UAE residents who have applied for a Schengen visa for travelling to the EU “may have to wait another month,” for an appointment the Schengen Visa Info reported on Monday, due to increasing demand.
The report said that data has shown that there are “barely any available appointments left for February even though the processing time in different embassies and consulates has decreased.”
The report further added that these delays have caused problems for UAE residents who need an EU visa “as they have been unable to finalise their holidays for the Eid breaks“.
Moreover, travel agencies in the UAE have reportedly said that they receive about 20 requests per week and have also noted that it takes “around a month for Schengen visa applications to be processed.”
Schengen visa applications
On Monday, Arabian Business also reported that the European Union (EU) has approved a new strategy to move the physical Schengen visa applications and stickers to a digital system, according to a report by Schengen Visa Info.
According to the Parliament of the EU, the report on the digitalisation of visa procedures in the Schengen area was adopted with 34 votes in favour, five against, and 20 abstentions.
The approval of the new digital visa process follows the EU parliament’s efforts to “speed up the process, reduce the efforts and costs required to make an application,” thus promoting security.
All UAE residents who do not hold a UAE passport as well as those who are not part of the Schengen visa-exempt categories, must have a Schengen visa when travelling to the EU.
The EU visa, which is a short-stay visa, permits holders to travel to the member states of the Schengen area, for up to 90 days for tourism.
UAE residents applying for an EU visa must submit a fully completed application form, their valid passport, two photos, and proof of residence permits in UAE, which must be valid for at least another three months after the intended date of departure for the area, the report said.
In addition, UAE residents must also submit proof that they have reserved a flight ticket, proof that they have secured a place to stay in Schengen, proof of sufficient financial means, and proof of having purchased EU travel insurance, while applying for a Schengen visa.
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