In 2023, UAE residents seeking travel to Europe spent Dh16.8 million (€4.19 million) on Schengen visa applications that were ultimately rejected, according to a recent report. The rejection rate for these applications was 22.44 percent, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year, as reported by Schengen Visa Info.
According to a Khaleej Times report which cites the recent findings, throughout the year, UAE residents submitted a total of 233,932 Schengen visa applications, a 24.97 percent rise compared to 2022. This number represented 2.27 percent of all global visa applications, making the UAE the 10th highest country in terms of Schengen visa requests. In total, UAE applicants spent Dh74.9 million (€18.7 million) on Schengen visas in 2023.
As of June 11, 2024, the cost of a Schengen visa (type C) increased by 12 percent, following a global price hike announced by the European Commission. Previously, the application fee was around Dh320 (€80), with additional varying service fees based on location.
Germany emerged as the top destination for Schengen visa applicants from the UAE, receiving 26,024 applications. However, it also had the highest number of rejections, with 6,283 applications denied. Conversely, Lithuania had the fewest applications from UAE residents, with only 327 submissions.
Spain was the most approving country, granting 20,843 visas to UAE residents, reflecting an approval rate of 80.09 percent. Poland proved to be the easiest country for UAE residents to obtain a visa, with a high approval rate of 90.61 percent for the same number of applications as Spain. Overall, UAE residents were granted 177,213 Schengen visas in 2023.