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Khaleej Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Maximise your chances of getting a Schengen visa: Where to apply in 2025
Understanding the rules, selecting the right country, and presenting a strong application can make all the difference for short-term travel across Europe A Schengen visa grants the right to travel freely across 29 European countries and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is ideal for tourism, business trips, family visits, and other short-term travel. However, obtaining a Schengen visa is not always easy. Success typically depends not only on submitting a complete and accurate set of documents but also on clearly justifying the purpose of your trip and choosing the right country for your application. While Schengen countries follow similar visa requirements, each country has its own specifics – in processing times, approval rates, and the practice of issuing multiple-entry visas. As a result, the chances of obtaining a visa can vary significantly depending on where the application is submitted. According to the experience of customers who worked with The Visa Services – a team specialising in visa support for over eight years – a clear positive trend is observed: many applicants who were previously denied when applying independently successfully obtained their visas with expert assistance. Here is what the statistics show among The Visa Services' customers: for example, in 2023, the Schengen visa refusal rate for Indian citizens was 34%, decreasing to 29% in 2024. In 2025, thanks to the professional support of The Visa Services team, this figure continues to steadily decline. Egyptian citizens show even stronger positive dynamics: the refusal rate dropped from 24% in 2023 to 21% in 2024, with a continued downward trend in 2025. Why Schengen visa applications get rejected and how to avoid it One of the most common reasons for a Schengen visa refusal is choosing a country for submission based on available appointment slots rather than visa approval policies. Countries like Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia apply particularly strict checks on documents and travel purposes, leading to a higher refusal rate for Russian applicants and, in some cases, even resulting in a travel ban simply for submitting an application. In addition, there are certain "difficult" passports for which obtaining a Schengen visa is even more challenging. Citizens of countries such as Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, and several others often face significantly higher refusal rates and stricter scrutiny during the visa application process. The Visa Services team works extensively with applicants holding such passports and significantly increases their chances of obtaining a Schengen visa. Their experts understand the specific requirements and consular expectations for each nationality, which ensures a much higher success rate – even in the most complex cases. In the UAE, the situation has its own specifics: for expats who have recently relocated, previous travel history and past visas often carry little weight. In such cases, it becomes crucial to demonstrate strong ties to the Emirates by providing employment verification, property ownership documents, and proof of financial stability. Carefully preparing a complete and well-organised application package significantly increases the chances of visa approval. The team at The Visa Services is highly experienced in navigating these nuances, anticipating what visa officers are looking for, and helping applicants gain a serious advantage. Factors influencing visa approval Several factors influence the outcome of a Schengen visa application and the decision to grant a visa: appropriate country matching the applicant's profile; a properly compiled and complete set of documents; additional supporting documents that strengthen the applicant's profile (evidence of ties to the country of residence, financial stability, travel itinerary, etc.); previous travel history (especially important is the absence of visa violations); the purpose and duration of the planned trip. It is important to note that each country has its own internal quotas and seasonal variations. Therefore, the same case can have different outcomes depending on the chosen consulate. Myths about Schengen visas Myth 1:"If the visa is issued by the French consulate, you must fly to France." Truth: Not true. According to the rules, the visa must be issued by the country where you plan to spend the most time, not necessarily the country of first entry. This means you can enter the Schengen Area through any country, as long as your travel route makes sense. Myth 2:"A single-entry visa allows you to visit only one country." Truth: Incorrect. A single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area once, but once inside, you are free to travel between countries without restrictions. For example, you can fly to Italy, then travel to France, Belgium, and Germany – all on one single-entry visa. The only condition is that you must stay within the Schengen Area: if you, for example, fly to Turkey, you will not be able to re-enter the Schengen Area on the same visa. Additionally, be aware that certain types of travel within the Schengen Area may technically count as exiting the zone. For instance, if you travel between two cities in Italy by ferry that crosses international waters (rather than by land), it may be considered as leaving the Schengen Area, and you would not be allowed to re-enter Europe using the same single-entry visa. Many applicants overlook these nuances when applying on their own, but such mistakes can later affect their chances of obtaining a visa. Personalised approach – The decisive factor There are no two identical cases – the decision to grant a Schengen visa can be influenced by a variety of factors: passport type, purpose of the trip, visa history, place of employment, income level, property ownership, spouse's nationality, as well as the travel route and dates. This is why it is essential not only to gather a standard set of documents but to carefully craft an individualized application strategy. For over eight years, the experts at The Visa Services have been assisting customers with: selecting the optimal country for application based on the applicant's profile; collecting and correctly preparing the required documentation; strengthening the case with additional supporting evidence; navigating visa quotas, seasonal variations, and recent rule changes; choosing the right travel route and timing to minimize the risk of refusal. In 2025, consulates have become even more selective, and visa rules are constantly evolving. Refusal statistics, quotas, seasonal allowances, and country priorities are regularly reviewed. In such conditions, following a generic template is risky, especially if you have a non-standard case. The team of specialists at The Visa Services closely monitors all relevant changes, understands the nuances of visa applications at each specific consulate, and tailors a personalised strategy for each customer, significantly increasing their chances of visa approval.
