Norway Warns Middle East and Pakistan Schengen Visa Applicants Against Buying Tickets Before Visa Approval

Norway Warns Middle East and Pakistan Schengen Visa Applicants Against Buying Tickets Before Visa Approval

Key Takeaways

1. The Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has instructed applicants from the UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to submit their Schengen visa applications at least 15 days before their planned travel date.
2. Applicants are advised against purchasing airline tickets until their visa application has been approved, as passports cannot be retrieved before processing is complete.
3. The embassy is currently processing applications submitted in the first half of August 2024, with a backlog of earlier visa appeals.

The Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a warning to Schengen visa applicants from the UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to apply at least 15 days prior to their intended travel date. Applicants are also cautioned not to buy plane tickets before their visa is approved, as it is not possible to retrieve passports before the application process is completed.

Schengen visa applications for Norway can be submitted up to six months in advance, but it is crucial to apply at least 15 days before the travel date. The embassy emphasizes that tickets should only be purchased after receiving confirmation of visa approval.

The embassy has announced that they are processing applications from early August 2024, primarily from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Additionally, they are addressing a backlog of visa appeals received before August 2023.

During peak seasons, visa processing times may extend up to 45 days, especially if additional information is required or if applications are forwarded to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The embassy notes that visa processing can be delayed if passports are held at the embassy rather than at the VFS, which handles client communication. The embassy does not accept phone calls or social media messages but does respond to emails written in English.

In 2023, the UAE submitted 10,691 visa applications to Norway, with 72.8% approved, including 2,673 (34.3%) for Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs).

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