Fees and application process for Schengen visa from Dubai

• Overview
• ETIAS Requirements
• Eligibility Criteria
• Application Requirements
• Visa Process
• Where to Apply for Schengen Visa
• FAQs

Dubai’s strategic location on the world map offers quick access to other countries. As an international hub, Dubai residents can reach Europe within a 5 to 8-hour flight, making it a popular travel destination. However, to visit your dream European holiday spot, you may need a Schengen visa from Dubai, allowing entry into several EU countries within the Schengen zone. Before packing your bags for your Europe trip, it’s essential to understand the requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa from the UAE.

How to Get a Schengen Visa from Dubai

Without a doubt, Europe is a popular travel destination for residents of the UAE. If you are planning a trip to one of the countries under the Schengen visa, it is essential to understand what this visa is and how to apply for Schengen visa from Dubai.

What is a Schengen Visa and what are Schengen Countries?

The term Schengen is derived from the Schengen Agreement where 27 European countries abolished internal border checks. This means you only need a single visa on your passport to visit these 27 countries in Europe.

A Schengen visa holder from Dubai is allowed to transit through or stay visa-free in any Schengen State territory for a duration of 90 days in any 180 days period. This visa is also known as a short-stay visa.

Similarly, airport transit visas allow the bearer to transit through any international transit areas of any territory located within the Schengen states. While there are other types of Schengen visas, limited territorial validity visa, transit visa, student and business visas, we will focus on tourist visas.

The list of Schengen countries includes:

1. Austria
2. Hungary
3. Norway
4. Belgium      
5. Iceland
6. Poland
7. Czech Republic
8. Croatia
9. Italy
10. Portugal
11. Denmark    
12. Latvia 
13. Slovakia
14. Estonia
15. Liechtenstein  
16. Slovenia
17. Finland
18. Lithuania    
19. Spain
20. France
21. Luxembourg
22. Sweden
23. Germany    
24. Malta 
25. Switzerland
26. Greece
27. Netherlands

ETIAS REQUIREMENTS

From 2025, UAE nationals will be required to follow the new modifications to the visa-free entry to the Schengen zone and other EU countries.

Under the new regulations, European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be required to enter any of the Schengen nations. All visa-exempt citizens—including Emirati nationals—will need to register with ETIAS.

However, its important to note that the ETIA is not a visa but a visa waiver programme for visa-exempt non-EU citizens.

Valid for three years, the ETIAS short application form is available online. The applicant will be notified via email, and the approved visa waiver will be electronically connected to their passport.

Once the form is complete and verified, it will allow you to visit all Schengen states. However, it’s essential that passengers go through the country selected as the first point of entry in the Schengen zone. Make sure to apply for the form 96 hours prior to your journey.

Within this three-year time limit, UAE citizens can visit Schengen countries from Dubai multiple times for up to 90 days (each entry) for tourism, transit, business, family and medical treatment.

The ETIAS form will cost €7 (AED 25). Travellers under the age of 18 and over the age of 70 will be exempted from paying a fee.

The plan initially was to launch the programme from 2022 but it has been pushed ahead to 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for Schengen Visa from Dubai

To be eligible to apply for a Schengen Visa from Dubai, the applicant must be a citizen or resident of Dubai and must fulfil the following criteria:

• The applicant must have a valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiration.
• The applicant must have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in the Schengen Area.
• The applicant must have travel insurance that covers the entire period of their stay in the Schengen Area.
• The applicant must have a valid reason for their visit to the Schengen Area, such as tourism, business, or visiting family or friends.

Schengen Visa Application Requirements for UAE

What are the ‘Schengen visa requirements Dubai’ is a commonly asked question. The Schengen visa for Europe application from Dubai is not complex if you have all the required paperwork. The following list of mandatory documents for Schengen visa from Dubai needs to be submitted for processing the visa. 

• You will be required to submit the application form for a Schengen visa in Dubai, fully signed and completed to the best of your knowledge.

• Two recent photographs taken no less than 3 to 4 months ago which adhere to the visa photo requirements (3.5×4.5 cm).

• A passport not older than 10 years with validity of at least three or more months, beyond the date you are planning to leave the Schengen states.

• Proof of Residency in the UAE, a document that proves you have the necessary residence permit that must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure date from Schengen country.

