What is a Schengen visa and how do UAE residents apply?

Aviation data tracker OAG reports that airlines deployed 23.68 million seats in Western Europe, up 36 percent from a year earlier. Amid this massive “travel bounce,” a new challenge has emerged: flight disruptions, in part because of ground handling issues.

There are some important nuances and key updates to be aware of. Below is information on Schengen visa application for UAE residents.

This is a small town in the east of Luxembourg, about 35 kilometers from Luxembourg City by car – at the junction of the three countries of Luxembourg, Germany and France. This small place (population: 540) hosted the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985 and 1990.

It is a product of this agreement, known as the Schengen Implementation Convention. The landmark deal abolished many of the EU’s internal borders – allowing free movement between signatories. The convention revolutionized the way people travel in Europe.

When Luxembourg assumed the presidency of the European Economic Community (EEC) on July 14, 1985, it chose Schengen as its symbolism: it intersects with France, Germany and Luxembourg (members of the “Benelux”). Two other countries signed – Belgium and the Netherlands.

The signatories representing the five declarations travelled along the middle of the Moselle on the cruise ship MS Princesse Marie-Astrid, anchored at the three-point border.

In the early 1980s, towards the end of the “Cold War”, the idea of ​​borderless travel divided members of the EEC (the European Union’s predecessor, the European Union).

Much has changed since then, with many countries joining the treaty.

From the original five (5) countries, the Schengen Area now includes 26 member states – an area of ​​over 4.31 million square kilometers representing approximately 420 million inhabitants.

The borders of the Schengen area and the European Union (EU) do not overlap.

Of the 26 Schengen countries, 22 are EU member states, while 4 – Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland – are not.

On the other hand, the EU is an economic and political union of 28 countries (Croatia is the latest member to join the EU). EU member states abolished internal visas and voluntarily handed over some powers to the European Parliament and Council of the European Union (CEU).

Foreign citizens with Schengen visas can also travel to Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Croatia, Montenegro – although they are not members of the Schengen Convention.

According to travel website Schengen visa information, Croatia will officially become a member of the Schengen area in 2023.

Yes. The Schengen area also includes Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands (in the Atlantic Ocean) as well as San Marino, the Vatican, Monaco and Andorra – all of which adhere to the Schengen Agreement, although they are not part of Schengen practice. Schengen visa holders can visit these states or territories.

Important note: Travellers without a Schengen visa cannot enter the Schengen area from the countries listed above (Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands, San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco and Andorra).

Example: Foreign tourists get a single entry Schengen visa. He plans to visit Spain and Monaco before continuing on to France. However, when leaving the Schengen area (Spain in this case), the single entry visa is no longer valid. In order to enter France, tourists must apply for a Schengen visa again.

The Schengen Agreement is also invalid in some Schengen countries – Greenland, Faroe Islands, Svalbard, Bear Island, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin.

Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Montenegro are also planned to be part of the Schengen area. It remains uncertain when these countries will decide to join the region.

However, foreign citizens can travel to Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Montenegro and Croatia with a Schengen visa.

In the past, travelers from the UAE had to wait 3-4 months for a Schengen visa appointment. By September, the time required for Schengen visa appointments is expected to be significantly reduced.

The three-month advance period for Schengen visa applications was recommended in 2019 by Vinay Malhotra of VFS Global, which assists multiple Schengen countries with visa applications.

This is not a rule. Instead, it’s a rule of thumb for travelers planning a trip to the Schengen area during peak tourist season – for their own convenience.

Before the epidemic and in 2020, the Schengen visa application rules were also tightened, and the application cost increase for some categories.

Given the high volume of applicants, the wait time for an appointment with service provider VFS Global was three to four weeks, according to an official.

Approval of visa applications submitted to VFS Global Centres is entirely at the discretion of the client governments it serves.

Appointment times are also controlled and determined by the embassy or consulate of the Schengen countries.

Furthermore, the processing time and the decision to issue visas are also the sole prerogative of the diplomatic corps.

According to VFS Global, this usually takes a few days and in some cases (excluding any public holidays) can take as long as 15 to 30 working days. But applicants reported that their visa applications were approved in as little as 20 days.

Visa applications for leisure travel – particularly family visas – are expected to decline significantly through September as schools reopen, but business travel will remain strong.

For Schengen visas, VFS Global Centres in the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) represent and accept applications from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden , Switzerland, Latvia and the Netherlands.

For hassle-free travel, here are the top 5 tips for a hassle-free application:

When filling out the visa application form, include all the requested information in the specified format as per their travel document. Incorrect or missing details will result in incorrect details for your visa.

There is a custom list specific to destinations on the VFS Global information page. Some countries will require specific documents, while others may have fewer requirements. When preparing your visa application, it is best to cover all the bases.

3. Proof of bank statement:

Certain Schengen countries require applicants to submit duly certified bank statements. A certified bank statement must be submitted to reflect your travel financial ability and your credit status.

4. Don’t cut too thin:

The turnaround time for processing visa applications varies from country to country, which in turn varies by travel season. Don’t leave your visa application until the last minute.

Most countries accept applications up to 90 days before travel. Applying for a visa in advance allows enough time to deal with any unforeseen delays.

When necessary, the sponsor’s details can help the officer understand the applicant’s support system in the country of travel. These details are critical to visa decisions. Make sure all details are in order and submit relevant sponsorship documents.

[Note: This is a general guide; it is best to check with the embassy or consulate of a Schengen-visa member country for the latest entry rules].