How to Secure a Visa to Schengen States from the UAE
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Applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai involves choosing the correct embassy based on your main destination, gathering documents (valid UAE residence permit, €30k insurance, bank statements), and booking a VFS/BLS appointment. While the average Schengen rejection rate is 14.6%, using expert guidance ensures a smooth application.
In 1985, five European Union (EU) member states agreed on a common visa regulation and freedom of movement for their citizens within member states.
This agreement would later be termed the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Area, Luxembourg, covers 4 million square kilometers and is home to 420 million people in Europe.
The Schengen Agreement includes a single set of Schengen freedom of movement rules: police controls at the internal borders (i.e., at the borders between two member states) were abolished, and a common approach to external border controls was established.
This uniform visa regulation for entry into the Schengen area without a valid permission to stay, and the general visa regulation determined the conditions for obtaining a visa.
It is more than 40 years since this agreement was signed. Which countries today comprise the Schengen Area? How easy is it to obtain a visa? How can one acquire a Schengen visa from Dubai? And what are its rejection rates?
To begin this conversation, we need to deal with facts and figures. At schengenfromdubai.com, it’s the facts and the figures that make us a top tour and travel agency in Dubai.
Which countries are in the Schengen Area?
As of 2026, the Schengen states comprised 29 countries. From its humble inception three decades ago, these member states agreed on common visa regulations and freedom of movement between member states.
These member states include 25 of the 27 members of the European Union, namely:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- The Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Iceland (EFTA)
- Liechtenstein (EFTA)
- Norway
- Switzerland
Note: EFTA is an abbreviation for the European Free Trade Association. Also note that Cyprus is currently the only non-Schengen EU member state expected to join in the future, while Ireland maintains an opt-out.
Non-Schengen Countries in Europe
What about the United Kingdom (UK)? Is it part of the Schengen area? No. It never signed the Schengen Agreement. Since Brexit went into effect on January 31st 2020, the UK ceased being a member of the European Union (EU)
Other notable countries within Europe that are not yet included in the Schengen Area include:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- North Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- Ukraine
While some European microstates like San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are not registered members of the Schengen Area, these three nations are considered “de facto” member states inside the area.
Note that Russia is geographically within Europe but neither a member of the Schengen Area nor the EU. Hence, it imposes its own border controls and travel regulations.
Facts & Figures: Schengen Visa Statistics (2025–2026)
When planning your business trips, family vacations, and tours and travels, our accuracy and favorable pricing come from industrial facts and figures.
According to the official 2025 Schengen visa data, more than 12.2 million Schengen visa applications were filed. The overall acceptance rate of the Schengen visa request exceeded 85%
While Slovakia recorded the lowest refusal rate and Malta, the most stringent country, it’s imperative to note that France remains the country with the highest number of applications submitted and visas granted. More than 1 in 2 visas issued is a multiple-entry visa (MEV).
From 2019 to 2025: Comparative Table of Schengen Visa issuance
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Visa applications (in millions) |
16.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 7.6 | 10.3 | 11.7 | 12.2 |
| Refusal Rates | 9.9 % | 13.6 % | 13.4 % | 17.9 % | 16 % | 14.8 % | 14.6 % |
Top Schengen Destinations with the Most Visa Applications
- France: 3 M (3,105,356 applications)
- Spain: 1.7 M (1,713,550 applications)
- Germany: 1.5 M (1,497,619 applications)
- Italy: 1.3 M (1,326,876 applications)
- Netherlands: 746,011 applications
From the above statistics, it is clear that the top favorable tourism destinations received the most Schengen visa applications.
France remains a top tourism destination due to its unmatched blend of iconic cultures, diverse landscapes, world-class gastronomy, and a central geographic location in Europe that makes travel easy.
European Countries with the Highest Schengen Visa Refusal Rate?
The European average refusal rate of Schengen visas is 14.6%. Having looked at countries that issued the most Schengen visas, it’s time to look and learn from the rejection rates.
A country with the highest rejection rate may not necessarily be mean or stringent with visas; this could be because of several factors.
First, kindly note that these facts and figures change yearly depending on factors like public health, geopolitical tension, and modifications in migration policies.
High rejection rates could also result from a high number of applicants or self-applications instead of using professional tour and travel company services.
Here is a look at the countries with the highest refusal rates, along with practical tips to help you avoid common reasons for visa refusal.
| Countries | Refusal Rates | |
| 1 | Malta | 38.4 % |
| 2 | Belgium | 26.1 % |
| 3 | Estonia | 24.6 % |
| 4 | Portugal | 23.3 % |
| 5 | Sweden | 23.3 % |
Countries with the Lowest Schengen Visa Refusal Rates
- Italy and Austria: Both countries rank among the 10 Schengen states receiving the most visa applications and also feature among those with the lowest Schengen visa refusal rates.