• When applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai you need to have the entire round trip reservation and itinerary with you that includes all flight and hotel bookings. The documents must specify crucial information such as flight numbers with entry and exit dates from any of the Schengen states.

• Cover letter that explains in detail why you wish to visit Europe. The more accurate information you provide, the easier it is to validate your visa and other details.

• Travel insurance policy to prove that you have the necessary health insurance for the entire Schengen territory. You should have a minimum coverage of 300,000 euros if any illness or an unfortunate accident should befall you during your visit.

• Proof of accommodation is another essential document that proves your proper accommodation throughout your stay. The accommodation can be a hotel/hostel, or an Airbnb, a letter of invitation will be required if you are staying with a host or on a rental agreement.

• Proof of financial means. You are required to submit complete financial information proving you have enough funds to support your travel, accommodation and other expenses.

• Sponsorship letter must be submitted if you have a sponsor in any Schengen country. The letter confirms that your sponsor has enough funds to support your stay in the country. To make the document valid, a bank statement must accompany it. Attach yours and the sponsor’s bank statement together with the letter of sponsorship if you have a sponsor.

• Proof of paid visa fee is one of the most important steps in the application process.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in Dubai?

UAE residents have to undergo the following steps to apply for their short-stay Schengen visa from Dubai:

CHECK WHICH CONSULATE OR EMBASSY YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA

To apply for a Schengen visa in UAE it’s important to know which country should issue your visa if you plan to visit more than one Schengen country during your intended stay. The country you will spend more time in should be the one selected. If you are planning to spend equal number of days in each country, you can select the one where you will travel first.

The second step is to be aware of the body that manages all visa applications.

You have to note whether or not the country you plan to visit has outsourced its visa submissions to a third party and you also have to ensure that you have submitted a complete Schengen visa from Dubai application form.

You can apply six months in advance from your planned date of travel, whereas minimum there should a gap of 15 days from the date of application and date of travel.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND ATTEND THE EUROPE VISA INTERVIEW

Schedule a VFS Dubai Schengen visa appointment for an interview. Your interview can be held with either the consulate, an embassy or a visa centre in the third step of the visa process.

Take all the required documents with you for the scheduled visa interview. Make sure to check all your documents to ensure you have all the documents included in the aforementioned document checklist.

WAIT FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE CONSULATE, EMBASSY OR VISA CENTRE

After your interview, all you need to do is to wait for a response from the embassy. The response time varies depending on the nature of your trip and the number of countries you wish to visit.

There is no rule of thumb to determine which country provides the fastest Schengen visa from Dubai. Your visa request accompanied by all the complete documentation will be processed thoroughly under the EU security systems such as the Schengen Information System and the Visa Information System.

The processing time for Schengen visa from Dubai is anywhere from 15 working days and it could take longer in some cases. If you are wondering about which Schengen visa is easy to get from Dubai – it all depends on the Schengen state you plan to visit and the nature of your stay among other things. 

 The cost of Schengen visa from Dubai

Schengen Visa Category	Visa Fee
Schengen Visa Category Adults	Visa Fee AED 360
Schengen Visa Category Children between 6 to 11 years old	Visa Fee AED 180
Schengen Visa Category Children younger than 6 years old	Visa Fee Free
Schengen Visa Category Holders of diplomatic and service passports	Visa Fee Free
Schengen Visa Category A family member of an EU/EEA national	Visa Fee Free

SCHENGEN VISA DUBAI SERVICE FEE

VFS Global also has a service fee. Those applying from Dubai will pay AED 83.72 and for applicants in Abu Dhabi, it will be AED 108.92 in lieu of Schengen visa Dubai service fee.

Note: Please note that the fee for Schengen visit visa from Dubai and the rest of the UAE is in AED and is subject to fluctuation in the EUR exchange rate.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai

The VFS Schengen visa application centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi handle Schengen visa applications from the UAE. The VFS Global in Wafi Mall is primarily used to process all Schengen visa applications. VFS is a third party that handles all visa proceedings for Schengen visas from Dubai. On the other hand, some countries including Spain rely on other services. Here’s a breakdown of all the centres from where you can apply for a visa.

