Author: waleedionic

Many UAE residents can visit Bosnia and Herzegovina without a Bosnian visa if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen, EU or US visa, or a residence permit from one of those countries. Each visit can last up to 30 days, with no more than 90 days in any 180.

A UK visa does not qualify, and neither does a UAE residence visa. Emiratis need no visa at all. Everyone else applies to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Abu Dhabi.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Bosnian Council of Ministers’ Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) visa page and reporting on the 2023 UAE–Bosnia visa agreement. Here, your passport and the visas already in it decide everything. Your UAE residence only decides where you apply if you do need a visa.

Which rule applies to you?

The visa must be valid on the day you enter. Look for “MULT” in the entries field. Carry the passport that holds the visa. If your visa is in an old passport, bring both passports.

Saudi, Bahraini and Omani citizens had a visa-free summer window from 1 June to 30 September 2025. Outside such windows, they use the Schengen/EU visa rule above.

If you need a Bosnian visa

Bosnia has no tourist e-visa. Visas are issued by its embassies and consulates. UAE residents apply to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Abu Dhabi. Contact the embassy first for an appointment and its current checklist.

Fees are from FIPA’s visa page. Ask the embassy for the amount in AED.

Documents

• Visa application form and one passport photo
• Passport with blank pages, valid well beyond your trip (allow at least 3 months)
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
• Private visit: an invitation letter from your host in Bosnia, certified by the competent Bosnian authority
• Business trip: an invitation from your Bosnian business partner, also certified
• Tourism: hotel bookings and a return flight reservation
• Bank statements, an employer letter or NOC, and travel insurance

How to plan the trip: step by step

1. Check your passport and visas against the table above.
2. If you qualify visa-free, make sure your Schengen, EU or US visa is multiple-entry and valid on your entry date. Keep each visit to 30 days or less.
3. If you don’t qualify, contact the Bosnian Embassy in Abu Dhabi at least 4 weeks before travel.
4. Visiting a host? Ask them to get the invitation certified in Bosnia early.
5. At the border, show your passport, the qualifying visa, a return ticket and your hotel booking.

Combining Bosnia with other countries

Bosnia is outside Schengen, so days there do not count towards your Schengen 90/180 limit. A common route is Croatia (Schengen) to Mostar and Sarajevo, then Montenegro or Serbia. Each border has its own rule; see the Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa.

If you enter Bosnia on your Schengen visa and then go back into Schengen, a single-entry visa is already used up. That is another reason the multiple-entry rule exists.

Questions people ask

Can I visit Bosnia with a UK visa?

Not visa-free. The list covers Schengen, EU and US visas and residence permits, not UK ones. Serbia and Montenegro do accept UK visas.

Do Emiratis need a visa for Bosnia?

No. UAE citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. The two countries signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in November 2023.

How long can I stay in Bosnia with a Schengen visa?

Up to 30 days per visit and 90 days in any 180, if the Schengen visa is multiple-entry and valid.

Is there a Bosnia e-visa?

No. If you need a visa, you apply at a Bosnian embassy. For UAE residents, that is Abu Dhabi.

Related guides

• The Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa
• Montenegro visa for UAE residents
• Serbia visa for UAE residents

Sources

• Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of BiH (Council of Ministers): Visas: information for visitors
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina: visa information (mvp.gov.ba)
• The National: UAE approves visa-free travel for Bosnia and Herzegovina (November 2023)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

Romania has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025, so a Romania visa from the UAE is now a standard Schengen visa. You fill in the online form, then hand in the application by appointment where you live:

• Dubai and the Northern Emirates: the Consulate General of Romania in Dubai
• Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: the Embassy of Romania in Abu Dhabi

The fee is €90. Romania asks for €50 per day, with a minimum of €500 for the trip.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Romanian Border Police, Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025), European Commission 2025 statistics reported by Gulf News, and the Romanian missions’ published contact details. Your UAE residence (which emirate you live in) decides where you apply; your passport decides whether you need a visa.

Romania at a glance

Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Apply where you live

Romania has two visa offices in the UAE. Apply to the one that covers the emirate on your residence visa. An application at the wrong office can be refused or sent back.

How much money do you need?

The Romanian Border Police publishes these minimums:

The €500 minimum matters for short trips: even a 4-day visit to Bucharest needs €500 (about AED 2,000), not €200. A 14-day trip needs €700.

