The Schengen visa is a travel document that gives you the chance to visit 26 European countries that belong to the Schengen zone. You need to submit your visa application and supporting documents and even attend an interview to get the Schengen visa. In fact, the Schengen visa interview is an important step in the Schengen visa process. Your visa application may get rejected if your interview does not go well, even if application form and documents are in order. Hence, it is crucial to prepare for your interview by knowing the most asked questions that are asked during the Schengen visa interview.
Applying for Schengen Visa from Dubai/the UAE
If you are a citizen of UAE, you are eligible for visa on arrival in any of the 26 countries. However, if you are a resident of the UAE, belonging to a country that requires Schengen visa, you can apply for Schengen tourist visa from Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE. You would have to follow the entire Schengen visa process as followed in your home country.
What are the Common Schengen Visa Interview Questions?
Schengen visa interview questions can be quite personal, as the interviewer wants to know about your intentions of visiting the Schengen area and whether you would return to the UAE without creating any illegal problems in the Schengen country you are visiting. Here are some of the common Schengen visa interview question answers that you may be asked.
What is the purpose of your visit?
It is extremely important to be crystal clear about the purpose of your visit. Be it business, personal, tourism, or studies, ensure that you answer this question clearly. It is important to ensure the interviewer that you would not be seeking employment when in the Schengen area.
Which are the countries you are planning to visit? Why?
List the countries that you are visiting. Do some research on the countries you want to visit and name the places you are interested in seeing. You may also need to talk about why you would want to see these places, i.e. their historical or cultural significance, architecture, etc.
Where do you live?
As you are applying for the Schengen visa in UAE, you are likely to be a resident of the UAE. You need to state the city you live in (one of the 7 emirates) as well as where your home country is.
What is the name of your company? What is your role and salary?
State the name of your company, your position/role, and other general information about your work. You would also have to mention your salary.
Do you have a leave letter from your employer?
You would have to submit a copy of the leave letter along with your application form. However, it is best to have a copy of the same with you as well. Ensure that your leave letter is genuine and not fake, as the latter can land you in trouble.
Are you married? If yes, is he/travelling with you?
Answer the question simply as yes or now. If you are married, you would have to state the date and year when you got married. It is important to remember the date and year of your wedding correctly. Any hesitation or incorrect answer may be considered as dubious. If your spouse is not travelling with you, you would have to state the reason for the same as well.
Do you have children? How old are they? What do they do?
If you have children, you would be asked about their names, gender, and age. You would also have to tell what they are studying or where they are working, depending on their age.
How long are you going to stay in the Schengen zone? Are you ready to shorten your visit?
Talk about how long you have planned to stay in the Schengen area and why you need to stay for so much time. However, it is important to mention that you are ready to cut-short the trip if needed.
Do you have any relatives or friends living in the Schengen area?
If you have friends or family staying in the Schengen area, it is important to be truthful about it. Make a list of the people you know and where they stay in the Schengen area. You would also have to mention if you are planning to visit them or not.
Where will you be staying during your visit?
You will have to mention the places you would be staying when you are visiting the Schengen area. It could be a hotel, resort, or the home of your family or friends. Whatever it is, you should have a clear plan for the same.
Do you intend to work while on your trip?
The answer to this question should be no. You need to mention that you know the limitations of the visa you are applying for and would not seek for a job during your trip.
Are you visiting the Schengen zone for the first time?
Answer this question truthfully. If you have visited the Schengen zone before, you would have to list the places you visited and the reasons for the same.
How much will the journey cost you?
You need to have a clear knowledge of how much would your entire journey cost. Do some research about the same before your interview.
Who is financing your travel?
Do not get offended by this question, as the interviewer only wants to know if you have the finances to stay in the Schengen area. If you are funding your own trip, you would need to show the copies of bank accounts as proof. On the other hand, if a sponsor (parents, siblings, spouse, etc.) is going to fund your trip, you need to provide proof for the same as well.
What will you do if your visa is rejected?
You should tell the interviewer that if your visa is rejected, you would reapply for the same after rectifying the mistakes you made and would wait patiently for the problem to be resolved.
What is the guarantee that you will return to the UAE when your visa expires?
You need to assure the interviewer that you have a job, family, responsibilities, etc. back in the UAE, which would ensure that you would return to the UAE once your visa expires.
Conclusion
These are just few of the questions that you might be asked during the Schengen interview. The most important thing to remember is to be truthful, confident, and respectful during the interview. So take a deep breath, attend the interview, and get ready to have a memorable European holiday.