VSF Global offers visa services for the following countries

1. Austria
2. Italy
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. France
6. Germany
7. Greece
8. Croatia
9. Hungary
10. Malta
11. Netherlands
12. Norway
13. Finland
14. Lithuania    
15. Portugal
16. Sweden
17. Switzerland

However, you will be required to pay a visit to the embassies in Abu Dhabi for your visa processing if you wish to visit the following countries:

1. Slovakia
2. Poland

You’ll need to visit the BLS Centre in Dubai if you wish to apply for visa to Spain.

Here are the details of the various visa processing centres in Dubai.

• The VFS Global Application Centre Address in Dubai: Joint Visa Application Centre, Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2
• Phone Number: +971-4-205-5666
• BLS Centre in Dubai: Unit no 118 -119, Mezzanine floor Al Khaleej Center, Opposite Al Ain Center, Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai 
• Phone number: +971-4-387-5660 |+971-52-509-8736

COMMON ISSUES FACED BY DUBAI RESIDENTS WHEN APPLYING FOR SCHENGEN VISIT VISA FROM DUBAI

There are some common issues faced by UAE residents when applying for Schegen visit visa from the UAE.

• Inaccurate or incomplete documentation can often lead to visa rejection. Make a checklist to ensure you do not miss out on necessary documents. Providing extra documentation if you are unsure of something may be better than leaving out something important.
• Make sure your application form is filled out correctly. Providing incorrect details can also lead to rejection.
• Providing full itinerary can also be important outling which countries/cities you will travel to, planned mode of transport and accomodation details.
• Financial details are also a key part of your application. Make sure you provide the latest bank statement and it meets the minimum requirement as per your planned stay.

FAQs

What is the Schengen Visa fee in Dubai?

The visa fee is AED 380 for adults however, the prices may fluctuate as the fees are charged in Euros. Visit the official VFS website, ETIAS website and other official sources for fee price changes before applying for a visa.

CAN I MAKE A REFUND CLAIM FOR THE COST OF SCHENGEN VISA FROM DUBAI IF MY APPLICATION IS REJECTED?

No, you cannot make a claim for the cost of schengen visa from Dubai even if your visa application is rejected.

WHAT IS THE SCHENGEN 90/180 RULE?

Applicants are given a visa with a validity of 180 days. However, their duration of stay in the Schengen states can only be up to 90 days. Once the 90 days are over, you cannot legally stay in the country even there is time remaining in the 180 days.

HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION FROM DUBAI?

Schengen visa application from Dubai process time is usually 15 days. However, the duration can vary on a case to case basis. There is no right answer for the question of which is the fastest Schengen visa from Dubai.

WHAT ARE THE SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS FROM DUBAI REGARDING UAE RESIDENCY?

Residents must have proof of residency in the UAE and it must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended departure date from Schengen country as per Schengen visa requirements from Dubai.

HOW CAN I EXTEND MY SCHENGEN VISA?

Schengen visa can only be extended in case of force majeure or for
humanitarian reasons or for serious personal reasons which means it not possible for the individual to leave the territory of Member States. Visa is also extended if the individual has stayed less than 90 days in the Schengen area. Details regarding extension are present on the member states visa websites.

We hope that our guide to applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai helped you in understanding the visa process, document requirements and eligibility for Schengen visa. When planning to apply for Schengen Visa from Dubai, make sure you get your documents right. To increase your chances of acquiring a Schengen visit visa from Dubai, get your finances in order.

Remember, to apply Schengen visa from Dubai well in advance of your travel date. Because if you don’t get your visa in time, the cost of Schengen visa from Dubai is non-refundable. You will end up paying Schengen visa charges from Dubai without the purpose being served.

There are several locations that UAE residents can visit without a visa. The geographical location of Dubai makes it the perfect tourist destination for European tourists. 

There’s good news too if you wish to travel to the US from Abu Dhabi. Zayed International airport US immigration preclearance is a convienent solution to avoid long queue when travelling.

There are different tourist visas for Dubai that allow you to visit Dubai or the UAE. Similarly, UAE long term stay visas are essential for a long-term stay and work in Dubai. These visas allow you to work and stay in Dubai if you possess a particular skill or talent needed to find a suitable job.  

*Please note that the visa rules and regulations are subject to change without prior notice.