Documents you need

• Online application form, printed and signed
• Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months after you leave Schengen, with 2 blank pages, plus copies
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (copies), valid 3 months after you leave Schengen
• Recent passport photos
• Return flight booking and hotel booking, or an invitation
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states
• Stamped bank statements for the last 3–6 months, and salary proof
• Employer letter or NOC, or a trade licence if you own the business

Ask the mission for its current checklist when you book.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Romania is your main destination and which mission covers your emirate.
2. Fill in the online application.
3. Wait for the mission to check your file and email you an appointment.
4. Attend in person with the originals, give fingerprints and pay the fee.
5. Wait for the decision, normally within 15 days. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel.

What full Schengen membership changed

• One visa for the whole area. A Romanian Schengen visa lets you travel to the other Schengen states, and a visa from another member covers Romania.
• The old shortcut has ended. Before 2025, holders of some Schengen visas could enter Romania without a Romanian visa. Now Romania simply counts as part of Schengen, and your days there count towards the 90/180-day rule.

If you are refused

Your refusal form explains the reason and how to challenge it. Under general Romanian administrative law you first ask the issuing authority to reconsider, usually within 30 days, before going to court. Follow the deadline on your letter. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Is Romania in Schengen now?

Yes, a full member since 1 January 2025, together with Bulgaria.

Where do I apply for a Romania visa in Dubai?

Residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates apply at the Consulate General of Romania in Al Safa, Dubai. Residents of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain apply at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

How much money do I need for a Romania tourist visa?

€50 per day, and never less than €500 in total.

Can I use my Romanian Schengen visa to visit Bulgaria or Hungary?

Yes, within the visa’s validity and the 90/180-day limit, as long as Romania stays your main destination.

Related guides

• Bulgaria Schengen visa from the UAE
• Hungary Schengen visa from the UAE
• Schengen proof of funds from the UAE

Sources

• Romanian Border Police: Justifying documents and means of subsistence
• European Commission: Romanian representations in the UAE
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: Multiple-entry visa rates (EC 2025 data)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Slovenia Schengen visa at the Embassy of Slovenia in Abu Dhabi, by appointment booked by email. The visa fee is €90, paid in AED, and Slovenia asks for €70 per person per day.

Slovenia is one of the most generous consulates for UAE residents. In 2025, 85.22% of the visas it issued to UAE applicants were multiple-entry, the highest share of any Schengen country.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Slovenian Embassy in Abu Dhabi (page updated 31 August 2026), Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025) and European Commission 2025 statistics reported by Gulf News. These rules come from your UAE residence. Your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t) and which fee applies.

Slovenia at a glance

VFS Global began taking Slovenian applications in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2018, but the embassy’s current visa page lists only the embassy. Ask in your appointment email whether you should go to the embassy or to VFS.

What your passport changes

Documents you need

• Signed application form, one per person. Parents sign for children under 18.
• Passport valid 3 months after you leave Schengen, issued within 10 years, with 2 blank pages
• Recent ICAO-standard photo
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay
• Proof of purpose, funds and accommodation: bank statements, employer letter or trade licence, hotel bookings and flight reservation
• Visiting someone: a guarantee or invitation letter, certified and registered at the administrative unit (upravna enota) in Slovenia

The embassy links a separate UAE supporting-documents list on its visa page. Download it before you email for an appointment.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Slovenia is your main destination. Ljubljana and Lake Bled are often combined with Croatia or Italy, so count your nights.
2. Email the consular section for an appointment, at least 15 days before travel.
3. Prepare your file using the embassy’s UAE checklist.
4. Attend in person in Abu Dhabi for fingerprints, and pay in AED.
5. Wait for the decision. If you applied less than 15 days before travel, the decision may come after your planned departure.

The embassy is closed on Slovenian and UAE public holidays, including 25 June (Statehood Day), 2 December (UAE National Day) and 25 December.

How much money do you need?

Slovenia’s daily amount is €70 per person. Children travelling with their parents need 50%, or €35 a day. You don’t need to show this amount if your stay is already covered by a sponsorship declaration, a guarantee letter or a prepaid tour package.

Example: two adults and one child for 6 days need 6 × (€70 + €70 + €35) = €1,050, about AED 4,200.

Why Slovenia gives multiple-entry visas

In 2025, 85.22% of Slovenian visas issued to UAE applicants allowed more than one entry. Every consulate still decides case by case, though. A clean travel history and earlier Schengen visas used correctly help most. See multiple-entry Schengen visas from the UAE.

If you are refused

The refusal form gives the reason and tells you how and where to appeal, and by when. The embassy’s visa page does not publish the appeal procedure, so follow your letter exactly. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Where do I apply for a Slovenia visa in the UAE?

At the Embassy of Slovenia in Abu Dhabi (Capital Plaza, Corniche), by appointment booked at consular@abudhabi.gov.si.

