UAE: No Schengen visa appointments until August; residents told to rethink summer plans
Planning to travel to Europe to enjoy the cooler climes this summer vacation? If you haven't applied for a Schengen visa yet, you should head back to the drawing board as visa appointments are currently unavailable for the foreseeable future.
Travel agents said that the appointments for the 29 countries are currently unavailable, and the next available slots will only show up from mid-August onwards.
According to them, most appointments are fully booked until at least the second week of August. Even if travellers manage to secure an appointment slot, getting the actual visa can take up to two weeks to a month, making it nearly impossible to plan a Schengen vacation during the school break.
"There are no appointments for any country at the moment,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Only a few limited slots are available for Greece in the third week of July, but even those are hard to get. With the current delays, the summer holidays will be over by the time people get their visas.'
The demand for Schengen visas is extremely high this year. Italy and France are the top choices for many UAE travellers, but the rush is making it difficult to get appointments on time.
'It's not just Schengen. Even the UK visa is taking about two months now,' said Pavan Poojari, travel consultant at Luxury Travels. 'A lot of people want to travel, but they have no choice but to look for other options.'
Tour operators say that due to these delays, they encourage residents to consider alternative travel destinations that are easier to access and still offer memorable experiences.
'Kenya is one of the best options right now. The Great Migration begins in July and continues into August. It's one of the most stunning wildlife events in the world. People can go on safaris and see nature at its best,' said Subair.
South Africa and Zanzibar are also becoming popular alternatives. 'Many UAE residents choose these places for their scenic beauty, unique culture, and easier visa process,' added Subair.
In addition to African destinations, several Asian countries attract travellers with their beaches, nature, and vibrant cities. 'Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Japan are among the top picks,' said Pavan. 'These destinations are great during the monsoon and are usually cheaper compared to Europe. They offer a different vibe, but still give families a fun vacation.'
For those still hoping for a European feel, Turkey remains a strong option. 'You can get a Turkish visa in about a month, which is much better compared to Schengen or UK wait times,' said Pavan.
Some Scandinavian countries still have Schengen visa appointments available, but Subair said that they are not ideal for everyone. "These countries fall in the northern part of Europe. It becomes expensive and time-consuming to travel to the more popular southern parts like Italy or Spain from there, which is why fewer people choose this option.'
While travel agents expect more visa slots to open up in the coming months, they are advising residents to be flexible with their plans and consider new, less-travelled destinations.
'We hope that embassies can take note of the high travel demand and expect more slots to become available soon, as the number of people wanting to travel to Schengen countries is extremely high,' said Subair.
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