Latest news with #non-Emirati
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New Schengen Visa Rule: What UAE residents should know before their next Europe trip
New Schengen visa rule requires UAE residents to complete applications online before booking appointments/ Image: File TL;DR Starting June 18, 2025, UAE residents must complete the full Schengen visa application online before booking an appointment through VFS Global . If you try to book without submitting the form, you won't get an appointment, the system won't let you move forward. This change affects non-Emirati residents only. Emirati passport holders still get visa-free access to the Schengen zone. If you live in the UAE and you're planning to visit Europe, there's a new rule you need to follow when applying for a Schengen visa. As of June 18, 2025, the visa application process has changed. Now, you're required to fill out your entire application form online first, before you can even book an appointment. This all happens on the VFS Global portal, which handles visa processing for most Schengen countries in the UAE. Before this rule, people could grab a time slot and sort out the paperwork later. That step-by-step process is gone. It's now a single, digital-first flow. If you skip the form, you can't get a date, simple as that. The goal is to reduce appointment backlogs, improve accuracy, and make the system more efficient. But it also means travellers need to be more prepared up front, or risk delays. What Is This Change? If you're applying for a Schengen visa from the UAE, there's a new step you can't skip. As of June 18, 2025, all applicants must complete the visa application form online on the VFS Global portal before they can book an appointment. The form and the appointment now go hand-in-hand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Before, you could reserve a time slot and upload your documents later. That's no longer allowed. Now, unless you've filled out and submitted your visa form online, you won't even see available appointment times. Everything has to be done in one go. This update applies to non-Emirati residents in the UAE who need a visa to visit Europe. It's part of a shift toward faster, more accurate processing, but it means you'll need to have all your information ready upfront. Why the Change? The update is part of a broader effort to streamline the visa process. According to VFS Global, having applicants complete the form upfront helps: Reduce back-and-forth errors Improve appointment availability Speed up document processing It also gets your basic info, like personal details and travel plans, logged earlier in the process, which helps avoid issues later on. 'All applicants must complete an online Visa Application Form on our appointment booking portal when scheduling an appointment,' said the notice from VFS Global. Who Is Affected? This new step is for non-UAE nationals living in the UAE. That includes expats from India, Egypt, Philippines and other countries that require a Schengen visa You're affected if you're applying for a visa for tourism, business, medical reasons, or family visits. If you hold a UAE passport, none of this applies. Emirati citizens still enjoy visa-free travel to Schengen countries for up to 90 days. Is This the Same for Every Schengen Country? The core rule is the same, but some countries may add extra steps. Once you've submitted your form and booked your slot, some embassies, like Germany or Switzerland, might ask you to complete final submission steps through their own portals. So before you start, it's smart to check the exact visa instructions for your destination country on VFS Global or the embassy website. Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Schengen Visa Now Here's how to follow the new system: Visit the VFS Global Website: Go to and select the country you're visiting or the one where you'll spend the most time. Fill in the Visa Application Form Online: You'll need to complete your full Schengen visa form right on the booking platform. Double-check every detail, name spellings, travel dates, passport number, etc. Submit the Form and Book Your Appointment: Only after you submit the form will you be allowed to pick a date and time for your visa appointment. Get Your Documents Ready: On appointment day, bring all required documents: Your passport, a printed copy of your completed application, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, any other documents listed for your visa type Follow Embassy-Specific Instructions: Some countries may redirect you to their own visa portals (especially Germany and Switzerland). Follow those steps carefully. Pro Tips to Avoid Issues Apply early. Schengen appointments get booked quickly, especially before holidays. Don't skip the form, the system won't let you book without it. Keep documents organized. Incomplete files can delay your visa or lead to rejection. Bookmark the VFS Global portal and check for country-specific updates. FAQ 1. Can I still book an appointment first and fill the form later? No. As of June 18, 2025, you must complete and submit the form online first before you can access the calendar to book your visa appointment. 2. Do Emirati citizens need to follow this? No. UAE passport holders can travel to the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days. 3. Which countries have extra steps after VFS submission? Countries like Germany and Switzerland may require you to finalize the process on their embassy sites, even after booking through VFS Global. Always double-check the specific requirements.