How much bank balance do I need for Slovenia?

€70 per adult per day, and €35 per day for a child travelling with parents.

Is Slovenia good for a multiple-entry Schengen visa?

It had the highest multiple-entry share for UAE applicants in 2025 (85.22%), but apply to Slovenia only if it is really your main destination.

Does my host in Slovenia need to register the invitation?

Yes. A guarantee or invitation letter must be certified and registered at the administrative unit in Slovenia.

Related guides

• Croatia Schengen visa from the UAE
• Austria Schengen visa from the UAE
• Schengen refusal rates by consulate

Sources

• Embassy of Slovenia, Abu Dhabi: Visa information
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: Countries most likely to give UAE residents a multiple-entry visa (EC 2025 data)
• Gulf News: VFS Global to process visas to Slovenia (2018)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

There is no Icelandic visa office in the UAE. Denmark handles Iceland’s Schengen visas here. You fill in Denmark’s ApplyVisa form online, pay the €90 visa fee there, and hand in your application at VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai makes the decision.

Iceland’s own funds rule applies: ISK 8,000 per person per day, with at least ISK 40,000 for each entry.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, the Danish Immigration Service, Iceland’s official portal island.is and Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025). These rules come from your UAE residence; your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t).

Iceland at a glance

Why you apply through Denmark

Schengen countries without a visa office in a country can ask another member to process visas for them. In the UAE, Denmark does this for Iceland. Your file goes into the Danish system and is decided by the Danish Consulate General in Dubai, but it is still a visa for a trip where Iceland is your main destination.

If you are also visiting Denmark or Norway, count your nights. Apply as an Iceland trip only if most nights are in Iceland. Otherwise see Denmark or Norway.

How to apply: step by step

1. Fill in the ApplyVisa form at applyvisa.um.dk, choosing Iceland as your main destination.
2. Pay the visa fee online in ApplyVisa.
3. Print and sign the cover letter (pages 3 and 4). For children, both parents sign.
4. Book a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi at least 15 days before travel. Download the VFS checklist for your visa type.
5. Attend, give fingerprints and pay the VFS service fee. Then wait about 15 days. The Consulate does not give status updates.

The Danish Consulate advises not to buy flight tickets until the visa is approved. Use a reservation; see flight and hotel reservations.

Documents you need

• Passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months after your return
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
• Signed ApplyVisa cover letter and a photo
• Employer letter or NOC and recent payslips
• Stamped bank statements showing regular income and enough for the trip
• Genuine flight reservation and accommodation for every night. Iceland road trips need a booking for each stop.
• Genuine travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states

The Danish Consulate has warned about a rise in fake insurance and hotel bookings. Buy and book everything yourself; a forged document means refusal and a record in the Schengen system.

How much money do you need?

ISK 8,000 is roughly €55. A 7-day trip therefore needs about ISK 56,000 (around €385) on top of flights, hotels and car hire. Iceland is expensive, so your statements should show far more than the minimum.

If you are refused

Because Denmark made the decision, you appeal under Danish rules, not Icelandic ones. Iceland’s Visa Appeals Board handles only refusals made by Iceland itself.

• Deadline: no later than 8 weeks after you receive the refusal
• To whom: the Danish Immigration Service, using its online contact form (“Short stay visa”) or by post to Farimagsvej 51A, DK-4700 Næstved
• Include: your case number, full name, nationality, the decision date and your reasons

Always follow the instructions in your own refusal letter. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Is there an Iceland embassy in the UAE?

Not for visas. Denmark processes Iceland Schengen visas in the UAE through ApplyVisa and VFS Global.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Iceland on a Schengen visa?

Yes. Iceland is in Schengen, so a normal short-stay Schengen visa covers it. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are different: they are outside Schengen and need a visa valid specifically for them.

How much money do I need for an Iceland visa?

At least ISK 8,000 per person per day and ISK 40,000 per entry, or half the daily amount if someone else pays for your stay.

How long does an Iceland visa take from Dubai?

About 15 days after you hand in at VFS, and longer around holidays.

Related guides

• Denmark Schengen visa from the UAE
• Schengen travel insurance from the UAE
• Which Schengen country to apply to

Sources

• Royal Danish Consulate General, Dubai: Schengen visa
• Danish Immigration Service: You have got a no to visa
• Iceland, island.is: Visa refusal appeal procedures
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Finland Schengen visa online at finlandvisa.fi, then hand in the application at VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The visa fee is AED 385, plus a VFS fee of AED 85. Finland expects about €50 per person per day.

