UAE residents are eager to travel to Europe, as evidenced by the high number of Schengen visa applications submitted in 2023. Unfortunately, a substantial amount of money, around Dh16.8 million, was reportedly wasted on rejected applications. The rejection rate for visa applications from the UAE was 22.44 per cent, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
The cost of applying for a Schengen visa was nearly Dh320, with additional service fees varying by region. However, as of June 11, 2024, the European Commission implemented a 12 per cent increase in the cost of Schengen visas. Despite the expenses, UAE residents filed a total of 233,932 visa applications in 2023, spending a total of Dh74.9 million on the application process.
Germany emerged as the most popular destination for expats from the UAE, with 26,024 visa applications submitted in 2023. However, it also had the highest number of rejections, with 6,283 visa applications turned down. On the other hand, Poland had the highest approval rate for visa applications from the UAE, making it the easiest Schengen country to obtain a visa for.
Spain granted the most Schengen visas to UAE residents in 2023, with an approval rate of 80.09 per cent. Overall, UAE residents were granted a total of 177,213 Schengen visas last year. Despite the challenges and expenses, the desire to travel to Europe remains strong among UAE residents, with a significant increase in visa applications compared to the previous year.
