Schengen Visa Application Procedure in Dubai

So I am going to have my holiday in Europe on September and I have already applied for my visa as early as now (because I’m an OC). I’m going to Greece once again so I was really ecstatic when I found out that VFS in Wafi City is already processing visas as well for Greece. I don’t have to go to Abu Dhabi anymore to apply for my Greece Schengen visa. YAY!!!!

Schengen Visa Application

A Schengen visa is a document that you require if you wish to travel to any countries which is part of this agreement. Once you have this, you may enter the Schengen zone and visit as much countries you want within the validity of your visa. The duration of your total stay in Schengen countries shall not exceed 90 days in a period of 6 months, starting from the date of first entry. The Schengen countries are as follows:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

In case you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you have to apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy/Consulate of the country which is either one of the below:

- your main destination (the Schengen country where you will spend the longest time)
- first point of entry if you are spending the same amount of days in several Schengen countries

So the first step to do is to basically have your itinerary in mind and decide which embassy you’ll be applying for your visa. Since I am only going to Greece, I have applied for a Greek Schengen visa.

Second step is to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, they only accept online appointments these days and will no longer accept walk-ins. Once you’ve done so, you may proceed on preparing the supporting documents needed for your visa application. I prefer scheduling an appointment first before preparing the documents since the earlier schedule you get, the better. It means you’ll have more time for the visa application process itself.

Documents required for Schengen Visa Applications for Tourism purposes:

1. Completed application form.

2. Original Passport and photocopy of the passport, must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area, issued within the previous 10 years and containing at least 2 consecutive blank pages.

3. Residence visa (original and photocopy), must be valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area.

4. Photocopies of your previous Schengen visas (if any).

5. One recent passport photo with white background.

6. Travel medical insurance. Covering the entire period of intended stay, valid for all Schengen States, covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgency medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during your stay (min. coverage €30000). Holiday Guard or RSA Travel insurance usually covers the Schengen visa requirements.

7. Confirmed flight tickets.

8. Proof of financial means, bank statements and payslip.

9. Employment certificate indicating your date of joining, current position and monthly salary.

10. Accommodation reservation.

You may proceed to VFS in Wafi Mall once your appointment date arrives. I went there on the 23rd of July which is actually the peak season to apply for a Schengen visa. The wait during this time is quite unbearable so make sure that you’re ready to spend at least an hour to finish with your appointment. The VFS Global staff will basically check if your requirements are all in order and they will also get your biometrics at the same time (fingerprints and photo). Once done, they will give you a receipt attached to one of your passport copies which you must keep with you will need this when you collect your passport.

Visa Fees:
AED300 for the Visa processing
AED100 for VFS Service fee
AED5 for VFS SMS service
AED30 for VFS courier service

I highly recommend for you to pay for the SMS service so you’ll be able to keep track of what’s happening with your application. For Greece visa, the courier service is not yet available. So I had to go back there to collect my passport with the visa.

My visa was released on the 30th of July, 7 days after my application. They normally advise that it will take about 14 working days for the visa to be released though.

Greece here I come!!!! Yippppeeeeee!!!! But not until September.