UAE Residents Face Schengen Visa Delays and Shorter Stays Amid Summer Demand. As the summer season ushers in a surge of travelers aiming to explore Europe, UAE residents are grappling with significant Schengen visa delays and unexpectedly short stays. This disruption comes amid heightened demand for European destinations, influenced by major events like Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics.
Visa Lottery Woes
Many UAE residents, despite providing all necessary documentation, have found themselves facing a “visa lottery,” where their travel plans are impacted by the inconsistency in visa validity. While some travelers are granted visas for extended periods, others receive visas with surprisingly short durations, leading to frustration and disrupted holiday plans.
UAE Residents Face Schengen Visa Delays and Shorter Stays Amid Summer Demand
The UAE has seen some residents experience an application lottery for Schengen visas while planning trips to Europe in the summer after securing short-term visas while family members and colleagues were permitted longer stays.
Frustration and Financial Strain
Siddarth Sivaprakash, a Dubai resident holding an Indian passport, shared his disappointment after receiving a 10-day Schengen visa for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June. Despite submitting comprehensive documentation, including bank statements and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his company, his visa only covered his travel itinerary, while his colleague received a two-year visa.
“It’s challenging to understand the decision-making process,” Mr. Sivaprakash lamented. “I invested time and money, only to be restricted to a 10-day stay.”
Holiday Plans in Limbo
Similarly, Sadiq Saleem, another Dubai resident with a Pakistani passport, had to cancel a planned European holiday with his parents after being issued an 11-day Schengen visa. The limited validity affected their ability to make necessary travel arrangements and adjustments, forcing them to miss out on reservations and flexibility.
NM, another Dubai expat, experienced a similar issue. While his wife and daughter were granted multiple-entry visas for six months, he received a single-entry visa for exactly 10 days. His frustration was compounded by the visa processing delays faced by Abhishek Nair, who waited nearly a month to receive a visa valid for just seven days, despite presenting two travel itineraries.
Visa Processing Delays and Rejections
DA, a Syrian passport holder residing in the UAE, faced a rejection of her Schengen visa application at the Spanish embassy. Although she has traveled extensively in the past, her application was declined, leading her to appeal and eventually receive a visa valid for only six days.
Sana Ahmed, a Pakistani passport holder with a long-term Dubai residence, struggled to obtain a longer duration for her Schengen visa, receiving only six months despite having a strong travel history and multiple planned holidays.
Roxy Kairuz, a South African passport holder in Dubai, noted that her recent Schengen visa through France was the first to exceed the trip duration, lasting six months. However, she remains concerned about the inconsistent validity periods across different applications.
VFS Global’s Role and EU Policy Updates
VFS Global, the agency responsible for facilitating Schengen visa applications in the UAE, has stated that it does not control the visa validity period. “VFS Global has no visibility into the decision-making process, timelines, or outcomes of decisions,” explained Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head of VFS Global.
In response to visa challenges, the European Union recently announced that Indian citizens could now receive long-term, multi-entry visas valid for five years after demonstrating lawful use of two previous visas within the last three years.
Financial Impact and Travel Advice
A report by SchengenVisaInfo revealed that UAE applicants incurred a loss of €4.19 million (Dh16.83 million) in 2023 due to rejected visa applications, spending a total of €18.71 million (Dh75.02 million) on visa fees.
To navigate the current challenges, travelers are advised to plan their trips well in advance. Rishal Mohammed, executive director of TravelShop in Dubai, emphasized the importance of early planning due to high demand. “For summer travel, it’s essential to plan at least three to four months in advance. Currently, dates are opening up for late August, September, and October, which can be ideal for those looking to travel during the UAE National Day holidays or the winter break.”
Conclusion
As the summer season continues and demand for European travel remains high, UAE residents are encountering difficulties with Schengen visa applications. The inconsistency in visa validity and processing delays are causing significant inconvenience and financial strain. Early planning and awareness of current visa policies are crucial for travelers aiming to secure their European adventures without complications.
