Why apply for a Schengen Visa?

Want to visit Europe? A Schengen Visa gives eligible non-EU nationals the opportunity to move freely through 27 European nations with just one visa. This visa provides an easy travel solution to visit multiple European countries for tourism, business, or family purposes.
 

• Global authorities granted more than 9.7 million Schengen visas during the year 2024.
• The visa allows people to stay for ninety days during any 180-day span.
• People with a single visa can visit twenty-seven European countries.
• The usual processing time for a standard visa application is fifteen business days.
• Non-European Union nationals who live in the United Arab Emirates are allowed to submit their applications.
   

*Want guidance to apply for Schengen Visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for end-to-end support with the process.
 

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa serves as a short-term permit for people to move freely across the Schengen Area which includes 27 European countries with eliminated internal border controls. This visa classification allows international individuals to visit European countries for business purposes and tourism as well as for family matters and transit while staying no longer than 90 days in a span of 180 days.
 

UAE citizens can visit Schengen countries without needing a visa for short trips. The residents of the UAE who possess non-EU passports need to complete a Schengen Visa application in advance.
 

List of Schengen Visa Countries

The Schengen Zone consist the following 27 countries:

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
Sweden	Switzerland	Croatia

 

Benefits of obtaining a Schengen visa

The benefits of Schengen Visa are given below.

• You can move between 27 European countries using a single visa.
• Travel through various cities and cultures without the requirement of extra documentation.
• This visa suits the needs of tourists and business travelers as well as families visiting the EU.
• Three types of visa entries include single entry and double entry options and multiple entries
• The travel experience and international mobility of the traveller will expand through visa usage
   

Types of Schengen Visa

The Schengen Visa includes various categories that define the allowed stay duration and permitted activities in Schengen Area countries. Each variation identifies particular travel opportunities that cover airport transits as well as short-term visits and extended national stays.

The popular types of Schengen visas are given below.

• Type A – Airport Transit Visa
• Type B – Transit Visa
• Type C – Short-Stay Visa (for tourism, business, or visiting family)
• Type D – Long-Stay National Visa (for work, study, or residency)
   

Type A Schengen Visa – Airport Transit Visa

The Type A Schengen Visa functions as an airport transit visa for passengers who need to transfer through the international transit area of Schengen airport facilities without entering the Schengen Area. This visa becomes necessary for travellers from specific countries who need to change flights at Schengen airport before reaching their non-Schengen destination.
 

Purpose:

• To transit through a Schengen airport without entering the country.
• For layovers or connecting international flights through Schengen zone airports.
   

Type B Schengen Visa – Transit Visa

The Type B Schengen Visa serves as a travel document for passengers who need to cross Schengen countries through land or sea toward destinations located outside the Schengen Zone. The historical background and practical aspects of this visa category need to be thoroughly understood because it has become largely irrelevant since the introduction of the Type C short-stay visa.
 

Purpose:

• To enable people to cross Schengen countries using land or sea travel as their route to a third country located outside the Schengen Zone.
• The visa allows short land-based travels that involve driving across Schengen states to get to an international destination outside the Schengen Zone.
• The visa duration does not exceed 5 days.
   

Type C Schengen Visa – Short-Stay Visa

The Schengen Area predominantly issues the Type C Visa to travellers who plan to stay in the region for up to 90 days within 180 days. The visa allows travellers to visit the Schengen Area for tourism and business purposes as well as family visits and short-term medical treatment and event participation. The visa is available as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry depending on your planned travel activities. The Schengen Area issues the Type C Visa mainly to travelers who need visa entry for 90 days in a 180-day period.
 

Purpose:

• Tourism and sightseeing
• Visiting family or friends
• Business trips, attend conferences, or participate in trade fairs
• Medical treatment
• Short-term study program
• Cultural or sporting events
   

Type D Schengen Visa – National Long-Stay Visa

Individual Schengen countries issue the Type D Schengen Visa as the National Long-Stay Visa to people planning stays which exceed 90 days. The visa enables students and workers and family members who want to join someone in a Schengen country and residents who plan to stay long term. The visa allows residents to stay in their designated Schengen country yet it does not permit free movement throughout the Schengen Area.
 

