New Schengen Visa Rule: What UAE residents should know before their next Europe trip

TL;DR

• Starting June 18, 2025, UAE residents must complete the full Schengen visa application online before booking an appointment through VFS Global .
• If you try to book without submitting the form, you won’t get an appointment, the system won’t let you move forward.
• This change affects non-Emirati residents only. Emirati passport holders still get visa-free access to the Schengen zone.

If you live in the UAE and you’re planning to visit Europe, there’s a new rule you need to follow when applying for a Schengen visa.

As of June 18, 2025, the visa application process has changed. Now, you’re required to fill out your entire application form online first, before you can even book an appointment. This all happens on the VFS Global portal, which handles visa processing for most Schengen countries in the UAE.

Before this rule, people could grab a time slot and sort out the paperwork later. That step-by-step process is gone. It’s now a single, digital-first flow. If you skip the form, you can’t get a date, simple as that. The goal is to reduce appointment backlogs, improve accuracy, and make the system more efficient. But it also means travellers need to be more prepared up front, or risk delays.

What Is This Change?
If you’re applying for a Schengen visa from the UAE, there’s a new step you can’t skip.

As of June 18, 2025, all applicants must complete the visa application form online on the VFS Global portal before they can book an appointment. The form and the appointment now go hand-in-hand.

Before, you could reserve a time slot and upload your documents later. That’s no longer allowed.

Now, unless you’ve filled out and submitted your visa form online, you won’t even see available appointment times. Everything has to be done in one go.

This update applies to non-Emirati residents in the UAE who need a visa to visit Europe. It’s part of a shift toward faster, more accurate processing, but it means you’ll need to have all your information ready upfront.

Why the Change?
The update is part of a broader effort to streamline the visa process. According to VFS Global, having applicants complete the form upfront helps:

• Reduce back-and-forth errors
• Improve appointment availability
• Speed up document processing

It also gets your basic info, like personal details and travel plans, logged earlier in the process, which helps avoid issues later on.

“All applicants must complete an online Visa Application Form on our appointment booking portal when scheduling an appointment,” said the notice from VFS Global.

Who Is Affected?
This new step is for non-UAE nationals living in the UAE. That includes expats from India, Egypt, Philippines and other countries that require a Schengen visa

You’re affected if you’re applying for a visa for tourism, business, medical reasons, or family visits.

If you hold a UAE passport, none of this applies. Emirati citizens still enjoy visa-free travel to Schengen countries for up to 90 days.

Is This the Same for Every Schengen Country?
The core rule is the same, but some countries may add extra steps. Once you’ve submitted your form and booked your slot, some embassies, like Germany or Switzerland, might ask you to complete final submission steps through their own portals.

So before you start, it’s smart to check the exact visa instructions for your destination country on VFS Global or the embassy website.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Schengen Visa Now
Here’s how to follow the new system:

Visit the VFS Global Website: Go to vfsglobal.com and select the country you’re visiting or the one where you’ll spend the most time.

Fill in the Visa Application Form Online: You’ll need to complete your full Schengen visa form right on the booking platform. Double-check every detail, name spellings, travel dates, passport number, etc.

Submit the Form and Book Your Appointment: Only after you submit the form will you be allowed to pick a date and time for your visa appointment.

Get Your Documents Ready: On appointment day, bring all required documents: Your passport, a printed copy of your completed application, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, any other documents listed for your visa type

Follow Embassy-Specific Instructions: Some countries may redirect you to their own visa portals (especially Germany and Switzerland). Follow those steps carefully.

Pro Tips to Avoid Issues

• Apply early. Schengen appointments get booked quickly, especially before holidays.
• Don’t skip the form, the system won’t let you book without it.
• Keep documents organized. Incomplete files can delay your visa or lead to rejection.
• Bookmark the VFS Global portal and check for country-specific updates.

FAQ

• 1. Can I still book an appointment first and fill the form later?

No. As of June 18, 2025, you must complete and submit the form online first before you can access the calendar to book your visa appointment.

• 2. Do Emirati citizens need to follow this?

No. UAE passport holders can travel to the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days.

• 3. Which countries have extra steps after VFS submission?

Countries like Germany and Switzerland may require you to finalize the process on their embassy sites, even after booking through VFS Global. Always double-check the specific requirements.