Finland is popular for Lapland winter trips and the Northern Lights. December and January bookings fill early, so apply up to 6 months ahead.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi, Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the VFS Global Finland UAE page and Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025). These rules come from your UAE residence. Your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t) and which fee band applies.

Finland at a glance

What your passport changes

Documents you need

The full checklist for your trip type appears in finlandvisa.fi; you can check it without logging in. For a tourist trip it normally includes:

• Application form from finlandvisa.fi, with its appendices
• One photo with a white background
• Passport valid 3 months after your stay, with 2 blank pages
• UAE residence visa and Emirates ID
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in the whole Schengen area or worldwide, for the whole stay
• Bank statements from the last 3 months
• Employer letter or NOC with your salary and approved leave, or your trade licence
• Flight reservation. Finland advises against buying tickets before the decision.
• Hotel bookings, or an invitation letter from your host

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Finland is your main destination. A Lapland trip that flies in through another country still belongs to Finland if most nights are there.
2. Fill in the application at finlandvisa.fi and download the checklist for your trip.
3. Book a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. All applications are handed in in person.
4. Attend, give fingerprints (unless you gave them in the last 59 months) and pay the visa fee and VFS fee. Fees are not refunded.
5. Wait about 15 days. Your passport comes back to the VFS centre, or by courier for an extra fee.

How much money do you need?

Under Finland’s Aliens Act (301/2004, section 11), about €50 per person per day is considered necessary. The figure changes with your accommodation and whether someone is sponsoring you. For a 6-night Lapland trip that is about €300 (roughly AED 1,200), on top of your flights and hotel. Winter trips are expensive, so make sure your balance matches the trip you describe.

If you are refused

1. Request a review (rectification) from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs within 30 days of receiving the decision. It must be in writing, in Finnish or Swedish, and the €255 fee must be paid first.
2. Appeal to the Helsinki Administrative Court within 30 days of the review decision. The fee is €270, and the appeal must also be in Finnish or Swedish.

Because of the cost and the language rule, most UAE residents fix the problem and reapply instead. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Where do I apply for a Finland visa in Dubai?

Fill in the form at finlandvisa.fi, then hand it in at the VFS Global Finland centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. VFS takes questions on +971 4 205 5907.

How much is the Finland visa fee from the UAE?

AED 385 for adults and AED 190 for children aged 6–11, plus AED 85 for VFS.

When should I apply for a Lapland trip in December?

As early as allowed: up to 6 months before travel. Aim for at least 6–8 weeks before, because winter appointments go quickly.

Can I appeal a Finnish refusal in English?

No. The review request and any court appeal must be in Finnish or Swedish.

Related guides

• Norway Schengen visa from the UAE
• Sweden Schengen visa from the UAE
• Schengen travel insurance from the UAE

Sources

• Embassy of Finland, Abu Dhabi: Mission and visa contacts
• Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs: Requesting review of a visa decision
• VFS Global: Finland visa information, UAE
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Latvia Schengen visa at the VFS Global centres in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, for the Embassy of Latvia in Abu Dhabi. VFS has taken Latvian applications since February 2018. The visa fee is the standard Schengen €90.

Latvia has the lowest funds rule in Schengen: €14 per person per day for a stay of up to 30 days. If you are refused, you can appeal in English within 30 days.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA, PMLP), the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025) and announcements of the VFS centres. The Embassy of Latvia’s own website was temporarily offline when we checked. These rules come from your UAE residence; your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t).

Latvia at a glance

Latvia was not in the top 10 for refusals of UAE applicants in 2025.

How much money do you need?

For a 7-day trip, €14 a day is only €98 (about AED 400). But if your hotel is not prepaid, you must also show money for it. The funds must cover your whole Schengen trip and your journey home, not just Latvia. A low daily figure does not mean a weak file: steady salary credits over 3 months still matter.

Documents you need

• Application form, completed and signed
• Passport issued within 10 years, with 2 blank pages, valid 3 months after you leave Schengen
• One recent photo, 35 × 45 mm
• UAE residence visa (Emirates ID for GCC citizens)
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states
• Return flight booking and hotel booking, or an approved invitation
• Bank statements for the last 3 months and an employer letter (or trade licence)

Download the current tourist checklist from VFS before your appointment.

Visiting someone: the OCMA-approved invitation

If a person or company in Latvia invites you, they apply to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) to approve the invitation. Once it is approved and entered in the invitation register, the embassy can see it. If the invitation says your host will cover your stay, you don’t need to prove funds. See Schengen invitation letters.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Latvia is your main destination. Many Baltic trips combine Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius; apply where you spend the most nights.
2. If you have a host, ask them to get the invitation approved by OCMA before your appointment.
3. Download the current VFS checklist and prepare your file.
4. Book and attend a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Give biometrics and pay the fees.
5. Wait for the embassy’s decision, normally within 15 calendar days.

