Schengen Visa for UAE-Based Ireland Passport Holders: An Overview!

If you are an Irish individual residing in the UAE and planning to travel to the Schengen zone, you may be required to obtain a Schengen visa from your Emirate. Although not everyone is required to get a visa, people belonging to a few categories would need it mandatorily. 

In this article, we have enlisted the eligibility criteria for a Schengen visa for UAE-based Ireland passport holders, the process to apply for the visa, and visa validity. Additionally, we will also discuss the list of documents required as per the purpose of the visit and more. 

Do UAE-Based Irish Nationals Need Schengen Visas for Europe?

Here are the general requirements for the Schengen visa for Irish people residing in the UAE – 

• If a citizen of Ireland plans to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-days period, a short-stay Schengen visa would be needed
• A long-stay Schengen visa would be required if the individual plans to stay in the Schengen zone for more than 6 months

Note: UAE-based Irish individuals who have dual citizenship are allowed in the Schengen area without a visa. However, Irish people with only Ireland passports must mandatorily get a Schengen visa according to their purpose of visit.  

Requirements to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Ireland Passport Holders in the UAE

Here is the list of documents required to obtain a Schengen visa for Ireland ex-pats currently staying in the UAE –  

• Visa Application Form: Individuals must completely fill out the form with the correct details, sign it, and keep a printed copy of the same
• Photographs: Applicants must have two identical passport-sized photographs. Remember that the photographs should not be older than three months.
• UAE residence permit proof: You must have residence permit proof and make sure that it is valid for at least three months after you arrive back in the UAE
• Cover letter: You must mention the purpose of your visit to the Schengen area and all the travel details in the cover letter
• Travel itinerary: This document must have your exact flight details (date and time of travelling to the Schengen country and back) and more
• Accommodation proof: This type of document must have all the details of your stay in the Schengen zone during the visit. It can be a hostel, hotel, or rental house/apartment.
• Proof of finance during the stay: You must present valid proof of having sufficient funds and savings to support yourself in the Schengen country
• travel insurance policy: Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling to the Schengen region from the UAE on a Schengen visa
• Civil status proof: This can include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or even the death certificate of the applicant’s spouse

Employment status proof – Applicable as per the categories discussed below – 

For Employed Individuals	For Self-Employed Individuals
Employment contract Leave permission from the current employer Your bank account statement for the previous six months	A valid copy of the business licence Past six months’ bank account statement of the company

 As there are different types of Schengen visas for different purposes, here’s a list of specific documents required for different visa categories – 

For Schengen Visa for Minors

• Minor’s birth certificate
• A document of family court order in case one of the guardians has full child custody
• Schengen visa application form with both the parents’ signatures
• Valid copies of passport or other ID of both parents
• A notarized parental authorisation in case the minor is travelling alone

For Schengen Visa for Tourists

• Travellers' bank account statement for the previous six months 

For Schengen Visa for Visitors

An invitation proof stating that they have been invited to the Schengen country by their friends or relatives. Such documents can include any of the following – 

• An invitation letter signed by the person residing in Ireland
• Residence permit of the host (if applicable)
• An Electronic Guarantee Letter from the host

Additional Documents Required for Schengen Visa for Business Purposes

• An invitation letter from the concerned Irish company with its detailed address, contact number, and visiting dates of the individual
• A certificate from your employer mentioning the purpose of your visit
• Past six months' bank statement of your company
• Trade licence (both the first-issued and the renewed one)
• Memorandum and Article of Association submitted in the original certified copy 

Additional Documents Required for Student Schengen Visa 

• An enrolment certificate from the university or school the student will attend
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the enrolled university or school in Ireland 

Additional Documents Required for Medical Schengen Visa

• A medical report assigned from the hospital in your home country stating that you require medical treatment in Ireland
• Payment receipts of medical fees
• A valid confirmation report from the Irish hospital regarding your appointment

Additional Documents Required for Schengen Visa for Sports, Culture, Religious, or Film Crew Purpose

• Event details – invitation letter, tickets, and details of the event
• Documents of past participation in festivals, events, sports, and others

Additional Documents Required for Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

• Official copy of the invitation

How to Apply for Schengen Visa from the UAE?

Here is how you can apply for a Schengen visa from the UAE – 

• Check whether you require a Schengen visa, as a trip of fewer than 90 days may not require one
• Verify which type of Schengen visa you should apply for as per your nationality, duration of stay, and other factors
• As per the availability, check where to apply for the visa. You may be able to submit your visa application to an authorised visa centre, embassy, or even a consulate.
• Carefully fill out the Schengen visa application form and avoid making any mistakes  
• Gather and organise all the documents in per the format required for the Schengen visa application process
• Choose a suitable appointment date to schedule your visa interview
• Attend the interview and complete the submission of your visa application and documents
• Complete the payment of the visa application fee
• At last, wait for your application to get processed. You will be notified about your application’s rejection or approval from the concerned authority.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?

As per the guidelines stated by the Schengen visa authorities, it is mandatory to have a travel insurance policy of medical coverage of at least 30,000 Euros if you need a Schengen visa to visit the region. Apart from the legal requirements, it is nevertheless a wise option to secure yourself when travelling to another country. 

