Can Indians apply for Schengen Visa in Dubai ?

01What is a Schengen Visa ?

If you want to travel to any Schengen country for tourism or business, you must apply for the Schengen visa. The short-term visa enables you to stay in the Schengen countries for up to 90 days. The Schengen area consists of 27 member countries, namely :

02 Can Indians Apply for Schengen Visa in Dubai ?

UAE nationals with a valid passport can travel to the Schengen area visa-free and stay for up to 90 days in 180 days. However, individuals residing in the UAE and who do not hold a UAE passport will have to obtain a visa before they visit the Schengen countries.

Indians residing in the UAE or tourists seeking to visit the Schengen countries must apply for visa to be allowed entry into the area.

UAE residents must apply for the Schengen visa if they :

• Have been previously denied visa-free entry to the Schengen zone
• Are foreigners with a temporary or permanent residence permit and are citizens of a country with no visa-free agreement with the Schengen countries
• Are nationals of a country with a visa-free agreement with Schengen but has visa-free entry to Europe

03Requirements for Indians to Apply for the Schengen Visa in Dubai

Below are the documents Indian nationals must provide to apply for the Schengen visa in Dubai :

• A fully filled application form. Make sure the information is truthful and correct
• A valid passport not older than ten years and valid for at least three months after the intended departure date from the Schengen area
• two recent passport-sized photographs (within three months)
• Proof of flight and return tickets
• Your itinerary in the Schengen countries
• A Europe travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. The insurance covers any medical emergencies like illness, accidents, and repatriation in case of death
• Proof of accommodation like a hotel reservation, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation by a host
• Proof of finance, such as a bank account statement not older than three months, a sponsorship letter confirming that the sponsor will be supporting you financially, or a combination of both

You may be required to provide additional documents if you are a minor or depending on your employment status.

04How Indians Apply for Schengen Visa from Dubai

Below is the process of Schengen visa application for Indians in Dubai :

1. To begin, take all the required documents to the Arooha offices in Dubai
2. Our consultant will do a preliminary examination of the documents and advice you on the ideal visa type depending on the purpose of the travel.
3. After that, make payments for consultation and the visa application fee
4. The consultant will fill out your application and double-check the documentation
5. You will be given an appointment date at the embassy for application submission
6. Visa processing begins, and you will be notified when the visa is ready for stamping

05What is The Cost of a Schengen Visa from Dubai ?

Schengen visa applicants, including Indians in the UAE, are charged a non-refundable visa application fee. Adults are charged 340 AED, approximately 7597 INR, and children aged 6-12 are charged 170 AED, around 3798 INR.

Visa application is free of charge for children under the age of 6, holders of diplomatic and service passports, and a family member of an EU/EEA national.

You will be invoiced an additional service fee if you apply for a visa through a visa consultancy. Contact your selected visa agency for the exact charges for a Schengen visa.

06The European Union to Introduce ETIAS for UAE Residents

UAE passport holders and other nationals that can travel to the Schengen area visa-free will be required to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) as of November 2023. ETIAS is a form of electronic travel authorization that keeps track of travelers from countries that enter the Schengen zone visa-free.

ETIAS's main objective is to strengthen European security and determine whether a nation is permitted to enter the Schengen area. The regulation is set to be fully operational by the end of June 2024, so travelers will have to apply for the ETIAS before traveling to the Schengen.

To apply for the ETIAS, you only need a biometric passport, a debit or credit card, and an email address. You will then fill out a simple online ETIAS application form with details such as your name, date of birth, address, and information about your travel and security questions. The ETIAS travel authorization allows short-term visits of up to 90 days and can be utilized for three years or until your passport expires.