If you are refused

• To whom: the Director of the Consular Department, Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Deadline: 30 days from when you are notified of the decision
• Language: in writing, in Latvian, Russian or English
• How: in person, by post, or electronically with a secure digital signature. You sign the appeal at the Latvian mission that refused you (Abu Dhabi) or at the Consular Department in Riga.
• Decision: within 30 days. You can then go to a Latvian court, whose ruling is final.

The refusal stays in force while you appeal. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Where do I apply for a Latvia visa in Dubai?

At the VFS Global Latvia visa application centre. There is one in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy of Latvia in Abu Dhabi decides.

How much bank balance do I need for Latvia?

At least €14 per person per day for stays up to 30 days, plus the cost of accommodation and your trip home.

Can I appeal a Latvian visa refusal in English?

Yes. Write to the Director of the Consular Department within 30 days, in Latvian, Russian or English.

Is Latvia easier than other Schengen countries?

Its funds rule is the lowest, but the other requirements are the same as everywhere in Schengen. Apply to Latvia only if it is truly your main destination.

Related guides

• Which Schengen country to apply to
• Bank statement for a visa from the UAE
• Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE

Sources

• Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA): Financial means and Approval of a written invitation
• Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Appeal against refusal of a visa
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• TradeArabia: Latvia opens visa centres in the UAE with VFS Global (February 2018)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Lithuania Schengen visa at the VFS Global centres in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The Embassy of Lithuania in Abu Dhabi examines the application and makes the decision. The visa fee is €90, paid in AED, plus a VFS fee of about €17.90 in AED. Lithuania asks for €50 per person per day.

If you are refused, the only appeal is to a court in Vilnius, within 14 days and in Lithuanian.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Embassy of Lithuania in the UAE, the VFS Global Lithuania short-stay checklist (revised 8 January 2025) and Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025). These rules come from your UAE residence; your passport decides whether you need a visa (Emiratis don’t).

Lithuania at a glance

Lithuania was not in the top 10 for refusals of UAE applicants in 2025.

Documents on the Lithuanian checklist

• Online application form, signed. Your name must match the machine-readable lines of your passport exactly, or you must fill it in again.
• Passport valid 3 months after you leave Schengen, issued within 10 years, signed, with 2 blank pages. Bring the original and a copy.
• UAE residence visa valid 3 months after you leave Schengen. GCC citizens give a UAE ID card valid for the same period.
• One colour photo, taken within 6 months, white background, with the face fully visible
• Return flight booking and proof of accommodation (hotel, your own property, or a host or company that covers the costs)
• Medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states, that can be checked online
• Employees: an original employer letter with your status, position, contract length and salary, plus a copy of your work contract
• Business owners: the original valid trade licence
• Financial means, one of: payslips, an international credit card with statements, bank statements for the last 3 months, or a sponsorship form
• Purpose documents: an itinerary for tourism; an online invitation letter for business or private visits (see below)

Invitations: the MIGRIS mediation letter

Lithuania does not use a simple paper invitation for business or private visits. Your host or the inviting company submits an online mediation letter (tarpininkavimo raštas) in the MIGRIS system. For a private visit, add a copy of your host’s passport or Lithuanian residence card.

If the mediation letter says the host will pay for your stay and accommodation, it can replace your own proof of funds. See Schengen invitation letters.

Children

• Under 18: both parents sign the application, with copies of both parents’ passports and a no-objection letter.
• Travelling without parents: an original authorisation signed by the parents in front of a visa officer, or legalised.
• A child travelling with an adult family member does not need to show separate funds.

More in Schengen visas for children.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Lithuania is your main destination. On a Baltic trip, apply to the country where you spend the most nights.
2. Ask your host to file the MIGRIS letter, if you are visiting someone or travelling for business.
3. Fill in the online form, print it and sign it.
4. Book and attend a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Give a photo and 10 fingerprints (copied if you gave them in the last 59 months) and pay in AED.
5. Wait for the embassy’s decision, usually within 15 calendar days.

How much money do you need?

Under the Lithuanian Foreign Minister’s Order No. V-227 of 4 July 2023, you need €50 per person per day. For a 7-day trip that is €350, roughly AED 1,400, on top of flights and accommodation.