- Slovakia: Moving up three places in the ranking, Slovakia has become the Schengen country with the lowest visa refusal rate. It is now the only Schengen state with a refusal rate below 10%. In 2024, four countries were below this threshold.
- Iceland’s spectacular drop: After ranking among the countries with the lowest refusal rates for several years, Iceland falls out of the Top 5. Its refusal rate more than doubled, from 6.6% in 2024 to 13.8% in 2025. Another reminder that the ranking can change significantly from one year to the next.
Understanding Schengen Visa Refusal Rates
Let us try to make sense of refusal rates in Malta, Belgium and Portugal.
- The Maltese paradox: with almost 4 in 10 applications refused, Malta has the highest Schengen visa refusal rate among the countries analyzed.
This stands in contrast to the country’s reputation for openness and modernity. Malta also ranks among Europe’s most progressive countries when it comes to the legal rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Belgium takes a firm stance against visa shopping: More than 67,000 applications were refused in 2025.
Belgian authorities are particularly vigilant about “visa shopping”, where applicants apply for a Belgian visa even though Belgium is not their main destination.
- Portugal’s figures need context: Portugal’s refusal rate is relatively high, but the country also receives a large number of visa applications each year.
A high refusal rate does not necessarily mean that an application is unlikely to be approved. A complete application that meets all the requirements remains essential.
The Easiest Way to Get a Schengen Visa From Dubai
Are you in Dubai? Do you intend to obtain a Schengen visa? Let me share with you clear, simple ways to get a Schengen visa.
First, confirm your interest in a Schengen visa by contacting schengenfromdubai.com.
Let us know whether you need a Schengen visa for business travel, a family vacation, or tourism.
We will support you with the details, from filling out documents to final submission, to secure a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa.
A short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa will permit you to travel across 29 Schengen countries on a single visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days.
Secondly, be sure of your Schengen country of interest. Many times, travelers are uncertain or make wrong choices about the country they intend to visit, which has resulted in visa rejections.
Ensure your application is directed to the country where you will spend most nights, and if it’s even, apply to the country of your first entry.
Once you are certain of your country of interest, ensure your documents are ready and in order.
Tick your pre-travel boxes to ensure you have your application form, passport, biometric photos, Emirates Identity Card, residency visa copy, travel medical insurance with a minimum of €30,000 cover, hotel reservations, a 3 to 6 months bank statement, confirmed flight, an employment or trade license, cover letter and a clear itinerary.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Schengen applications are made through your destination country’s official visa center (VFS or BLS).
You must book your appointment and attend in person to submit your documents and biometrics.
Note that slots fill quickly during peak season. Therefore, start your process 4-8 weeks before you travel.
Finally, make your visa fee payments and the service charge at the center, then wait for the decision.
The process is likely to take 15 calendar days, but it can also be delayed up to 30-40 days during busy seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schengen Visa from Dubai
What is the Schengen visa refusal rate in 2026?
According to the latest official statistics published by the European Commission, the average global Schengen visa refusal rate stands at 14.6%. For residents applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai and the wider UAE, approval rates remain generally favorable when applications are backed by complete documentation. Rejection rates vary significantly across member states—while most countries maintain a rejection rate between 10% and 20%, certain high-demand consulates record lower figures, whereas others see rates exceeding 30%. Factors such as incomplete financial proofs, unclear travel itineraries, or incorrect embassy selection heavily influence these statistics.
Which Schengen country applies the most rigorous visa rules?
How early can I apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai?
How early can I apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai?
What is the minimum bank balance required for a Schengen visa application from Dubai?
Do UAE residents need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a Schengen visa?
Yes. An official NOC letter from your UAE employer (or a copy of your Trade License if you are self-employed) is mandatory. The letter must be printed on official company letterhead, signed, stamped, and state your position, monthly salary, join date, approved leave dates, and confirmation that you will return to your job in Dubai after your trip.
What happens if my Schengen visa application is rejected?
Take the Stress Out of Your Schengen Visa Application
Navigating Schengen visa requirements, embassy slots, and complex documentation from Dubai doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Schengen From Dubai, our dedicated team of visa specialists streamlines the entire process—from selecting the right consulate and preparing bulletproof documents to securing early VFS/BLS appointment slots. With our deep knowledge of UAE residency guidelines and European consular standards, we help you avoid costly rejection pitfalls and maximize your approval chances.
Ready to start your European journey? Contact Schengen From Dubai today and let our experts handle your application with precision and care.
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