through the German Consulate General in Dubai.
  • If you are applying for a Schengen visa for France: applicants from all seven Emirates have the option of applying either through a visa application center located in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. 

Where is the Schengen visa application?

• The Schengen visa Dubai application (and the application for Abu Dhabi and all the Emirates) can be found online here. Most countries will accept this form, which is harmonized (i.e. universal to) all applicants, regardless of where they are applying to or from. If the embassy/consulate you are applying through accepts this form, print it out, sign, it, and submit it with the rest of your required documents with your completed application. 
• Certain countries, such as Germany, prefer that applicants apply online through an online visa navigator. If you are applying for a Schengen visa to Germany, you should therefore apply via that link, which is accessible in multiple languages including English and Arabic. Check with your respective country consulate/embassy to determine the best way to access the Schengen visa application. 

What documents do I need?

• If you are applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai or another Emirate, you will need to submit your Schengen visa application, as well as all the basic required documents listed here (including a passport, photos of yourself, and proof of travel medical insurance). 
• In addition to the basic required documents, you will also have to provide additional supplemental materials based on the type of visa you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a Medical reasons Schengen visa, you will have to also submit information about the medical procedure you are planning on undergoing in the Schengen area, as well as a recent medical report.  

What is the Schengen visa processing time?

• After reviewing your application, consular authorities should report back to you with their decision in around 15 days. 
• Occasionally, the processing period can be 30 days or (very rarely) take as long as 60 days.  

Do I need to make an appointment to hand in my applications?

• Certain countries require you to make an appointment prior to handing in your documents. 
• If you are applying through an online application portal, you may be given the option of making an appointment online, prior to submitting your application. 
• Other countries might require you to contact the embassy/consulate directly to make an appointment, which you will likely have to attend in person. 

  Do I have to apply in person?

• Most Schengen countries require applicants to appear in person as part of the application process. 
• Because all Schengen applicants are required to have their biometric information (fingerprints and photo) taken as part of their application, you will have to appear in person if you have never done this before. 
• If you have already had your biometric information taken on a previous Schengen visa application, you may not be required to appear in person in order to finalize your application. However, even applicants who have already applied for a Schengen visa may be asked to appear in person in order to submit to a short interview.