Foreigners in the UAE requiring the Schengen Visa have been warned about fraudulent agencies, according to a report by SchengenVisaInfo.com.
The warning comes as some agencies falsely claim to be VFS Global staff or partners, offering visa appointments and guarantees in exchange for fees.
“Appointments are released and reflected in real-time on our website and are available at no additional charge,” a VFS Global spokesperson said.
Schengen visa appointments in the UAE is challenging, shows data
VFS Global advises applicants to avoid intermediaries and notes that the only required payment is the visa processing fee.
The company urges travellers to apply well in advance, particularly during summer months when demand is high. Applications can be submitted up to six months before the intended travel date.
Recent data shows that securing Schengen visa appointments in the UAE is challenging. A survey of 419 respondents revealed 65 percent were unable to book appointments for this summer.
Unlike UAE nationals, many foreign residents, particularly from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, must obtain visas for a visit to the Schengen Area.
In 2023, foreigners in the UAE submitted 233,932 Schengen visa applications. Of these, 175,605 were approved and 52,485 were rejected.
Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands received the most applications from UAE-based foreign residents last year.
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