Latest news with #SchengenVisa
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Which EU country did SA travellers want to visit the most in 2024?
has revealed that one particular EU country stood out as being 2024's most popular destination for 32 nations, including South Africa. According to recent stats, France was the top destination for applicants from 32 countries, many of them not having a visa-exemption deal with the Schengen Area. The EU country also received over three million visa applications in 2024, a 17 percent increase from 2023. South African nationals reportedly filed 193 768 Schengen Visa applications in 2024, and 30 304 of them or 15.6 percent were for France. But SA travellers weren't the only nationals wishing to visit France in 2024, as 32 other countries also filed the most visa applications to this Schengen state. The top three were Chinese nationals, who filed 458 018 for France, Moroccans, who filed 282 153 for France, and Algerians, who filed 352 295 for France. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Schengen Visa for Indian passport holders: Application, cost, timeline, and tips
Are you thinking of taking a trip to Europe? If yes, you must be aware that Indian passport holders who wish to visit any of the 29 Schengen nations—including popular locations like France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands—are required to obtain a Schengen visa. If this is your first time applying for this visa, this brief guide will help you get through the application process without any issues. What is a Schengen Visa? It's that visa that allows visitors from outside the EU or EEA to enter and move freely inside the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is best suited for family holidays, business travel, and travel. Types of Schengen Visas for Indians Depending on your travel purpose, you can go for: Tourist Visa: For leisure travel and sightseeing. Business Visa: For attending conferences, meetings, and work-related events. Family Visit Visa: To visit relatives residing in Schengen countries. Transit Visa: For airport layovers within the Schengen Zone Read more: Countries with the letter X in their name Application process Determine the Appropriate Embassy/Consulate: Single-country trip: Apply at that country's embassy or consulate. Multiple-country trip: Apply at the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most time. Equal stay duration: Apply at the embassy of the country you will enter first. Schedule an appointment: Book an appointment with the respective embassy, consulate, or authorized visa application center (e.g., VFS Global). Prepare required documents - Valid passport (minimum six months validity with at least two blank pages). - Completed visa application form. - Recent passport-size photographs adhering to Schengen guidelines. - Proof of travel itinerary, accommodation, and sufficient financial means. - Travel insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical emergencies. Submit Application and Pay Fees: Attend the appointment to submit your application and pay the visa fee. Processing time Processing a visa usually takes 15 to 30 days. Applying at least 45 to 60 days before to your planned trip date will allow for any last-minute cancellations. Validity You can spend around 90 days in any 180-day period with a Schengen visa. To prevent overstaying, and hassle-free travel, make sure your travel schedule complies with this requirement. Read more: Kalimpong over Darjeeling? Here's why it might be a better choice Tips for a successful application Accuracy: Make sure all of the information you supply is correct, current, and consistent throughout all of your documents. Completeness: Submit all required documents to avoid processing delays. Financial proof: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay. Travel insurance: Obtain comprehensive travel insurance meeting Schengen requirements. You can attempt to expedite the processing of your Schengen visa application and confidently complete your journey to Europe by following this recommendations. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Schengen visa scam in UAE: Fake travel agents charging Dh4,000, experts warn
With the summer travel season in full swing, UAE residents are being warned about fraudulent travel agents charging thousands of dirhams per person for Schengen visa appointments and disappearing without delivering. Faisal M., a resident of Dubai Marina, had planned a summer getaway to the Netherlands, Spain, and Austria with his wife. He ended up paying Dh4,000 per visa to a travel agent who claimed to have guaranteed appointments in early May. 'I received a call from a travel agent asking if I was looking for a Schengen visa. When I showed interest, he explained the charges, which I agreed to,' said Faisal. 'But on the day of the appointment, he asked me to meet him near Wafi Mall.' Faisal said he waited nearly five hours, but the agent never showed up. 'When I called him, he kept delaying and eventually stopped answering my calls,' he added. Over the next few days, the agent kept insisting that the application was under process. Faisal eventually tracked down the agent and convinced him to meet near the Mall of the Emirates. 'I convinced him to meet me before the rescheduled appointment on May 7. I drove him straight to Barsha Police Station and told him to return my money or I would file a complaint,' he said. 'After two hours of argument, he returned Dh5,000. I have his Emirates ID photo and his residence address as a precaution.' Nirmal Rathod, a businessman and distributor of dairy products, escaped a similar scam. He was about to pay Dh3,500 to a travel agent but decided to verify through his trusted agent first. 'I was planning to attend a food and agriculture exhibition in the Netherlands next month. My regular travel agent said he would try, but after a week, he confirmed it wasn't possible,' said Rathod. A few days later, Rathod received a call from someone offering an appointment slot for an extra fee. 'He convinced me, but I still checked with my agent. That's when I was told about the scams happening in the market. I chose not to proceed and skipped the exhibition this year,' he added. Apply through verified sources Travel agents are urging residents to apply for the visa through verified sources. 'Schengen countries are some of the most in-demand destinations,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Due to high demand, appointment availability is extremely limited. And it's not just tourists, many business professionals are also willing to pay a premium for visa slots.' 'Always ensure the travel agency has a landline, is registered in Dubai, and has a functional website. Avoid transferring money online to individuals or unverifiable agents. If you must pay, visit the agency in person,' said Subair. Visa facilitation company VFS Global confirmed that the summer season has seen unprecedented demand for international travel, creating a gap between demand and appointment availability. 'We consistently urge travelers to plan ahead to avoid last-minute issues,' VFS Global told Khaleej Times in a statement. 'Appointments and visa processing timelines are determined solely by the respective embassy or consulate.' They highlighted that the appointment slots are available free of charge on their official website and warned applicants not to pay third-party agents offering guaranteed slots or appointments. 'We urge applicants to beware of fraudulent third-party entities who offer appointment slots or guaranteed visas in exchange for a fee,' the statement added. 'We regularly run public service messages across all customer touchpoints to alert applicants against misrepresentation.'
