Switzerland to issue Schengen visas from UAE

by KK Moidu

Switzerland, a member of Schengen Space, will start issuing Schengen visas from the UAE from Dec.12, Swiss Counsel General Gerhard Bruegger announced on Sunday at a press conference held at Sheraton Creek Hotel, Dubai.
Swiss Consul Urs. Lustenberger, Joerg P Krebs, Director of Market of  Gulf Countries and Tawfik Melli, Market Manger GCC were also present at the press conference.
Bruegger said, "Swiss representation to issue Schengen visas in the UAE will be confirmed after a meeting of EU Minister Consuls on Nov.28. In case of any delay, it will begin on the first or second quarter of next year. Then also, the visitors will not miss the best tourist season which begins in June and remains till September."
Dubai will be the main centre for issuing visas in the UAE. Biometric visas will be issued in future after the EU decision, said Bruegger.


The main advantage of the Schengen Visa is that the traveller will have free movement in  the entire Schengen area. Territorial responsibility for visa procedures are main destination, purpose of journey, period of stay and first state of entry. The visa categories are: A, airport transit visa, B, transit visa, C, short term stay visa, D, national visa and D+C combines both.
The diversity of the landlocked mountains is the essence of Switzerland and it gives the country its unique identity. The country is best known for its financial institutions, watch making industry, its scenery and excellent network of public transportation, Swisspass, which enables the traveler to tour the whole country with a  single ticket. 

Tawfilk Melli said: "During the last nine months, more than 15 per cent of increase in tourists visiting Switzerland from the  Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc."
In order to attract more tourists from the Gulf countries, a workshop will be conducted in Saudi Arabia in February and Kuwait in May and at the ATM Dubai.