Mid East Info
23-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Indian Businesses continue to top list of nationalities of new companies joining Dubai Chamber of Commerce during Q1 2025 with 4,543 new members
Pakistan came second on the list with 2,154 new members, while Egypt secured third place with 1,362 new companies. • 817 new Bangladeshi companies joined the chamber's membership, recording significant year-over-year growth of 28.5% to secure fourth place. • The United Kingdom ranked fifth in terms of new members with 678 companies. • The wholesale and retail trade sector accounted for 36.2% of new members, followed closely by the real estate, renting, and business services sector at 35.4%. Dubai, UAE – A new analysis by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has revealed that Indian-owned businesses topped the list of non-Emirati companies joining the chamber in Q1 2025. A total of 4,543 new members from India joined during the three-month period, representing year-over-year (YoY) growth of 4.4% and underlining the vital economic role played by Indian companies as Dubai's largest foreign business community. Pakistan followed in second place, with 2,154 new companies registering as members of the chamber during the first quarter of the year. 1,362 new Egyptian companies joined the chamber, placing the country third among the top nationalities of new member companies. The number of new companies from Bangladesh achieved significant year-over-year growth of 28.5%, with 817 new companies registering as members of the chamber. The United Kingdom ranked fifth with 678 new companies, while Syria secured sixth place on the list with 462 new member companies. Companies from Jordan claimed the seventh spot, with 350 new companies joining the chamber's membership. China ranked eighth on the list, with 347 new Chinese companies registering as members of the chamber. Türkiye secured the ninth spot with 329 new members, while Iraq came tenth with 303 new companies. New Corporate Sectors: In terms of the sectoral distribution of new member companies joining the chamber during Q1 2025, the wholesale and retail trade sector ranked first, accounting for 36.2% of new registrations. The real estate, renting, and business services sector came in second place, representing 35.4% of the total. This was followed by the construction sector in third place at 16.7%, and the social and personal services sector, which ranked fourth with 7.7%. The transport, storage, and communications sector secured fifth place on the list with 7.5%.
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Indian Businesses top list of nationalities of new companies joining Dubai Chamber of Commerce during Q1 2025
A new analysis by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has revealed that Indian-owned businesses topped the list of non-Emirati companies joining the chamber in Q1 2025. A total of 4,543 new members from India joined during the three-month period, representing year-over-year (YoY) growth of 4.4% and underlining the vital economic role played by Indian companies as Dubai's largest foreign business community. Pakistan followed in second place, with 2,154 new companies registering as members of the chamber during the first quarter of the year. 1,362 new Egyptian companies joined the chamber, placing the country third among the top nationalities of new member companies. The number of new companies from Bangladesh achieved significant year-over-year growth of 28.5%, with 817 new companies registering as members of the chamber. The United Kingdom ranked fifth with 678 new companies, while Syria secured sixth place on the list with 462 new member companies. Companies from Jordan claimed the seventh spot, with 350 new companies joining the chamber's membership. China ranked eighth on the list, with 347 new Chinese companies registering as members of the chamber. Türkiye secured the ninth spot with 329 new members, while Iraq came tenth with 303 new companies. In terms of the sectoral distribution of new member companies joining the chamber during Q1 2025, the wholesale and retail trade sector ranked first, accounting for 36.2% of new registrations. The real estate, renting, and business services sector came in second place, representing 35.4% of the total. This was followed by the construction sector in third place at 16.7%, and the social and personal services sector, which ranked fourth with 7.7%. The transport, storage, and communications sector secured fifth place on the list with 7.5%. WAM
Al Etihad
23-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Indian businesses dominate new company memberships at Dubai Chamber of Commerce during Q1 2025
23 June 2025 15:07 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)A new analysis by Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has revealed that Indian-owned businesses topped the list of non-Emirati companies joining the chamber in Q1 2025.A total of 4,543 new members from India joined during the three-month period, representing year-over-year (YoY) growth of 4.4% and underlining the vital economic role played by Indian companies as Dubai's largest foreign business followed in second place, with 2,154 new companies registering as members of the chamber during the first quarter of the year. 1,362 new Egyptian companies joined the chamber, placing the country third among the top nationalities of new member number of new companies from Bangladesh achieved significant year-over-year growth of 28.5%, with 817 new companies registering as members of the UK ranked fifth with 678 new companies, while Syria secured sixth place on the list with 462 new member companies. Companies from Jordan claimed the seventh spot, with 350 new companies joining the chamber's ranked eighth on the list, with 347 new Chinese companies registering as members of the chamber. Türkiye secured the ninth spot with 329 new members, while Iraq came tenth with 303 new terms of the sectoral distribution of new member companies joining the chamber during Q1 2025, the wholesale and retail trade sector ranked first, accounting for 36.2% of new registrations. The real estate, renting, and business services sector came in second place, representing 35.4% of the was followed by the construction sector in third place at 16.7%, and the social and personal services sector, which ranked fourth with 7.7%. The transport, storage, and communications sector secured fifth place on the list with 7.5%.
Hi Dubai
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Indian Businesses Lead Surge in New Dubai Chamber Memberships in Q1 2025
Indian companies topped the list of new non-Emirati businesses joining the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released data. A total of 4,543 Indian-owned firms became members, marking a 4.4% year-over-year increase and reinforcing India's position as Dubai's largest foreign business community. The analysis, conducted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, highlights growing international interest in Dubai as a business hub. Pakistan ranked second with 2,154 new companies, followed by Egypt with 1,362. Bangladesh stood out for its rapid growth, recording a 28.5% year-over-year rise with 817 new companies. The United Kingdom, Syria, Jordan, China, Türkiye, and Iraq rounded out the top ten nationalities among new member companies. In terms of business sectors, wholesale and retail trade led the way, accounting for 36.2% of new registrations. Real estate, renting, and business services followed at 35.4%, while construction made up 16.7%. Social and personal services represented 7.7%, and transport, storage, and communications comprised 7.5%. The figures underline Dubai's continued appeal to a diverse international business community, with steady growth across both nationalities and sectors. News Source: Dubai Media Office
