I hate applying for a Visa - not because I am lazy processing
requirements but I am scared I might be denied. Paranoid? Nah, I think its just normal specially if you are an expat from a third world country, you know
what I mean. (I've been held for questioning in an immigration office
twice on 2 different occasions so I think I have a valid reason to be
paranoid.)
I took the privilege of my country being an ASEAN Member then
availed the VOA to the countries I am qualified but pity my passport only has a
handful of countries to visit.
So there, to cut the story short, I booked a multi city flight arriving Budapest, Hungary and departing Prague, Czech Republic via Sky Scanner. Yes, I know its risky but I booked my flights first since its cheaper to book ahead.
Tip: You can apply for a Schengen Visa thru your country of entry or from the country where you will stay the most.
Embassies in the United Arab Emirates are located in Abu Dhabi though some has their respective consulates in Dubai however, Schengen Countries direct all short term visa applicants to a service provider which is VFS Global http://www.vfsglobal.com/
The good thing about service provider is that you don't need to travel all the way to Abu Dhabi for the application and no need to Schedule for an Appointment, just simply walk in to VFS Global located at Wafi Mall in Oud Metha, Dubai from 09:00 till 15:00 working days however, you need to pay extra AED 109.00 for the service fee on top of the AED 261.00 Visa Fee.
Tip: Payments must be in CASH
The website has everything if you have patient enough to browse and follow the links but here are the important ones - Visa Fees, Documents Required and Application Form but for quick answer, give their hotline a ring.
Before dropping your application, make sure that you fully accomplished all the necessary documents.
How did my process my requirements?
Between Hungary and Czech Republic, Czech has the feasible requirements. I stated the countries I am covering and the dates of my travels on my NOC Letter. The cheapest travel insurance I found over the web that fits the criteria was with AXA Insurance. My bank details, I personally went to the bank and requested for the statements, you can also request for it over the phone but it will take 3 days to be delivered, Bank Statement cost AED 25.00. It is not true that you need to have AED 5K on your account for the application, as long as you have a salary coming in every month, you will be fine. I booked my Free Cancellation and No Payment Required Hostel Reservations thru Booking.com. and for the train and bus tickets, I searched thru GoEuro.com. Train Tickets are expensive so most of the transportation I booked was with buses. I thoroughly checked and compared the prices and its really better to book ahead and that's what I did. Since I am aiming for a Multiple Entry, I was advised to attached a Letter of Application with my detailed travel plan including my Tour Reservations.
How was my application experience?
So, I have all my requirements ready. I went to drop it as early as possible since VFS caters to all Short Term Schengen Visa Countries. Expect that security will be tight. Fall in line at the reception, they will ask for the country you are going to apply for the visa and the purpose then they will give you a number that also indicates the Zone you need to proceed. When my number was called, I informed the lady that scanned my requirements that I am applying for a Multiple Visa and show her my Letter of Application but she said that its not a guarantee. Well. I paid a total of AED 418.00 including the Courier Fee and the SMS Fee. I was told that it will take 2 weeks for the Visa to be released. After that, I proceed to the Biometric Data Collection. It was just a quick and hassle free application. I then received an SMS that my application has been received and the next day a message saying that its been under process at the Abu Dhabi Embassy. However, those are the only messages I received from the SMS Service. I tried checking my application thru the website's track my application but no updates. Excalty after 10 days from the day it was processed in Abu Dhabi, a parcel came to the office with my passport - I was so excited and tense at the same time - I opened my passport and saw a Schengen Visa pasted on its page however I was only given a single entry and strictly with the days of my travel. That was disappointing, I even attached my next trip's ticket after this one but still, they didn't allow it, however, its still a Schengen Visa and I got my first one. It an accomplishment.
Ready for the your application? Just follow the requirements and you will be fine. Good luck!
Tip: You can apply for a Schengen Visa thru your country of entry or from the country where you will stay the most.
Embassies in the United Arab Emirates are located in Abu Dhabi though some has their respective consulates in Dubai however, Schengen Countries direct all short term visa applicants to a service provider which is VFS Global http://www.vfsglobal.com/
The good thing about service provider is that you don't need to travel all the way to Abu Dhabi for the application and no need to Schedule for an Appointment, just simply walk in to VFS Global located at Wafi Mall in Oud Metha, Dubai from 09:00 till 15:00 working days however, you need to pay extra AED 109.00 for the service fee on top of the AED 261.00 Visa Fee.
Tip: Payments must be in CASH
The website has everything if you have patient enough to browse and follow the links but here are the important ones - Visa Fees, Documents Required and Application Form but for quick answer, give their hotline a ring.
Before dropping your application, make sure that you fully accomplished all the necessary documents.
How did my process my requirements?
Between Hungary and Czech Republic, Czech has the feasible requirements. I stated the countries I am covering and the dates of my travels on my NOC Letter. The cheapest travel insurance I found over the web that fits the criteria was with AXA Insurance. My bank details, I personally went to the bank and requested for the statements, you can also request for it over the phone but it will take 3 days to be delivered, Bank Statement cost AED 25.00. It is not true that you need to have AED 5K on your account for the application, as long as you have a salary coming in every month, you will be fine. I booked my Free Cancellation and No Payment Required Hostel Reservations thru Booking.com. and for the train and bus tickets, I searched thru GoEuro.com. Train Tickets are expensive so most of the transportation I booked was with buses. I thoroughly checked and compared the prices and its really better to book ahead and that's what I did. Since I am aiming for a Multiple Entry, I was advised to attached a Letter of Application with my detailed travel plan including my Tour Reservations.
How was my application experience?
So, I have all my requirements ready. I went to drop it as early as possible since VFS caters to all Short Term Schengen Visa Countries. Expect that security will be tight. Fall in line at the reception, they will ask for the country you are going to apply for the visa and the purpose then they will give you a number that also indicates the Zone you need to proceed. When my number was called, I informed the lady that scanned my requirements that I am applying for a Multiple Visa and show her my Letter of Application but she said that its not a guarantee. Well. I paid a total of AED 418.00 including the Courier Fee and the SMS Fee. I was told that it will take 2 weeks for the Visa to be released. After that, I proceed to the Biometric Data Collection. It was just a quick and hassle free application. I then received an SMS that my application has been received and the next day a message saying that its been under process at the Abu Dhabi Embassy. However, those are the only messages I received from the SMS Service. I tried checking my application thru the website's track my application but no updates. Excalty after 10 days from the day it was processed in Abu Dhabi, a parcel came to the office with my passport - I was so excited and tense at the same time - I opened my passport and saw a Schengen Visa pasted on its page however I was only given a single entry and strictly with the days of my travel. That was disappointing, I even attached my next trip's ticket after this one but still, they didn't allow it, however, its still a Schengen Visa and I got my first one. It an accomplishment.
Ready for the your application? Just follow the requirements and you will be fine. Good luck!
