No more appointments: UAE residents can apply for Schengen visas online

No more appointments: UAE residents can apply for Schengen visas online

Travelling to 27 EU countries likely to get hassle-free, and residents will not have to submit passports to agencies

By Web Desk Published: Thu 30 Mar 2023, 1:00 PM Last updated: Thu 30 Mar 2023, 1:57 PM

UAE residents wishing to travel to Schengen countries would not have to wait for appointments, stand in a queue or submit their passports to process their visas as the EU moves a step closer to digitalise the permit procedure.

The EU member states' ambassadors on Wednesday agreed the Council's negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitalise the visa procedure. It introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa sticker with a digital visa. It aims to make the visa application procedure more efficient and to improve the security of the Schengen area.

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Swedish Minister for Migration, said, "A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travellers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer. Online applications will reduce the number of trips to the consulate for travellers and make the process smoother for national administrations. At the same time, the digital visa will put an end to the risk of