France Embassy in Abu Dhabi- 6 Steps to Apply For a Schengen Visa

France Embassy in Abu Dhabi UAE started processing visa applications since June 2020 though some covid restrictions apply. UAE citizens need to check latest information on who can enter France and travel accordingly with a valid Schengen visa. France is a country with lot of wonders and its the dream of every tourist to visit there.France Embassy in Abu Dhabi is one of the foreign representations who can issue a Schengen visa. France is one of the 26 member Schengen country based on the Schengen agreement. Schengen or the Schengen area are the territories of the States which are signatories to the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen States have a common visa policy. A general visa is used in Schengen. This means that a person only needs one visa to travel within the Schengen area. France Embassy in Abu Dhabi has an agreement with VFS Global to collect Schengen visa applications for visa processing. This blog explains in detail on how to apply for a Schengen visa at France Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from France embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Visa applicants who reside in the territory of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi , Al Ain , or in the territory of one of the six Northern Emirates ( Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al Qouwain and Ras al Khaimah ) who apply a visa to travel to France as the sole or main destination, can be addressed either to the VFS Global center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Travelers with UAE Visit visas are not eligible to apply and they need to apply from their home country.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in UAE can present a justification for lodging an application in UAE rather than in their country of residence. France Embassy in Abu Dhabi has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

France Embassy in Abu Dhabi has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for France Schengen visa.

France Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Address

PO Box 4014, Abu Dhabi, UAE Etihad Tower

Office Tower n ° 3

22nd Floor

Corniche West
Phone: +971 2 813 10 00

Timings: Sunday to Thursday: 08:30-13:00 hours and 14:00 – 16:00 hrs 

Map for France embassy in Abu Dhabi

At the VFS Global France Visa Application Center Abu Dhabi, UAE

Address

Level B2, The Mall World Trade Centre, Khalifa Bin Zayed the 1st Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE

View on Google maps ->

Timings: Sunday – Thursday 9:00 am-17.00

Vfs global visa application center for France embassy at Abu Dhabi accepts visa applicants with appointment to prevent delays and avoid waiting times. All appointments will be scheduled from 9 am to 5:00 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Schengen Visa Fee Structure for France Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Embassy of France in UAE

Visa fee can be paid in in local currency Dhiram at the conversion rate set by the French authorities and which therefore varies to take account of exchange rate fluctuations.

Service Fee:

The cost of the VFS service fees is 30.33 EUR per visa applicant. In local currency, this amount is approximately 131 AED. Applicants lodging the visa application at the France Visa Application Centre require a courier service to return your travel documents. This service can be conveniently purchased at the Visa Application Center from the courier service provider approved by the French Authorities. The service fees must be paid online when booking your appointment

Visa Application Processing time

The Embassy of France processes Schengen visa applications within 15 -30 calendar days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

Schengen Visa Types issued by France embassy in Abu Dhabi

Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

• Visiting France- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
• Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
• Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
• Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
• Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments
• Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
• Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
• Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person

Can Schengen France Visa be Used for Single Entry or Multiple Entry?

Consulates offer Schengen visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from France Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Applying for Schengen business Visa is a simple and quick process if you prepare documentation carefully. If you follow steps below you can apply visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for consulate to process your application

Step 1: Choose right visa category and Complete Schengen visa application

Applying for a France Schengen Visa, your main destination should be France. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to France. Fill the Schengen visa form online by clicking Access Visa Application button and then creating an account if you don’t have one. Print the completed form and attach a photo. Note that these documents will be requested when submitting your visa application to the VFS Global center.

Step 2: Prepare for supported documents

One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

1. Passport size photo
2. sport size photo
3. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
4. Schengen Visa application form
5. Round trip flight itinerary
6. Invitation letter
7. Proof of Hotel Reservation
8. Travel medical Insurance document
9. Proof of Financial sufficiency
10. Proof of legal residence
11. Employment certificate
12. Marriage/ Birth certificate

Step 3: Make an appointment with the France Visa Application center, Abu Dhabi

Create a VFS account by entering your personal email address and password. Fill the requested personal data. If you are part of a group of people applying for a visa, please also enter the data of those accompanying you and proceed to validate the group. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience to attend visa interview at Vfs center, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area

Step 4: Attend Schengen Visa Interview at France Visa Application Center in Abhu Dhabi

Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

Go to VFS Global France Visa application center in Abu Dhabi, UAE on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on consulate requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application.

Step 5: Processing the visa Application

At VFS global center, you will be taken care of by an agent who will check that all the documents necessary for your application are present in your file. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Consulate.

If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the France embassy in Abu Dhabi, you can:

• Request the shipment despite everything the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the Consulate;
• Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

If you decide to send your file to the Consulate, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the VFS center.

Step 6: Return of Passport

You can track the progress of your application using track visa application online. Applicants can use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your Date Of Birth to access this service. Once your visa application is decided by the Consulate General of France, your passport will be returned to the Vfs visa application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier (if offered by the Visa Application Centre) for an additional fee.  You will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.

What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose
• No travel medical insurance covering trip
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Did not provide proof of accommodation
• Missing documents

If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection

Sum Up:

Apply Schengen Visa process at France Embassy, Abu Dhabi UAE is simple and you need to work with Vfs Global to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter France and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure.