Lodging your Schengen visa application - when, where and how?
When and where to apply for a Schengen visa
You can submit your application no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before your intended journey. If you apply less than 15 days before the journey, your application may be refused. We suggest that you plan your trip and apply for visa well in advance, as in peak seasons we may not be able to offer you an appointment to submit your application immediately.
As a legal rule, a decision on a visa application is taken within 15 calendar days. This period may, in individual cases, be extended to up to 45 days, if a more detailed examination of your application and/or additional documents are required.
At the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abu Dhabi, the decision is in most cases taken within 12-14 days.
Some Schengen States require to be consulted on visa applications by citizens of certain countries. The consultation process may delay the visa procedure by several days. Such consultation is currently required for nationals of the countries listed here.
(Likewise, some Schengen States may require to be informed when a visa has been issued to nationals of certain third countries, which are listed here.)
Where to apply for a Schengen visa
You must apply for your Schengen visa at the Consulate of the Schengen State that you intend to visit. As a general rule, it must be at the Consulate with territorial competence for the country in which you legally reside. The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abu Dhabi accepts Schengen visa applications from residents of the United Arab Emirates, who must have a visa when entering the Schengen area and, who intend to visit the Czech Republic.
If you are going to visit several Schengen States, you must apply at the Consulate of that Schengen State which will be your main destination or where you will stay the longest period. If the stay in several Schengen States will be of equal length, the main destination is the Schengen State of the main purpose of the visit (i.e. conference, business meeting, etc.). If it is not possible to determine the main destination, you must apply at the Consulate of the Schengen State whose borders you will cross first when entering the Schengen area.
If the Czech Republic is the only country or the main destination of your visit and you are a resident of the United Arab Emirates, who must have a visa when entering the Schengen area, you may apply for a visa:
- with prior appointment at the Czech Republic Visa Application Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
http://www.vfsglobal.com/czechrepublic/uae/index.html
Please note that if you are a family member of an EU citizen, you are entitled to a priority appointment to submit your application at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abu Dhabi.
You can request an appointment at: visa_abudhabi@mzv.cz
Contact information of the Czech Republic Visa Application Centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Joint Visa Application Centre - VFS Global
Level B2 - The Mall World Trade Center
Zayed The First Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Helpline: + 971 4 2055 715 call 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday (except public holidays)
Email: info.czechuae@vfshelpline.com
Business hours:
09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday
Dubai
Joint Visa Application Centre - VFS Global
Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2
Dubai, UAE
Helpline: + 971 4 2055 715 call 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday (except public holidays)
Email: info.czechuae@vfshelpline.com
Business hours:
09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday
How to apply for a Schengen visa
Individual travellers
Applications are generally submitted by the applicant in person. Simply follow this 3-step plan to apply:
1 Check whether you need an appointment to submit your visa application. If so, make an appointment.
2 Download, print, fill in and sign the application form and collect all required documents
arabština + angličtina (DOCX, 81 KB)
(see the checklists in “What you need to submit with the application for a Schengen visa”)
Check carefully that you have prepared all required documentation. Thereafter, arrange the documents according to the order in the ‘Document Checklist’.
Please note that in case you do not submit the application form, passport, photograph, fingerprints (where needed) or visa fee (where charged), the application will not be accepted. Failure to submit the other documents might lead to visa refusal.
3 Submit your application along with the supporting documents
When accepting your application, the Consulate will inform you when you can come to receive your passport with a visa, or with the information about visa refusal.
Tourist trips with an accredited travel agency
Accredited travel agencies are in general allowed to submit applications on behalf of their clients. However, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abu Dhabi currently does not cooperate with any accredited travel agency.