Some UAE travellers are experiencing extended wait times for Schengen visas due to a significant increase in applications fuelled by high demand, industry experts told Arabian Business.
An online survey of 419 respondents revealed that 65 percent (273) failed to secure a Schengen visa appointment this summer, according to a report by SchengenVisaInfo.com. Additionally, 16.9 percent (73) reported waiting for an appointment, while 17.8 percent (75) managed to secure one.
Moreover, another report by SchengenVisaInfo.com revealed that in 2023, UAE residents spent €18.71 million (AED75.02 million) on visa fees. Rejected applications resulted in a loss of €4.19 million (AED16.83 million).
UAE travellers face Schengen Visa delays amid surge in demand
“Demand for Schengen visas has grown exponentially in the last two years, with 2023 seeing a 25 percent increase in volumes over 2022. While summer and winter have been the traditional travel periods, the past two years have seen travel demand remain consistent year-round. Of course, holiday periods like school vacations and Eid breaks continue to see slightly higher demand than the rest of the year,” Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head, VFS Global told Arabian Business.
Echoing the sentiment, Rashida Zahid, VP of Operations at musafir.com, attributed the surge to several factors.
“The post-pandemic travel boom has seen a surge in applications, with events like the Euro 2024 and Paris Olympics attracting large number of tourists. Expanding flight options to diverse European cities has fueled the UAE’s travel boom to Europe by enhancing connectivity. The Schengen visa application window’s has been changed from 3 months to 6 months, offering more flexibility for the tourists however, it limits last-minute European travel opportunities for UAE residents,” she said.
Due to this, both Billimoria and Zahid advised travellers to apply for Schengen Visas six months ahead of the travel date to ensure no delays.
Both experts also revealed that as of June 11, the cost for applying for a Schengen Visa has been increased by the European commission.
For adults, the Schengen Visa fee costs EUR80 to EUR90, whereas for children it costs about EUR40 to EUR45.
What can UAE travellers do to expedite the process?
Schengen Visas processes can range between 15 to 30 days, musafir.com’s Zahid said, adding that it varies for different countries, as it depends on the type of visa and the duration of stay.
“There’s no guaranteed way to expedite a Schengen Visa application. However, submitting complete and accurate documentation and applying well in advance of your trip can potentially improve your chances of a quicker processing time,” she said.
VFS Global’s Billimoria added that the duration of visa processing is determined exclusively by the relevant government authorities. Official timelines are published on their respective websites. However, the actual processing period may extend beyond these estimates, varying based on the specific visa type requested and the completeness of the application documentation provided, she said.
“The way flights, hotels and itineraries are planned in advance, visas need to be given as much credence. We urge travellers to visit our website or the website of the destination country, understand the required category, documents and rules, to prepare their applications. Appointments are released and reflect in real time on our website, and are available at no additional charge.
“We also urge travellers to beware of fraudulent third-party entities posing as VFS Global staff or partners, who offer appointments or assured visas at a charge. Appointments, processing timelines and decisions are the sole prerogative of the respective client governments,” Billimoria concluded.
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