France Visa from Dubai: Schengen Tourist and Visit Visa for UAE Residents

France visa from Dubai and Abu Dhabi: how UAE residents apply

A France visa for UAE residents is a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa, applied for in the UAE through VFS Global. France has one visa centre in the UAE: VFS Global, The Mall, World Trade Centre (Level B2), Abu Dhabi, and residents of every emirate, Dubai included, submit there. The file is decided by the consular section of the Embassy of France in Abu Dhabi; the Consulate General in Dubai Marina does not take visa applications.

The application starts online: fill in the form on France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr), print it, book and pay the VFS appointment online (VFS service fee EUR 30.33, non-refundable), then submit the file in person with biometrics. The government fee is EUR 90 per adult (EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, free under 6). Decisions normally take up to 15 days, extendable to 45 in peak season or when more checks are needed — and in summer the appointment slot, not the processing, is the bottleneck.

Our France service (AED 799) completes the France-Visas form, books the earliest VFS Abu Dhabi appointment, checks every document against the French checklist and prepares the cover letter, day-by-day itinerary, hotel and flight reservations and EUR 30,000 Schengen insurance.

France VFS Dubai: there is no centre in Dubai, here is how to book

1. Create the application on France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr): the online form must exist before you can book. Print the form and the receipt.
2. Book VFS Global Abu Dhabi (The Mall, World Trade Centre, Level B2) on the VFS France UAE site and pay the EUR 30.33 service fee online. This is the only France visa centre in the UAE; Dubai, Sharjah and all northern emirates use it. One appointment per applicant.
3. Attend with the complete file: passport, residence visa and Emirates ID copies, photos, bank statements, employment proof, bookings, insurance, itinerary and cover letter. Biometrics are taken there and the EUR 90 fee is paid in AED.
4. Track the passport on the VFS tracker; the decision takes up to 15 days (45 in peak season), and the passport returns to VFS Abu Dhabi or by courier.

Summer and school-holiday slots fill weeks ahead, so book 6 to 8 weeks before travel. Our France service does steps 1, 2 and the file check for you.

• France-Visas form completed — filled, printed and matched to your dates and travel details.
• VFS Abu Dhabi appointment — the only France visa centre in the UAE (WTC Mall, Level B2), for residents of every emirate; earliest slot that fits your dates.
• Document check against the French checklist — bank statements, employment proof, residence validity and photos reviewed before the appointment.
• Supporting documents prepared — cover letter, day-by-day itinerary (Paris, Riviera, Alps), hotel and flight reservations, EUR 30,000 insurance valid for all Schengen states.
• Tracked until collection — we follow the file on the VFS tracker and tell you the moment the passport is back.

• Which centre: France has one visa centre in the UAE, VFS Global, The Mall, World Trade Centre, Level B2 (lower ground), Abu Dhabi. Residents of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and all six northern emirates, Dubai included, submit there (France-Visas). There is no France visa centre in Dubai.
• Online first: the application form is completed on France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr) before the appointment, then printed and brought to VFS with the documents. The printed France-Visas receipt and form are part of the file.
• Appointments are booked online and the VFS service fee (EUR 30.33 per file, charged in AED, non-refundable) is paid online at booking — no walk-ins, one appointment per applicant (a family of four needs four). VFS France helpline +971 4 205 5999, info.FranceUAE@vfshelpline.com. You may reschedule twice, up to 2 working days before the date. Slots for June–September fill weeks ahead; apply 6–8 weeks before travel. VFS advises submitting between 3 months and 2 weeks before departure.
• Who decides: the consular section of the Embassy of France in Abu Dhabi (Etihad Towers, Tower 3, 22nd floor, P.O. Box 4014, tel. +971 2 813 1000). The Consulate General of France in Dubai (Al Habtoor Business Tower, Dubai Marina) does not lodge or process visa applications.
• Government fee: EUR 90 per adult and child aged 12+, EUR 45 for children aged 6–11, free under 6, paid in AED at VFS. The VFS service fee (EUR 30.33) is paid online when you book. Our AED 799 is a separate service fee.
• Processing: up to 15 days from submission under the Schengen Visa Code, extendable to 45 days when further scrutiny is needed. Do not book non-refundable travel until the passport is back.
• Biometrics: fingerprints and photo are taken at the appointment; fingerprints collected for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months may be reused.
• Passport and residence: passport valid at least 3 months beyond your departure from the Schengen area, issued within 10 years, 2 blank pages; UAE residence visa valid at least 3 months beyond the trip.
• Insurance: EUR 30,000 minimum medical cover valid in all Schengen states for the whole trip — single-country policies are refused.
• Visa validity: up to 90 days in any 180-day period, valid in every Schengen state. France must be your main destination (most nights) or first point of entry; otherwise apply to the main-destination country.
• Emirati citizens do not need a visa for France (up to 90 days in 180).
• Decisions rest solely with the French authorities. Rules and fees change; we re-confirm against France-Visas and VFS before you pay.

• Original passport — valid 3+ months beyond your return, issued within 10 years, signed, 2 blank pages — plus a copy of the data page and previous visas.
• UAE residence visa copy and Emirates ID (both sides), valid at least 3 months beyond your return.
• Two recent passport photographs, 35 × 45 mm, white background (Schengen specification).
• Personal bank statements for the last 3 months, stamped by the bank.
• Employees: salary certificate or NOC from your employer stating position, salary, joining date and approved leave. Self-employed: trade licence and company bank statements.
• Previous Schengen, UK or US visas, if any (copies).
• Confirmed return flight reservation and hotel booking or host attestation (attestation d’accueil) covering every night.
• Travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum cover, valid in all Schengen states for the full trip.
• Day-by-day travel itinerary and a cover letter explaining the purpose and dates of the trip.
• France-Visas application form and receipt (printed) and the VFS appointment confirmation.
• For minors: birth certificate and a signed consent letter from the parent(s) not travelling.

• VFS and France-Visas forms completed and printed
• VFS appointment confirmation at the correct centre
• Personalised document checklist
• Cover letter and day-by-day itinerary
• Hotel reservation and return flight reservation
• Schengen travel medical insurance (EUR 30,000), usable for the trip