The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a warning to visa applicants from the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Applicants are advised to submit their Schengen visa applications at least 15 days before their intended travel dates. In a recent press release, the Embassy emphasized that travelers should not purchase airline tickets until their visa application has been approved. Once an application is in process, passports cannot be withdrawn, according to Schengen.News.
Applicants are allowed to apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before their travel date. However, it is crucial to apply at least 15 days in advance. The Embassy stresses the importance of waiting for visa approval before booking flights.
Current Processing Status
The Embassy has announced that applications submitted in the first half of August 2024 are currently being processed. The majority of these applications are from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Additionally, visa appeals received before August 2023 are also being reviewed, indicating a backlog.
Processing Times and Application Caps
During peak visa application periods or when additional information is required, processing times can extend up to 45 calendar days. This duration also applies when applications are forwarded to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
The Embassy has set a cap on the number of visas issued during high season. They also noted that visa applications will remain pending until the applicant’s passport is returned from the Embassy. Communication with the Embassy is conducted via email in English; phone calls and social media inquiries are not accepted.
Despite extended waiting times during peak seasons, the Embassy aims to provide responses before the stated travel dates, provided all necessary documents are submitted.
Visa Statistics
In 2023, applicants from the United Arab Emirates submitted a total of 10,691 visa requests to Norway. Of these, 72.8% were approved, with 2,673 (34.3%) granted as Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs).
