Applying for Schengen visa? Top 5 mistakes UAE travellers make while applying and how to fix them

Dubai: Summer is peak travel time, but for many, holiday dreams are dashed by visa rejections. Data reveals that UAE nationals alone incurred losses of Dh21.7 million last year due to unsuccessful Schengen visa applications.

Globally, the cost of rejected Schengen visas reached a staggering €145 million in 2024. This represents an 11 per cent increase in expenses, with an extra €14.3 million spent on applications that were ultimately turned down compared to the previous year.

To calculate these figures, Schengenvisainfo used an average Schengen visa application fee of €85 for 2024. This takes into account the fee increase from €80 in the first half of the year to €90 in the second half.

Out of over 11.7 million applications, costing an estimated average of €85, the EU has cashed a total of €995,921,455. That is 20.5 per cent more than the €826 million they received in 2023.

Two reasons could impact this surge – one being the hike in visa prices to €90, and the second one being the increase in visa applications. As mentioned above, visa applications increased by 13.4 per cent in 2024, from 10.3 million to 11.7 million.

To help you avoid that disappointment and make sure you get to tick off those bucket list destinations, here are some easy mistakes to avoid when applying for a Schengen visa, courtesy of VFS Global.

Mistakes to avoid:

Keep it official 

When filling in a visa application form, applicants must include all the requested information in the indicated format per their travel documentation. Incorrect details in the visa application form, such as name as per passport, passport number and date of birth, are common errors. While this seems obvious, most people write information inconsistent with their official documents or identity proof.  For example, if the individual has the first and last name written in reverse order in the official documents, writing it any other way will lead to your visa getting issued with incorrect details.

Check(ing the)list

A checklist acts as an effective tool when putting together a fool-proof application. However, it is essential to remember that different countries have different documentation requirements. A destination-specific, customised list is readily available on the VFS Global information pages, enlisting all the documents required for a visa application to that particular country. One of the most common mistakes that applicants make is not referring to the checklist or a standardised checklist for visa applications, thus missing out on attaching essential documents during submission. Even a single missing document could render the application incomplete. Therefore, getting the most updated checklist from the government or VFS Global website becomes essential before applying for a visa.

Bank statements

While it is common to submit bank statements, and most travellers are aware of this step, not having these bank statements attested or stamped, as needed, is a common error. Applicants can check the requirements for the country they are applying to on the most recent document checklist, available on the government or VFS Global websites.

Cutting it too fine

Every country has a different turnaround time for visa application processing, which varies depending on the peak travel seasons. Often, travellers leave their visa applications to the last minute, leaving very little wiggle time to follow the checklist and ensure every requirement is met meticulously.  Most countries accept applications up to 90 days before travel, and applying for a visa well in advance allows enough time to deal with unforeseen delays. 

Several countries also do not accept applications if the traveller’s Emirates ID is valid for less than 6 months from the travel date. We urge applicants to check the requirements on the respective government website of VFS Global website, as these requirements vary from country to country.

Sponsor selection

The sponsor details, where required, help officials understand the applicant’s support system in the country of travel, making these details extremely crucial to the visa decision. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure we fill in the correct information in the sponsor section of the Visa Application Form and submit relevant sponsorship documents as per the requirements of the country of travel.

While these may seem like simple oversights, any of them can cost a traveller their visa. As requested, it is best to provide every detail in the required formats, with the proper supporting documentation, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free visa application process.

What is most imperative, though, is to start the visa application process well before the intended date of travel to allow enough time for the visa process. Early is always better.

In other travel news, an announcement has been made by Dubai-based carrier flydubai regarding the launch of four new European destinations. Flights to Chișinău and Iași will start in September, and services to Riga and Vilnius will commence in December, further expanding flydubai’s European network to 35 destinations across 20 countries.