Travel insurance offers you multiple benefits such as the following –  

• Medical expenses and repatriation: An individual may meet with an accident or injuy while travelling. In such a case, your provider can cover the cost of your treatment. Apart from this, some insurance companies can also make emergency flight arrangements if you urgently need to fly back to your home country.  
• COVID-19 coverage: Nowadays, almost all travel insurance companies have started providing COVID-19 coverage to policy buyers. So if the insured person gets affected by the disease, the respective company can offer coverage for RT-PCR tests, quarantine, and the required medical treatment.
• Trip cancellation or trip curtailment: Unexpected circumstances such as technical faults, unfavourable weather conditions, or others may occur during your trip. These situations may lead to a trip getting cut short or even cancelled. At that moment, filing your travel insurance claim can help you get reimbursement for all the non-refundable expenses of your flight, accommodations, and more.
• Missed and delayed flight departures: Insured individuals also get covered against expenses occurring due to delayed, cancelled, or missed flights
• Stolen or lost luggage: Situations such as lost or stolen luggage during the trip can prove highly challenging to deal with. With your travel insurance, however, you can at least receive financial aid to make arrangements for all the lost items via replacements or duplicates for the same.
• Personal liability: Travel insurance providers can also offer coverage in case you are held responsible for any third-party damage or loss and the legal fees (if applicable). With that said, it is still important to note that travel insurance companies won’t help you with third-party coverage in case any liability was incurred due to alcohol or drug consumption.

Types of Schengen Travel Insurance Plans

Irish citizens residing in the UAE and travelling to a Schengen area can choose between two types of travel insurance – single-trip and annual multi-trip.

Refer to the following points to know the difference between them – 

• Single- Trip Travel Insurance: This type of insurance is best suited to those travelling to Schengen countries once or twice a year. These plans stay valid for a short span and cover the entire trip of the policyholder. The travel insurance policy for Ireland passport holders becomes valid from the day your trip starts and ends after you arrive back in the UAE.
• Annual Multi- Trip Travel Insurance: Ireland passport holders travelling to the Schengen region from the UAE twice, thrice, or more in a year can obtain an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. Policyholders buying this type of insurance can get coverage for all trips they make in a year, with these plans being ideal for frequent travellers. 

 Processing Time for the Schengen Visa

The processing of Ireland Schengen visa may usually take up to 15 days. However, the visa authorities can also take up to 30 days or 60 days in exceptional cases.

This can occur in the following circumstances – 

• A mass number of Ireland Schengen visas were received by the authorities
• If you have a criminal history
• Mistakes in your Schengen visa application form

When Should You Apply for Schengen Visa from the UAE?

Most countries of the Schengen region allow applicants to initiate their visa application process six months prior to the date of the journey. It is mandated to submit the visa application form at least 15 days before your date of journey. As per the visa authorities, however, the ideal time to submit the visa application is one month before you depart from the UAE. 

Fees for UAE-Based Ireland Passport Holders for Travelling for Schengen Visa

Ireland passport holders travelling to the Schengen zone from the UAE may be required to pay a certain amount of fee for the Schengen visa application process.

The fee amount varies as per the age of travellers – 

How Long is Your Schengen Visa Valid for UAE-Based Ireland Passport Holders? 

The validity of the Schengen visa would depend on the type of Schengen visa you have opted for –  

Type C Schengen visa

Also known as a short-stay visa, this type of visa can be obtained by individuals planning to stay in the Schengen zone for less than 90 days in a 180-day period.

The type C visa is further categorised into three sections – 

• Single-entry visa: This visa allows the traveller to enter the Schengen zone only once. If the individual leaves the area before the validity period expires, the visa will become invalid.
• Double-entry visa: With a double-entry Schengen visa, the visa holder can enter and leave the Schengen zone twice, after which the visa would become invalid
• Multiple-entry visa: As one may guess from the name, a multiple-entry visa allows travellers to enter and leave the Schengen area as many times as they want within the validity period. Multiple-entry type C Schengen visas can be valid for up to 5 years. However, the visa holder can have a stay of only up to 90 days in a 180-day period. 

Type D long stay Schengen visa

As reflected in its name, this type of visa allows travellers from the UAE to stay in the region for up to 1 year. Type D visas are mainly utilised by individuals for work, family, and study purposes.  

Key Takeaways

Carrying out the correct procedure to apply for a Schengen visa ensures a seamless process and prevents unnecessary troubles. Note that it is essential to check for the eligibility criteria before applying for a Schengen visa. If you are eligible, choose the visa application centre/ embassy/ consulate as per the availability in your Emirate. Always cross-check the documents required and initiate the visa application process at the earliest.

With travel insurance being one of the most crucial documents to be obtained before starting the visa application process, it is necessary to get a Schengen-compliant plan that fulfils all your travel-related requirements as well. For this, you can choose a suitable plan for your trip by visiting policybazaar.ae and moving to the travel insurance section from the ‘General Insurance’ menu. 

Getting Schengen visa travel insurance from policybazaar.ae can make the whole process remarkably convenient and rewarding. You can conveniently browse through our products, compare multiple plans, and apply for one within a few clicks. With our collection of travel insurance plans from the leading providers, you can get the best options out there at reasonable prices.

Our customer care executives are available round the clock to assist you. So if you need any information regarding a Schengen visa from the UAE for an Irish individual, travel insurance, or more, reach out to us by dialling 042472904 or sending a mail to communication@policybazaar.ae. 

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