New Schengen Visa Rules: UAE residents should know what should be known before their next Europe. world News
TL; Dr.
- From June 18, 2025, UAE residents will have to complete
Schengen visa Online application before booking through an appointmentVfs global , - If you try to book without submitting the form, you will not get an appointment, the system will not let you move forward.
- This change only affects non-mirati residents.
Imirati passport holder Still get visa-free access to Schengen Zone.
If you live in the UAE and you are planning to travel to Europe, then there is a new rule that you have to follow while applying for a Schengen Visa.By June 18, 2025, the visa application process has changed. Now, you have to fill your entire application form online first, before you can book an appointment. All this occurs on the VFS Global Portal, which handles visa processing for most of the Schengen countries of the UAE.Prior to this rule, people could take a time slot and later resolve paperwork. That step-by-step process has gone. This is now a single, digital-first flow. If you leave the form, you cannot find a date, as simple. The goal is to reduce the appointment backlog, improve accuracy and make the system more efficient. But this also means that passengers need to be ready, or delay in risk.
What is this change?
If you are applying for a Schengen visa from UAE, then there is a new step that you cannot leave.By June 18, 2025, all applicants will have to complete the visa application form online on the VFS Global Portal before booking the appointment. Forms and appointment now run by hand.Before that, you can reserve a time slot and later upload your documents. No longer allowed.Now, until you have given your visa form online and submitted online, you will not even see the available appointment time. Everything is to be done at once.This update applies to non-mirati residents in UAE, who require visas for a trip to Europe. It is part of a change towards fast, more accurate processing, but it means you will need to prepare all your information.
Why change?
The update is part of a comprehensive effort to streamline the visa process. According to VFS Global, completing applicants helps:
- Reduce the errors back and forth
- Improvement in appointment availability
- Speed document processing
It also receives your basic information, such as personal details and travel plans, this process was first logged in, which helps to avoid issues later.Notice by VFS Global said, “All applicants will have to complete an online visa application on our appointment booking portal while determining the appointment time.”
Who is affected?
This new step is for non-UAE citizens living in UAE. Which includes exeets from India, Egypt, Philippines and other countries that require a Schengen VisaIf you are applying for a visa for tourism, business, medical reasons or family seizures, you are affected.If you keep a UAE passport, none of it applies. Amirati citizens still enjoy a visa-free journey in Schengen countries for 90 days.
Is it the same for every Schengen country?
The main rule is the same, but some countries can add extra steps. Once you submit your form and book your slot, some embassy like Germany or Switzerland, you can ask you to complete the final submission stages through your own portals.So before starting, it is smart to check the exact visa instructions for your destination country on the VFS Global or Embassy website.
Step by step: Now how to apply for a Schengen Visa
Here’s how to follow the new system:
- Vis to VFS Global Website: Go to vfsglobal.com and choose the country you are going or where you will spend the most time.
- Fill the online visa application form: You have to complete your entire Schengen visa form on the booking platform. Re -check every detail, name spelling, travel dates, passport number, etc.
- Submit the form and book your appointment: Only after submitting the form, you will be allowed to take a date and time for your visa appointment.
- Prepare your documents: On appointment day, bring all the necessary documents: Your passport, your full application, travel insurance, flight and hotel booking a printed copy, any other documents listed for your visa type
- Follow the embassy-specific instructions: Some countries may redirect you to your own visa portals (especially Germany and Switzerland). Follow those steps carefully.
Pro tips to avoid issues
- Apply early. Schengen appointments are booked quickly, especially before the holidays.
- Do not leave the form, the system will not allow you to book without it.
- Keep the documents organized. Incomplete files can delay your visa or lead to rejection.
- Bookmark the VFS Global Portal and check the country-specific updates.
Fasting
- 1. Can I still book an appointment first and fill the form later?
No. By June 18, 2025, you have to complete and submit the first online form before reaching the calendar to book your visa appointment.
- 2. Does rich citizens need to follow it?
No. UAE passport holders can travel to the Schengen area visa-free for 90 days.
- 3. Which countries have additional steps after VFS submission?
Countries such as Germany and Switzerland even after booking through VFS Global, you may need to finalize the process on your embassy sites. Always check the specific requirements again.
