If you’ve been dreaming about a European getaway, good news – travelling to Germany and other Schengen countries is about to get a whole lot simpler. Germany has renewed its partnership with VFS Global, which means easier and faster visa applications for people across the Middle East and parts of Africa, including the UAE. Interested to know what that means for your travel plans to Europe? Keep reading for all the important details you need to know.
Also read: Got Travel Plans To A Schengen Country This Summer? 6 Rules You Have To Know Before Flying!
What’s Changing?
VFS Global, the company that handles visa applications for Germany, has signed a new seven-year agreement with the German Federal Foreign Office. As part of this update, they’re adding four brand-new Germany Visa Application Centres, which means their network now spans 72 centres worldwide. That’s a pretty big deal if you’re planning a trip soon, because it’ll be more convenient than ever to apply for a Schengen visa.
Where Can You Apply?
VFS Global already has several centres across the Middle East where you can apply for a German visa, including:
- Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE
- Doha, Qatar
- Manama, Bahrain
- Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Muscat, Oman
- Amman, Jordan
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Erbil, Iraq
- Algiers, Algeria
And there’s more! New centres are also opening soon in Nicosia (Cyprus), Yaounde (Cameroon), Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria), making the process accessible to even more travellers.
Tips For Planning Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit Europe, here’s a helpful tip – apply for your Schengen visa early. You can submit your application up to 6 months before your travel date, which is especially useful during busy seasons when appointment slots get booked quickly.
Watch Out For Scams (Of Course)
One important reminder from VFS Global: only use their official website when booking visa appointments. They don’t charge for booking appointments, and any required payments will always be clearly stated as part of the official process. This warning comes as part of efforts to protect applicants from fraudulent third-party services.
So, if Germany or the Schengen Zone is on your bucket list, now’s the perfect time to get that visa sorted hassle-free.
