The Ins and Outs (and Maybe a Little Outpatience) of Getting a Schengen Visa from Dubai: A Guide for the Intrepid Traveler (or Just Someone Who Wants to See Europe Without Getting Stalled in the UAE)
So, you've booked your dream trip to Europe: land of vino, colosseum selfies, and enough chocolate to make Willy Wonka jealous. But before you can unleash your inner Audrey Hepburn and conquer those cobblestone streets, there's a little hurdle called the Schengen Visa. Fear not, fellow adventurer! This guide will be your trusty compass (or maybe more like a stress ball) as you navigate the sometimes murky waters of visa applications.
First things first: How long does this whole visa thing take?
Well, buckle up buttercup, because the answer is... it depends. Generally, you're looking at a minimum of 15 days for the embassy to process your application after they've received it. But hold on, that's not the whole story. Right now, processing times in Dubai can stretch up to a whopping 75 days. Yeah, that's enough time to learn basic Italian for your gondola ride and perfect your flamenco footwork for Spain.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
How Long To Get A Schengen Visa From Dubai |
Why the wait?
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
There are a few reasons. Embassies have to sift through a mountain of applications, and sometimes they might need extra info from you, which can add to the delay. Also, remember all those tourists who delayed their trips during the pandemic? Yeah, they're all trying to get to Europe now, so there's a bit of a backlog.
Here's how to avoid becoming a UAE-based visa hermit:
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
- Plan ahead: Don't wait until the week before your trip to apply. The earlier you get your application in, the better chance you have of getting approved before your flight takes off.
- Be meticulous: Double (and maybe triple) check all your documents to make sure everything is filled out correctly and that you have all the required paperwork. A missing bank statement can be the travel equivalent of a flat tire – a major inconvenience.
- Apply to the right embassy: You need to apply to the embassy of the country you'll be spending the most time in. Don't try to be sneaky and apply to a different country because you think it'll be faster – they'll see right through you (and it might actually delay your application further).
How To FAQs:
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
- How to avoid visa application stress? Easy, focus on all the amazing things you'll do in Europe instead! Picture yourself sipping espresso in a Parisian cafe, not stressing about paperwork.
- How to find out which documents you need? The embassy website of the country you're applying to will have a list of required documents.
- How much does a Schengen visa cost? Fees can vary depending on the embassy, but it's usually around €60 (around 250 AED).
- How to check on the status of your application? Most embassies allow you to track your application online.
- How to deal with jet lag after finally getting your visa and flying to Europe? Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
So, there you have it! With a little planning and patience, you'll be waltzing through Europe in no time. Now get out there and explore!
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.