Are you planning a trip to Europe?? You would have stumbled across the word “Schengen” at some point during your research. But what is the Schengen Area, exactly? When do you need a Schengen visa from Dubai to visit Europe and how do you apply?
Schengen is a region in Europe comprising 27 countries, where citizens and visitors can move freely without border controls.
What Is a Schengen Visa and what is its mode of operation?
A Schengen visa, also known as a Europe visa, allows the eligible individual to travel without any hassle within the 26 participating Schengen Area countries. This visa lets you visit and explore many countries in Europe with one visa and thus enables travelling between these countries with ease and you can enjoy your trip without any extra hurdles.
A Schengen visa allows anyone to stay in any Schengen country for up to 90 days within six months.
Which are the Schengen countries?
The Schengen area consists of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden are countries from the Schengen Zone.
Required documents for the Schengen Visa for UAE Citizens
To get a Schengen visa, all visa applicants must upload the following pre-requisite documents:
- Valid passport – Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, be valid for more than 3 months, and have at least two blank pages.
- Digital Photo – You need to present two passport-sized pictures that meet the requirements of the visa regulations.
- Proof of financial means – The Schengen authorities ask you to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay and travel around the region.
- Travel medical insurance – Buy travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for illness, COVID-19, or accidents.
- Other Information – You must present a round-trip airline ticket and proof of accommodation.
- A valid email address – This is the address that will be used to send your travel documents.
What are the different types of Schengen visas?
The Schengen visa is only valid for tourism. If you are interested in staying in a country in the Schengen Zone for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit from the immigration authorities in that country
When applying for a tourist visa, you may need to consider which type best suits your travel needs. The following are some of the types of visas:
The Schengen visa, depending on the purpose of travel, manifests in several distinct types:
Type A – Transit Visa for Airport Transit:
- Purpose: Facilitates transit through Schengen airports
- Notable Feature: Allows only airport transit
Type B – Transit Visa Valid for 5 Days:
- Purpose: Permits a short-term transit stay
- Notable Feature: Valid for a maximum of 5 days
Type C – Short Stay Visa:
- Purpose: Intended for short stays in Schengen Area countries
Subtypes:
- Single Entry: Grants one entry; no re-entry post-exit
- Double Entry: Allows two entries; re-entry is prohibited after the second exit.
- Multiple Entry Permits unlimited entries within 90 days over six months
Limited Territorial Validity Visa:
Type D – National Visa:
- Purpose: Issued for study, stay, or work in a Schengen Area country
Subtypes:
- Single-Entry: For those not requiring a stay beyond a specific period
Multiple-Entry: Allows repeated re-entries and is granted in specific cases:
- Study (up to one year, extendable)
- Pedagogical work, research, and their immediate family members.
- Professionals engaging in specific activities
- Emergency cases (e.g., medical conditions) for a limited period
Conclusion
Getting a Schengen Visa involves many challenges, hence to overcome it, it is beneficial to hire any visa services in Dubai.