If you are refused

• Where: the Regional Administrative Court in Vilnius. There is no appeal to the embassy.
• Deadline: 14 days from the day you receive the decision
• Language: Lithuanian. Documents in other languages must be translated and approved.
• Court fee: €30, or 75% of that if you file only electronically

In practice you will need a Lithuanian lawyer or translator. For most refusals, fixing the problem and reapplying is faster. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Is there a Lithuanian embassy in the UAE?

Yes, in Abu Dhabi. It decides the applications, while VFS Global collects them in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

How much bank balance do I need for Lithuania?

€50 per person per day, shown with 3 months of bank statements or payslips. A host’s MIGRIS letter can cover this instead.

Do I need my work contract for a Lithuania visa?

Yes. Employees give an original employer letter and a copy of their work contract.

How long do I have to appeal a Lithuanian refusal?

14 days, to the Regional Administrative Court in Vilnius, in Lithuanian.

Related guides

• Which Schengen country to apply to
• Salary certificate and employer letter for Schengen
• Schengen travel insurance from the UAE

Sources

• Embassy of Lithuania in the UAE: Visas
• VFS Global: Lithuania short-stay checklist, UAE
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: New visa application centres for Lithuania in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for an Estonia Schengen visa at the VFS Global centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have taken Estonian applications since December 2022. The visa fee is AED 379, plus a VFS fee of AED 69. Estonia asks for €70 per person per day. It is also one of the strictest consulates for UAE residents: in 2025 it refused 46.4% of 468 UAE applications.

If you are refused, you have only 10 days to appeal, and the appeal costs €160.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the VFS Global Estonia UAE page, Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025) and European Commission 2025 statistics reported by Gulf News. These rules come from your UAE residence. Your passport decides whether you need a visa and which fee band applies.

Estonia at a glance

What your passport changes

Documents you need

• Online application form, printed and signed, brought to your appointment
• Passport issued within 10 years, with 2 blank pages, valid at least 3 months after the visa ends
• Two photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months
• UAE residence visa valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay
• Proof of funds: bank statements showing at least €70 for each day
• Employment proof: an employer letter (NOC) with your job, salary and approved leave, or a trade licence if you own a business
• Return flight and hotel bookings, plus your itinerary
• Visiting family or friends: an invitation from your host in Estonia

VFS publishes separate checklists for tourism, business, family and friends, medical, sport and culture trips, and for family members of EU citizens. They are labelled “July”, so check the date on the one you download.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Estonia is your main destination (most nights, or the main purpose). Estonia is often combined with Finland, Latvia or Lithuania, so count your nights carefully.
2. Book a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Every applicant needs their own appointment, including children.
3. Fill in the online form, print it and sign it.
4. Attend in person, give fingerprints and pay in cash (AED) or by card. Fees are not refunded after a refusal.
5. Wait at least 15 calendar days. The day you apply is not counted.

How much money do you need?

Estonia’s rule is €70 per person for each day of your stay. For a 7-day trip that is €490, roughly AED 2,000, on top of flights and accommodation. A family of three on the same trip should show about €1,470.

If you are refused: the 10-day appeal

Estonia shortened its appeal deadline in 2025. Read your refusal letter the day you receive it.

• Deadline: 10 days from receiving the decision. It cannot be extended.
• Fee: €160. It must reach the Ministry’s account by the deadline (reference number 2900073630), or the appeal is not accepted.
• Where: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islandi väljak 1, 15049 Tallinn, Estonia, using the official appeal form. Send it by post, or by email only if it has a digital signature recognised in Estonia.
• Decision: within 30 days of registration
• Next step: a complaint to the administrative court within 10 days of the appeal decision

Because a UAE resident cannot easily get an Estonian digital signature, the appeal will usually go by courier. With only 10 days, a new application with the problem fixed is often the more practical choice. See the refusal letter explained.

Questions people ask

Where do I apply for an Estonia visa in Dubai?

At the VFS Global Estonia visa application centre. There is one in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi.

How much is the Estonia visa fee in AED?

AED 379 for adults and AED 189 for children aged 6–11, plus AED 69 for VFS. Some nationalities pay AED 147 under EU agreements.

How much bank balance do I need for Estonia?

At least €70 per person per day of the trip, plus enough to cover flights and accommodation.

Can I appeal an Estonia visa refusal?

Yes, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn within 10 days, with a €160 fee.

