Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on UAE citizens who plan to travel to Europe to access and follow the tips and travel advisories listed on the citizens’ affairs page on the ministry’s official website, in light of the impending official announcement on the exemption of the Schengen visa for UAE citizens this month.
The awareness campaign is in line with the ministry’s duties to facilitate travel arrangements for citizens and protect them from any obstacles they may encounter while abroad.
Rashid Ali Al Daheri, Director of Citizens’ Affairs at the ministry, said that he is proud of this achievement, which came as a result of the efforts of the ministry, state missions abroad, and other authorities.
The exemption will allow Emiratis easy access and travel to and around 34 European countries which make up the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the Vatican, Andorra, San Marino and Monaco.
Al Daheri pointed out that the Schengen visa allows the holder a total stay of six months per year, with a maximum stay of 90 consecutive or interrupted days. He said that the holder cannot stay for a period that exceeds 90 consecutive days in Schengen countries, and if they wish to return, they have to spend 90 days outside Schengen countries. He added that in cases in which a citizen travels for treatment, the holder must coordinate with the UAE mission in case they exceed their stay.
Al Daheri stressed the importance of citizens registering in the ministry’s Tawajudi service on the ministry’s website, which allows the ministry to communicate with citizens in cases of emergency or crises during their travels. He said that citizens can call 00971-600599991 in cases of emergency in countries which do not have UAE missions.
