There are no visa appointment slots available to foreign residents in the UAE to apply for a Schengen visa in July or August in order to enter the EU.
Travel agents have revealed that all appointments for Schengen visas have been fully booked until the end of August.
No slots
While some slots might open up here and there occasionally, the travel agents asserted that most people who are planning on visiting the bloc will have to wait until early September.
That is when new Schengen visa slots will become available. The fact that all appointments are fully booked shows that UAE residents are showing considerably high interest in visiting the EU.
According to reports, foreign residents of the UAE usually travel during the summer vacation period, such as July and August, and for Eid Al Adha.
But, now that there are no Schengen visa slots available until the start of September, most people planning on traveling to the area will not be able to do so during summer vacation.
People who do manage to book an appointment for early September should know that it takes at least two weeks for visa processing. Thus, they should plan accordingly.
Ahead of time
Considering the high demand for Schengen Visa, VFS Global has said that it is best for UAE’s foreign residents to apply for it ahead of time.
Monaz Billimoria, the Regional Head of UAE VFS Global, said that travelers should submit their applications as soon as they have clear travel plans in place.
The Regional Head further clarified that it is possible to make Schengen visa applications at least six months before the intended date on which people plan on traveling.
The numbers
It should be noted that those who hold a UAE passport do not require a visa to enter the EU. But, the same is not applicable to foreigners.
People who do not have UAE citizenship, or are citizens of a country without a visa liberation agreement with the EU have to obtain a visa first.
In 2023, the total number of Schengen visa applications submitted by foreign UAE residents were 233,932.
However, not all visa applications were granted. A Schengen visa was granted to 175,601 applications, while 52,485 visa applications were turned down.
Foreign UAE residents submitted Schengen visa applications to different Schengen member states, with three of them receiving the highest number.
The most Schengen visa applications from UAE foreign residents in 2023 were made to Germany. It received a total of 26,024 applications.
The second member state to receive a high number of applications was Spain, which received a total of 26,023 applications for a Schengen Visa.
The third member state to receive a high number of Schengen visa applications was the Netherlands, which got a total of 25,421 applications.
