Europe Travel Update: Schengen Visa Delays & New Entry Rules For UAE Residents

I hope this news doesn’t pull the breaks on your travel plans, but if Europe was on your bucket list for this year, you may want to keep reading. Starting this November, the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) will be launched. And along with these new travel rules, right now there are still Schengen Visa delays happening all summer long. Travellers have reported waiting for months before being able to get their visa interviews. These delays are not limited to Europe – UAE residents have also reported wait times of over a year to get their US visas as well. However, once you’ve finally secured your visa, the new EES will come in very handy. So, come with me, and I’ll tell you why EES is bringing you one step closer to Europe.

Also read: How To Apply For European Entry From The UAE – A Complete Schengen Visa Guide

What Is The Entry-Exit System?

The EES is an automated IT system that tracks your every entry and exit from the Schengen Area. Whether you’re flying from the UAE to Greece or crossing into Spain by road, this system will record your date and place of entry and even collect your biometric data. Say goodbye to the days of passport stamps because this new system aims to streamline border control and detect overstayers and identity fraud efficiently. When you first register, you’ll need to provide your fingerprints and facial biometric data. On your next trips (within 3 years), it’s usually just a quick facial scan. Each new visit refreshes your data for another three years—until your passport expires. If you get a new passport, it’s time for a new registration. (However, smaller airports in more localised European towns are less likely to be fully prepared with this new system.)

Also read: Travel Sale: Get Huge Flight Discounts With These Top 4 UAE-Based Airlines This Summer

What’s Next? The ETIAS

The EES is just the beginning. By mid-2025, get ready for the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). It’s Europe’s equivalent to the US ESTA and British ETA. From mid-2025, all non-EU visitors will need to apply online for this AED 29 travel permit. Valid for 3 years, it covers short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers alike, impacting around 1.4 billion people from over 60 countries.

Travelling To Europe With ETIAS

ETIAS is not a visa, but you’ll need it to enter 30 European countries. Apply in advance, pay the fee, and you’re good to go for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Easy peasy. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Personal details
• Passport information
• Employment information
• Active students will require the name of their school
• Disclosure of any serious convictions from the past 20 years
• Travel itinerary (mention – where you are visiting and where you are staying)

The ETIAS website advises travellers to apply “well in advance.” ETIAS kicks off in mid-2025 with a 6-month grace period.

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