Purpose:

• Higher education or long-term study programs at universities and institutions.
• Employment or work under a valid contract or job offer in the destination country.
• Family reunification with a spouse, child, or parent legally residing in that country
• Research or academic exchange at recognized institutions.
• Medical treatment requiring long-term care.
• Residency or retirement in the Schengen country based on national eligibility rules.
   

Note: While it is a national visa, holders may travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided they meet all conditions.
 

Eligibility for a Schengen Visa

To qualify for a Schengen Visa you need to meet the following requirements:

• Your residence visa in UAE must be valid for three months beyond your planned travel date.
• You need to hold a passport issued by a country that requires a visa to enter the European Union.
• You must demonstrate strong connections to the UAE through your employment status family relationships or property ownership.
• You need to present evidence for both your travel motivation as well as your accommodation details and financial stability.
• Your insurance policy must cover a minimum of EUR 30,000 for travel protection.

Schengen Visa Requirements

Applicants for a Schengen Visa need to submit various documents for their visa application.

• The applicant's current passport must have been issued within the previous decade and remain valid for three months after the return date.
• A valid UAE residency visa is necessary for at least ninety days after the scheduled return date.
• The visa application form must be specifically completed for the main travel destination.
• The passport-size photo must adhere to embassy requirements.
• Applicants must present their travel itinerary which includes flight details and accommodation information.
• The visa application requires bank statements from the past three to six months.
• The submission should include either a letter from the employer or business evidence.
• The required travel insurance must be valid for every Schengen country you plan to visit.

Documents required for Schengen visa application

The documents required to apply for Schengen visa is given in the table below.

Document	Requirement
Passport	Valid for 3+ months beyond return date
UAE Residence Visa	Valid for at least 90 days after return
Visa Application Form	Filled and signed
Photograph	Recent, as per embassy specifications
Flight Itinerary	Confirmed return booking
Accommodation Proof	Hotel bookings or invitation letter
Financial Proof	Bank statements, salary slips, etc.
Insurance Certificate	Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage in all Schengen Area

 

How do you apply for a Schengen Visa?

The detailed procedure to apply for Schengen Visa is given in the table below.

Step 1: Determine the Schengen country you will visit the most or enter first.

Step 2: Schedule your meeting through the embassy or its visa service provider which includes VFS Global or BLS.

Step 3: For your visa application process you need to obtain the necessary documents.

Step 4: Submit your application at the designated centre to provide biometric data and pay the visa fee.

Step 5: Receive your Schengen Visa.
 

Schengen Visa Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time of Schengen Visa is given below.

Visa Type	Processing Time
Schengen Visa (Type C)	15 working days (average)
Airport Transit Visa	7–15 working days
Long-Stay Visa (Type D)	Up to 60 days

 

Schengen Visa Fees

The details of the fees for Schengen Visa are given in the table below.

Category	Fee (EUR/AED)
Adults	EUR 80
Children (6–12)	EUR 40
Children (under 6)	Free
VFS/BLS Service Fee	AED 80–120

 

Schengen Visa Application Processing Time

The application processing time for the different types of Schengen Visas are given in the table below,

Visa Type	Standard Processing Time
Schengen Visa (Type C)	7–15 working days
Airport Transit Visa	7–15 working days
Long-Stay Visa (Type D)	Up to 60 calendar days

 

How can Y‑Axis help you?

Y-Axis offers expert end-to-end guidance for UAE residents applying for a Schengen Visa. Our team ensures that your application is accurate, compliant, and submitted on time—improving your chances of a smooth visa approval. We make the process stress free with personalized support.

• Free eligibility check with Y-Axis Overseas Immigration Points Calculator.
• Complete document assistance, including personalized checklists and reviews.
• Visa application and form-filling assistance to avoid errors and rejections.
• End-to-end guidance until you receive your visa.