Khaleej Times
06-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Impact of Trump's policy on visa issues: Key changes for expats from the UAE
The Visa Services provides comprehensive support at every stage – from gathering the complete set of documents and searching for an interview slot to preparing for a successful interview Obtaining an American visa has always been a complex process, which required thorough preparation. After Donald Trump, known for his strict stance on immigration, won in the U.S. presidential election, visa policies underwent significant changes, particularly in terms of national security and migration control. The conditions for obtaining visas have become more stringent for expats residing in the UAE. The procedure now demands even greater attention to detail and strict compliance with all regulations. Contrary to popular belief, obtaining a U.S. visa is not a lottery but rather the result of a case-by-case evaluation by an immigration officer. Let's explore how Trump's policies have impacted the visa system and what challenges expats from different countries are already facing. Enhanced document check and new challenges for expats in the UAE Changes in U.S. immigration policy that took effect with the arrival of Donald Trump's administration have impacted tourist, student, and work visas, particularly for citizens of countries included in the so-called Travel Ban – Iran, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan. One of the main challenges faced by expats living in the UAE but holding passports from these countries is the significant increase in visa processing times. For example, the waiting period for an interview and final visa decision for Iranian citizens now ranges from 6 to 12 months, making it much more difficult to plan travel or pursue education in the United States. Additionally, the requirements for submitted documents have been tightened, with a stronger focus on proving the applicant's financial stability, sources of income, and ties to their home country. This approach aims to minimise migration risks but also creates additional hurdles for applicants, who are now required to provide a more extensive set of supporting documents. Beyond the complex visa application process, there are two more challenges that some expats have already encountered: Visas for Domestic Staff Household assistants and nannies are subject to heightened scrutiny by U.S. immigration authorities. As a result, they are now required to provide additional documents, including: - Proof of their employer's financial stability; - Official confirmation of employment and assurances of return to the UAE. The Visa Services specialises in processing visas for domestic staff. In January 2025 alone, they successfully prepared documents and provided full support for over 300 applicants, helping to expedite the review process and minimise the risk of denial. Issues at the border Despite holding a valid visa, around 1.8 per cent of travelers have encountered entry refusals at the U.S. border since the beginning of the year, typically due to one of the following reasons: - Incorrectly declared purpose of travel - Insufficient proof of financial stability - Suspicions of visa violations during previous visits to the USA. However, it's important to understand that the USA is focused on developing international tourism and attracting capital, so such cases are more of an exception than a common issue. Reduction of the validity period for simplified U.S. visa renewal As of February 18, 2025, the eligibility period for an interview waiver has been reduced from 48 months to 12 months. This means that only applicants whose previous U.S. visas expired within the past year may qualify for renewal without an interview. Applicants must apply in their country of residence and have no prior visa refusals or apparent grounds for ineligibility. At the same time, consular officers still have the authority to require an interview. The official website of the U.S. Department of State confirms this policy change, as well as the fact that consular officers may waive the in-person interview requirement for certain applicants under the relevant section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The new rules require immediate action, so if your visa is nearing expiration, it is best to apply now. Moreover, appointment slots for interviews are already booked up for the next year. How to increase your chances of success? Despite the stricter policies, B1/B2 and F-1 visas continue to be in high demand among expatriates from the UAE. U.S. tourism generates $233 billion annually for the economy, and the American education system remains prestigious and sought after, which is why more and more students from around the world choose to study in the U.S. every year. Every expat living in the UAE can begin the process of applying for a U.S. visa on their own. However, due to the nuances and new requirements, the process can be challenging. Mistakes in the application or incomplete documentation can lead to refusal, so it is recommended to seek help from experts who can assist in gathering and preparing the necessary documents. The Visa Services provides comprehensive support at every stage – from gathering the complete set of documents and searching for an interview slot to preparing for a successful interview. They eliminate any mistakes through double-checking – by an experienced visa expert and their AI - and, on average, save their customers up to 30 hours on document preparation, as well as on finding an available interview slot. They regularly encounter situations where expats suffer significant business losses due to the inability to meet with partners personally, miss business events, or important family occasions. '"Our years of experience allow us to confidently say that they help customers not only save time on obtaining visas but also avoid missing business events and enjoy the emotions of new encounters." * Khaleej Times does not recommend any other sort of advice and you should not treat any of the website's content as such. The views expressed may not reflect the newspaper's policy.
