What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.
How to Apply for a Visa to Enter Europe?
To apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe, you first need to figure out whether you need one or not depending on the purpose of your travel and nationality. If you do, then you have to put together your travel plan, how many days you plan to be in the zone, the countries you are going to visit (if more than one), the country where you are going to enter, and the country where you’re going to exit.
Who can apply for a Schengen Visa in UAE?
On the other hand, all those living in any of the seven emirates of the UAE, who do not hold a UAE passport, and do not belong to any of the Schengen visa-exempt categories, will need to obtain a visa.
Persons who can apply to get a Schengen Visa in UAE should belong to one of the categories below:
- UAE passport holders that have been refused visa-free entry to the Schengen area previously
- Foreigners living in UAE on a permanent or temporary residence permit, who:
are nationals of a country that has an agreement on a visa-free regime with Schengen, but have been refused visa-free entry to Europe
are nationals of any of the countries that do not have a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries
Steps to Get a Schengen Visa in UAE
WE WILL HELP YOU TO GET EMBASSY APPOINTMENT AND SCHENGEN VISA
There are a few simple steps to follow when applying for a short-stay Schengen visa in the United Arab Emirates:
Travel Documents and Entry Requirements for non-EU Nationals
You will have to present several documents at the Schengen port of entry, in order to be permitted to enter, if you are a non-EU/Schengen country national, regardless if you are a visa-exempt or not.
The documents you need to provide when entering the Schengen Area are as follows:
Valid Passport. Issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
Schengen Visa. If you are a national of one of the third countries in need of a visa.
EU/Schengen border officials may also ask for other information and documents such as sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, how long you intend to stay, round-trip airline ticket, the purpose of your entry, travel insurance, invitation letter, etc.
Please, make sure that the border officer gives you an entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.
Schengen Visa Application Requirements for UAE residents
The following documents are required when applying for a short-term Schengen visa in the United Arab Emirates:
- Application Form. It should be fully completed with correct and honest information. Print the form twice, and sign both copies at the end.
- Valid Passport. It should be no older than 10 years and with a validity of at least three more months beyond the date that the applicant is planning to leave the Schengen Zone
- Two photos – taken within the last three months according to the standards set by the Schengen states.
- Proof of residence permit in UAE. The residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area
- Travel Flight Itinerary. A document that proves you have reserved a flight ticket from UAE to the Schengen Zone and back, on the exact dates you are planning to enter and leave this area
- Cover letter. Please, explain why you wish to visit Europe, specifying the countries you wish to visit, the time you will remain there, and other details.
- Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Schengen. This could be a hotel booking, a rent agreement, or a letter of invitation by a host at whose house you will be staying.
- Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the Schengen. This can be one of the following:
Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship
- Europe Travel Insurance – A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency as illnesses, accidents, and even repatriation in case of death.
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