How To Get Schengen Visa In Time for Long UAE Holidays
Who doesn’t like a good break from your daily routines?! Apparently, residents of the UAE are in for a treat in the year 2023. According to the official list of holidays, there are 4 long weekends to be expected this year. The information is still to be confirmed at a later stage, as the dates depend on the moon-sightings. But for now, the upcoming holidays lineup looks like this:
- Eid Al Fitr: As per the Hijri calendar, the dates are from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Based on astronomical calculations, this should be from Thursday, April 20, till Sunday, April 23.
- Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: The longest of all is likely to be from Tuesday, June 27, to Friday, June 30. In this case, those with Saturday-Sunday off get a six-day weekend.
- Hijri New Year: July 21, Friday. A three-day weekend for those with Saturday-Sunday off.
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: September 29, Friday, too. That should be another three-day weekend.
And even though the above-mentioned dates still seem like being far in the future, different travel services in the UAE report a surge in demand for tickets and visas, as the residents start working out their travel plans. Queues for visa application and processing are building up in a lot of official missions, Schengen countries’ consulates, and embassies being those most affected. Currently, it may take several months for the Schengen visa to be ready. And with the growing number of applicants, the wait time statistics are going to climb as well.
About the Schengen Area
From the stunning architecture of France and the breathtaking fjords in Norway to the delicious cuisine in Italy and the beautiful beaches of Spain, the Schengen region has it all – culture, history, natural beauty.
The Schengen Zone is the largest free travel area in the world. It includes 27 countries in Europe, and the Schengen visa allows free movement within those participating states without the need for additional visas or border checks for the duration of up to 90 days per stay for tourism or business purposes.
Best practices when applying for Schengen visa
To apply for the visa, UAE residents must provide a fully completed application form, a valid passport, two photos, and proof of their residence permit in the UAE, which should be valid for at least three months after their intended departure date. In addition to these documents, UAE residents must also provide evidence of a reserved flight ticket, proof of accommodation in the Schengen Area, proof of adequate finances, and proof of EU travel insurance.
Taking into consideration that the application process now takes even longer than usual, it is a good idea to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates. Moreover, it is important to carefully review the visa requirements for each country you plan to visit, as they may have different conditions for allowing entry.
Applying through a prominent service provider, like The Visa Services, can be a more efficient and reliable option compared to applying independently. Our company offers expertise and assistance in navigating the application process, ensuring that all necessary documents and information are provided accurately and on time. This can help to avoid delays or rejections due to incomplete or incorrect information. Additionally, we provide support and guidance throughout the entire visa acquisition process, including scheduling appointments, tracking application progress, and answering any questions or concerns. And with our priority appointment service, you can have your Schengen visa within just 2 weeks. Get in touch with us to know more about our streamlined and stress-free process of obtaining the visa to Europe.
