The Schengen visa is essential for those UAE Residents who are wishing or planning to visit the countries of Schengen area. Schengen area is the pleasing land that contains European countries. Schengen visa is the document that allows the applicants to visit the countries of this area. Through obtaining this visa you become eligible to travel between any of these countries. So, if you are residing in the UAE and want to travel between these Schengen countries then it is compulsory of having the complete knowledge about such purpose.
In this particular guide, we will cover each and everything about the Schengen visa procedure. The guide include the details about Schengen area, Schengen visa details, validity of visa, requirements, eligibility criteria, required documents and also the Schengen visa application process. If are serious about travelling to these countries then you must read this guide. After reading the particular guide you will be able to handle the whole process easily.
Schengen Visa requirements for UAE Residents
The citizens of UAE (United Arab Emirates) don’t need a visa for the short visit to Schengen areas. They are eligible to stay in the European countries of Schengen area. As, they have the nationality of UAE and UAE is one of the visa exempt countries by the Schengen area. Through this facility, they can take a stay of 90 days (3 months) in this area within the180 days (6 months).
As the UAE citizens can travel in Schengen countries without visa but it is also essential to keep travel documents along you. In several cases, you may need them to prove your nationality for visa free entry and authorization for such purpose. You must keep your visa copy, passport copy, NOC from the company and bank statements.
Must Read: Japan eVisa
Schengen Area Countries
The Schengen area is the land of 29 countries which includes European and some other countries. The Schengen visa allows the individual to travel among these specific countries. The countries of Schengen area are as following.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Czechia
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Norway
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland.
Must Read: Canada visa from UAE
Required Documents for UAE Residents
It is the most important step of gathering the necessary documents to begin the application process. In the process of applying for the visa you will need these documents for filling the form and to show these documents to the the authorities or embassy. Keep in mind that it is compulsory to provide these documents for successful application. otherwise, your application for the Schengen visa will be rejected due to lack of documents and papers. The required documents are as following.
- A valid Passport: Having a valid passport is required for the application to the visa. The passport must be valid for six months from the date of application. The passport must contain 2-3 blank pages.
- UAE Residence Permit: The applicant must keep UAE Residence Permit / UAE Visa copy with the validity if three months from the date of departure to the Schengen countries.
- NOC: NOC letter (No Objection Certificate) from the authorized company is required to apply for the visa to such countries. The applicant must keep such document for the the process to make application.
- Filled Visa Application form: The applicant is required to provide a filled visa application form. the details inserted in the application form must be authentic and original.
- Financial Proof: The bank statements as a proof of the applicant’s stability are required. The applicant must keep previous six months financial records for visa application procedure.
- Evidence of accommodation: The documents containing the accommodation details are required such as hotel reservation and rental details.
- Cover letter: A cover letter explaining the details about the purpose of your visit to these countries is required. The applicant must keep it during the application process.
- Photographs: The applicant must have the recently taken 3-4 photos with white background.
- Other Travel documents: The applicant should keep other necessary documents according to the visa type. the additional documents may include flight tickets, return tickets, Itinerary details and travel insurance.
Read More: Egypt Visa for UAE residents
Visa fee for Schengen Visa
Schengen visa Fee for adults is €90 (350 AEDs), for 6-12 years old children is €45 (175 AEDs) and the children under 6 years can travel free with their parents. You can pay the fee through cash, debit/ credit card, bank transfer or through online.
Application Process for Schengen Visa
Understand your visa type
Determining the visa type is an important step for the visa application. Firstly, you need to decide which type of visa do you need. It depends on your purpose of visit. Whether, if you are going for travel purpose, visiting family, meeting relatives, attending meetings or for any other business purpose that may take short time.
Then, you can apply for the visit visa to the Schengen countries. But if you have any other purpose that may take long time period of satay there then you can apply for the long term visa. Decide and finalize your visa type according to your purpose of visit to Schengen area.
Fill the application form
First, find out the application form online for Schengen visa and download it in PDF form. Fill the form with complete accuracy and provide the authentic information. If you will fill the form with wrong info then it increases the chances of your visa denial. So, make sure to insert the authentic data with complete accuracy.
Attach the required documents
After filling the application form you will have to attach all the necessary documents required for the Schengen visa application. All the required and important documents are described here above in the article. the applicant must prepare all these documents before the beginning of visa application. After attaching the documents review your application form once again and make sure you haven’t made any mistake during filling the form.
Must Read: Golden Visa UAE
Where to submit application form
You must have to submit the application form to the embassy for issuing a visa for you. After filling the form you need to submit it, but where to submit it? The answer is simple. You can submit the visa application form to the embassy or consulate of the country where you are planning to visit. For example if you want to travel to Germany then you can go to the visa application embassy or consulate of Germany and can submit the form for Germany Schengen visa on their website.
If visiting the single Schengen country: Applying for one Schengen country is simple and smooth forward. If you want to visit only one Schengen country then you can apply through the visa embassy or consulate of such country by submitting the visa application form.
If applying for multiple Schengen countries: In such case you need to decide for your main destination and primary destination. Main destination is the country where you will spend more time then the other countries and it will be the your final destination. Primary destination are the nations as check points where you will spend a short time period. Through this you could decide your first entry nation where you will submit the application form.
Must Read: UK Visit visa from UAE
Book a Schengen visa appointment
After submitting the application form you need to schedule an appointment for your Schengen visa. The appointment will be related to the country where you are going to and you can schedule it through such country’s embassy or consulate office or through their official website. Scheduling an appointment is necessary as it boosts your chances for visa approval. So, make it sure to book an appointment for such purpose so that they will grant you the Schengen visa to the Schengen countries.
Attend the appointment
After booking the appointment you will get the time and date for the appointment. You will have to arrive at the center for attending the appointment. Go for the interview a half hour ago for avoiding the delays. Don’t be hesitated during the interview rather stay calm and relaxed. simply answer their queries, they will just ask you about your purpose of visit, your work and some other personal details.
Also carry your essential documents with you. You may need them during the interview to show them. So, you must carry them along with you. They will also get your fingerprints for biometric verification and you must have to provide them your recently taken photos. So, be prepared for the appointment and its process by collecting all the essential papers.
Processing Time for Schengen visa
The processing for the Schengen visa may take 15-20 days normally after the submission of visa application. But in some cases it may take up to 45-50 days. You must have to wait for the visa response. you can track your Schengen visa and see its status by getting your visa reference code through the VAC (Visa Application center).
If your visa application approves then you can start your journey on the specific dates but if your visa application get rejection then you can’t. the reason of your visa application denial will be written with it. You can either re-apply or appeal for the visa.
Get your Passport
Once your visa application to Schengen countries approves, you can go to the embassy or consulate to receive your passport. This is the document that will allow you for the journey to the Schengen countries. You must have to keep this with you during the whole journey. You may need it at anytime so keep carrying it with yourself.
Read More: Oman Visit Visa