Traveling to Europe during the summer holidays has become a popular tradition for UAE residents, who seek to escape the intense heat and revel in the pleasant weather, long daylight hours, and vibrant cultures of European countries.
However, the high demand for Schengen visas during this peak travel season has created challenges due to limited availability of appointment slots. Travel agents are urging residents to apply for their visas promptly to avoid travel disruptions and secure their summer getaways in Europe.
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, highlighted the current situation: “Appointment slots for Schengen visas are already limited. Countries like the Czech Republic, Austria, and Sweden have available appointments for April, but France and Spain have no open slots at the moment.”
He added, “We expect appointments for these countries to open in batches by May or June, allowing travelers to plan their trips for July and August.”
The processing time for a Schengen visa typically ranges from one to three weeks, making it crucial for travelers to book appointments well in advance. Once appointments are confirmed, travelers must visit visa centers, like VFS, to submit their documents.
For some countries like Poland, travelers need to submit their documents directly at the embassy, including essential paperwork such as a company No Objection Certificate (NoC), bank statements, and insurance details.
“Biometrics will also be taken, and the passport will be submitted for processing at the embassy,” Subair explained.
Mir Wasim Raja, manager at Galadari International Travel Services, advised travelers to apply early and monitor available slots. “Slots are limited in April and May, and the demand for Schengen visas is very high, especially for countries like France, Spain, and the Netherlands,” he noted.
“People usually travel for about one to two weeks during the summer, and booking now is the best way to ensure they get their visas in time,” Raja added.
In addition to early applications, travel agents recommend ensuring that travel documents are valid. Subair emphasized, “Apart from having other travel documents, UAE visas must be valid for at least three months and passports for at least six months when returning to the UAE from a Schengen country.”