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE residents lost over Dh20 million in rejected Schengen visa applications in 2024
UAE residents hoping to visit Europe 'wasted' a whopping Dh20.6 million (€4.93 million) in 2024 due to rejected Schengen visa applications, according to a recent report. The latest data from Schengen Visa Info revealed that a total of 260,229 visa applications were filed from the UAE — marking an 11.24 per cent increase from 2023. Of these, 61,738 applications were rejected, amounting to a 23.72 per cent rejection rate. The rejection rate was an 18 per cent rise compared to the previous year. The report also revealed that UAE residents accounted for 2.2 per cent of global applications, making the Emirates the 10th country with the most Schengen visa applications filed last year. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Schengen visa cost The Schengen visa, which allows permits seamless travel across 27 European countries, cost €80 (Dh333) up until June 11, 2024, not including additional service and documentation fees. This brought the total spent by UAE applicants on Schengen visas in 2024 to nearly Dh87 million (€20.8 million). In total, since 2014, UAE-based applicants have spent over Dh700 million (€170 million) on Schengen visa applications. Top 10 Schengen destinations Germany was the most preferred Schengen destination, receiving 32,956 applications from UAE residents. It granted 23,753 visas to UAE residents, resulting in an approval rate of 72.07 per cent. However, Germany also recorded the highest number of rejections, with 8,778 visa applications denied. Following Germany, the second most popular destination among UAE residents was the Netherlands, with 29,473 applications, followed by France in third place with 28,778 applications. Switzerland ranked fourth as a sought-after Schengen destination with 27,148 applications, followed by Spain in fifth, which received 24,799. Italy was the sixth most preferred destination with 23,240 applications, followed by Greece, which processed 17,974. Eighth on the list was Denmark with 12,846 applications, followed by Norway with 12,007, and Hungary with 9,717. Meanwhile, Lithuania received the least visa applications from the UAE, with just 202 submissions. In total, 198,093 Schengen visas were granted to UAE residents last year. Poland was the easiest country to secure a visa from, approving 85.89 per cent of its 23,753 applications. Meanwhile, Croatia and Denmark had the highest rejection rates, declining 53.03 per cent and 49.75 per cent of all applications from the UAE, respectively.
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Schengen visa: Indians lost Rs1.36 billion in rejected applications in 2024
In 2004, over 1.65 lakh Schengen visa applications from India were rejected, causing a loss of a whopping ₹136 crore (Dh58 million) in non-refundable fees. India is third among countries with maximum losses, followed by Turkey and Algeria. Each visa application cost around €85 (Rs 8,270 or Dh 357); the fee was revised to €90 in the middle of the year for Indian applicants aged 12 and above. According to Conde Nast Traveller, the total amount that Indians spent on filing visa applications in 2024 was around Rs 9.16 billion. The report added that of the 11.08 lakh Schengen visa applications filed by Indians , a total of 1,65,266 were turned down which is a rejection rate of nearly 15 per cent . France topped the list of Schengen countries that rejected the most Indian visa applications — 31,314 in total —leading to a loss of around Rs 258 million. It was followed by Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands that caused the most losses. This year, more than 217,000 applications were submitted from India to Switzerland alone, making it the most sought-after Schengen state for Indian travellers. It was followed by France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. Globally, Algerians faced the highest losses (15.7 million euros or Rs 1.53 billion), followed by Turks (14.4 million euros or Rs 1.40 billion), Conde Nast Traveller quoted data from the European Commission as saying.