Related guides

• Which Schengen country to apply to
• Schengen proof of funds from the UAE
• Schengen refusal appeals from the UAE

Sources

• Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Application for a Schengen visa and Appeal against refusal
• VFS Global: Estonia visa information, UAE
• Tourism Breaking News: VFS Global brings Estonia visa services to UAE residents (December 2022)
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: Refusal rates (EC 2025 data)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Luxembourg Schengen visa to the Embassy of Luxembourg in Abu Dhabi. VFS Global publishes the Luxembourg checklists and fees for the UAE. The visa fee is AED 385 for adults, plus a VFS service fee of AED 106.53. Luxembourg is one of the hardest Schengen visas for UAE residents: in 2025 it refused 48.5% of UAE applications, the second-highest rate after Bulgaria.

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Embassy of Luxembourg in Abu Dhabi, the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the VFS Global Luxembourg UAE page and checklist, Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025) and European Commission 2025 statistics reported by Gulf News. The rules below come from your UAE residence; your passport changes only whether you need a visa at all (Emiratis don’t).

Luxembourg at a glance

Where to apply

Two official sources say different things, so check both before you book:

• The Embassy of Luxembourg in Abu Dhabi says applications are made at the consulate by appointment. You request an appointment by email at abudhabi.consular@mae.etat.lu (phone +971 2 207 9999, Monday–Friday, 9 am–12 pm).
• VFS Global publishes Luxembourg checklists for Abu Dhabi, visa fees in AED and a service fee, which means it takes Luxembourg applications in the UAE.

Email the embassy first and ask which route applies to your trip. Keep the reply with your file.

Apply to Luxembourg only if it is your main destination: where you spend the most nights, or the main reason for the trip. If you are visiting several countries, see which Schengen country to apply to.

Documents for a tourist or family visit

From the VFS Luxembourg checklist for Abu Dhabi. All documents must be on A4 paper, in English or with a sworn English translation.

• Application form, completed, dated and signed
• One colour photo, 35 × 45 mm, white background, pasted (not stapled) on the form
• Passport valid 3 months after your return, issued within 10 years, with 2 blank pages. Add a copy of the data page and of any earlier Schengen visas.
• UAE residence visa valid 3 months after you leave Schengen. GCC citizens can give a UAE ID card instead.
• Employees: an original employer letter with your position, contract length and salary, plus a copy of the company’s valid trade licence
• Business owners: your valid trade licence
• Bank statements for the last 3 months, original, stamped and signed by the bank, plus your last 3 payslips
• Return flight booking. The embassy says it does not need a confirmed, paid ticket.
• Hotel booking, proof of property, or your host’s invitation letter covering the whole stay
• Full travel itinerary
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay. For a multiple-entry visa, you also sign a declaration covering later trips.

Staying with family or friends who will pay for you? Luxembourg uses a formal obligation letter (sponsorship form). Your host signs it in Luxembourg and adds their last 3 payslips or other proof of income. It must be no older than 6 months when you apply. See Schengen invitation letters.

How to apply: step by step

1. Confirm that Luxembourg is your main destination and that your UAE residence will be valid 3 months after you leave Schengen.
2. Email the embassy to confirm where to hand in (embassy appointment or VFS).
3. Prepare your file on A4 paper, in the checklist order, with stamped bank statements.
4. Attend your appointment, give fingerprints (unless you gave them in the last 59 months) and pay the fees. Fees are not refunded if you are refused.
5. Wait for the decision: usually 15 calendar days, up to 45. Track it as described in tracking a Schengen application.

How much money do you need?

The embassy does not publish a minimum. The EU’s list of reference amounts says Luxembourg uses the daily minimum wage for an unskilled worker, about €67 per person per day. For a 7-day trip that is about €470 (roughly AED 1,900) on top of flights and accommodation.

Why refusals are high, and how to appeal

Luxembourg receives few UAE applications, and many are trips where Luxembourg is not clearly the main destination. Before you apply, make sure your itinerary, hotel nights and funds all point to Luxembourg. The refusal form lists the reason; see the refusal letter explained.

• Administrative appeal: a formal letter with your handwritten signature, within 3 months of the refusal, to the Passport, Visa and Legalisation Office (service.visas@mae.etat.lu, 6 rue de l’Ancien Athénée, L-1144 Luxembourg). Late or unsigned appeals are not reviewed.
• Court appeal: before the Administrative Tribunal, within 3 months, filed by a lawyer.

A fresh application with the gaps fixed is often faster than an appeal. See Schengen refusal appeals from the UAE.

Questions people ask

Is there a Luxembourg embassy in the UAE?

Yes. The Embassy of Luxembourg is in Abu Dhabi, and it handles Schengen visa applications from UAE residents.

How much is the Luxembourg visa fee in AED?

