Schengen Visa Applicants in UAE Warned About Rising Scams
Schengen Visa Applicants in UAE Warned Against Scammers Offering Fake Appointments & Approvals
UAE foreign residents planning to apply for a Schengen visa are being advised to stay alert for scammers falsely promising visa appointments and guaranteed approvals in exchange for money.
According to Monaz Billimoria, VFS Global’s Regional Head for UAE, these offers are fake and misleading. She emphasized that all visa decisions and appointment allocations are exclusively handled by embassies and consulates, not third parties.
"We urge applicants to beware of any third-party entities or individuals posing as VFS Global staff or partners, promising visa appointments or guaranteed visas for an additional fee," said Billimoria.
To avoid falling into such traps, applicants are encouraged to use only official embassy websites or trusted visa centers and plan their trips early. Billimoria reminded that Schengen visa applications can be submitted up to six months before travel, allowing enough time to secure a legitimate appointment.
"We constantly urge applicants to plan their trips and apply for their visas well in advance to avoid any delays ahead of their travels," she added.
High Demand During Summer Travel Season
Demand for Schengen visas in the UAE peaks during the summer months, often leading to fully booked appointment slots. Billimoria explained that each Schengen country independently sets its appointment availability and processing timelines, and those with higher volumes may take longer to respond.
Travel agents recently noted that most appointments are unavailable for at least the next two months, with heavy booking seen until mid-August 2024.
Schengen Visa Statistics – UAE 2024
According to AtoZSerwisPlus, UAE foreign residents filed 260,229 Schengen visa applications in 2024. Out of these, 196,109 applications were approved, while 61,738 were rejected, indicating the importance of timely and genuine submissions.
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