AED 385 for adults and AED 195 for children aged 6–11 on the VFS page, plus the AED 106.53 VFS service fee. Children under 6 pay no visa fee.

Do I need a paid flight ticket for Luxembourg?

No. The embassy says it does not require confirmed air tickets; a reservation is enough.

How long does a Luxembourg visa take from the UAE?

Normally up to 15 calendar days after the embassy receives a complete file, and up to 45 days in some cases. Apply at least 4 weeks ahead, or 6 weeks between March and June.

Related guides

• Belgium Schengen visa from the UAE (a common combined trip)
• Schengen visa checklist for UAE residents
• Schengen refusal rates by consulate

Sources

• Embassy of Luxembourg in Abu Dhabi: Short-term Schengen visa
• Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa and immigration (appeals)
• VFS Global: Luxembourg visa information, UAE and tourist and family checklist (Abu Dhabi)
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: Refusal rates (EC 2025 data)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.

UAE residents apply for a Slovakia Schengen visa through VFS Global, using the list issued by the Slovak Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Slovakia asks for €56 per person per day. Its checklist has rules most countries don’t:

• First-time Schengen travellers must show fully paid flights and hotels, not just reservations.
• Some nationalities (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, Vietnam) need an invitation verified by the Slovak police. Tourist visas are not accepted from them.

In 2025 Slovakia refused 31.5% of UAE applications (of 1,110).

Checked on 5 November 2026 against the Slovak Embassy’s UAE checklist on VFS Global, Annex 18 of the EU Visa Code Handbook (July 2025) and European Commission 2025 statistics as reported by Gulf News. Your passport matters a lot for Slovakia, because of the nationality rules.

Slovakia at a glance

Rules that depend on your passport

Pakistani and Bangladeshi residents of the UAE who want a holiday in Slovakia will usually find that another Schengen country, where they genuinely spend most nights, is the only workable route.

Documents on the Slovak checklist

• Passport valid at least 3 months after the visa expires, issued within 10 years, with 2 blank pages
• One colour photo, 3.5 × 4 cm, white background, taken within 6 months
• UAE residence visa or Emirates ID, valid 3 months after you leave Schengen
• Bank statements: originals for the last 3 months, stamped and signed by the bank. If you submit other statements, add your salary account statement too.
• Using a spouse’s or parent’s money: their statements plus a notarised letter of financial support
• Employees: an original HR letter, signed and stamped, with your job title, start date, monthly income and approved leave dates
• Business owners: an original valid trade licence, with an English translation if it is in Arabic
• Travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states, signed and stamped by the insurer
• Return flight booking. First-time Schengen travellers need a fully paid ticket.
• Hotel booking with proof of payment. First-time travellers need fully paid accommodation.
• Photocopies of everything, plus the originals, in English or with certified translations

Children

Minors need written authorisation from their parents. The Slovak checklist says the application cannot be accepted if one parent is abroad, so plan for both parents to be available in the UAE. Children under 12 don’t give fingerprints. See Schengen visas for children.

How to apply: step by step

1. Check that your nationality can apply for your purpose, using the table above.
2. Confirm that Slovakia is your main destination.
3. Book a VFS appointment, within 90 days and at least 15 days before travel.
4. If this is your first Schengen visa, pay for your flights and hotels in advance, using refundable fares where you can.
5. Attend, give biometrics and pay the fees. Fees are not refunded after a refusal or withdrawal.

How much money do you need?

Slovakia’s reference amount is €56 per person per day. For a 10-day trip that is €560 (about AED 2,250) in spending money, on top of your paid flights and accommodation. Your 3-month statements should show this comfortably, with regular salary credits.

Questions people ask

Can Pakistanis in the UAE get a Slovakia tourist visa?

According to the Slovak UAE checklist, no. Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Iranian, Moroccan and Vietnamese nationals need a police-verified invitation, and tourist applications are not accepted.

Do I need a paid ticket for a Slovakia visa?

Only if this is your first Schengen visa. First-time travellers need fully paid flights and accommodation; others can show reservations.

How much money do I need for a Slovakia visa?

At least €56 per person per day, plus flights and accommodation.

How early can I apply for a Slovakia visa?

The Slovak checklist says no more than 90 days before travel, and at least 15 days before.

Related guides

• Schengen visa from the UAE by nationality
• Flight and hotel reservations for a Schengen visa
• Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE

Sources

• Embassy of Slovakia in Abu Dhabi, via VFS Global: Schengen visa checklist
• EU Visa Code Handbook, Annex 18: Reference amounts (31 July 2025)
• Gulf News: Refusal rates (EC 2025 data)

Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.

Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com and it will be fixed and logged.