Long Schengen waits leave UAE families in holiday limbo

For UAE residents, the question hanging over this year’s National Day break is not simply where to travel, but whether the paperwork will arrive in time. Schengen visa appointments are stretching to as long as two months, and the official length of the holiday remains unannounced. Many families are left waiting before they can commit to any plan, a delay that shapes how many people will spend one of the year’s most anticipated breaks.

The practical impact on everyday travellers is considerable. Travel agents report that appointments for some Schengen countries are now available only after 45 days, while others can take up to two months. Because the National Day break falls on a Wednesday this year, many residents are turning instead to destinations where visas are easier to secure and trips can be arranged without a long wait. The uncertainty over the break’s length adds another layer of difficulty, and some travellers are holding off on booking flights and hotels until the holiday dates are confirmed.

For the travelling public, the consequences are tangible: holidays planned around family time and rest are now being reshaped by administrative timelines rather than personal preference. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wise Fox Tourism, said the long wait for Schengen appointments was changing where people were looking to travel. “For some Schengen countries, appointments are available after 45 days, while for others, the wait can stretch to two months,” he said. “The visa process itself also takes time. Many UAE residents are now looking eastwards and choosing countries where the process is easier.”

According to Subair, Vietnam and other destinations in Southeast Asia are attracting interest, while Sri Lanka remains popular among UAE travellers. Montenegro is also emerging as an option for residents seeking a European-style break without the same visa concerns, and Seychelles is drawing interest among those looking for a more luxurious beach holiday.

Meanwhile, the public’s appetite for clarity is evident in the enquiries reaching travel companies. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said National Day is usually one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and residents have already started asking about packages and visa requirements. “People are looking for getaways where the visa process is easy and does not take long,” he said. “Georgia, Armenia, and other nearby countries are among the destinations seeing demand. Thailand is also popular because of its visa-on-arrival option. Malaysia, Indonesia and China are being considered by travellers who want visa applications that can be completed within a few days.”

Despite the uncertainty, agents said enquiries are picking up, particularly for short winter getaways to destinations offering visa-free entry, visa on arrival or faster visa processing. Travel companies have already started releasing National Day packages, giving residents choices available before the holiday dates are confirmed. Holiday Factory is listing trips to Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, along with Thailand, Albania and the Maldives.

The packages listed on its website mainly run from late November to early December, with stays ranging from three to six nights. Prices start from Dh2,799. Many of the options are built around the winter season, including snow and mountain stays in Georgia and Armenia, while other packages offer beach breaks in destinations such as Thailand and the Maldives. The packages reflect what residents are looking for: short flights, cooler weather and an easier visa process. Nearby countries also make it easier for families, friends and couples to plan a quick holiday.

For residents weighing their options, coverage of the shifting travel landscape is available at https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/schengen-visa-delays-push-uae-residents-seek-alternatives-national-day-trips-2026, where the details of appointment waits and alternative destinations are set out.

The deciding factor, agents suggest, rests with the authorities who announce the holiday calendar. Subair said the official announcement of the holiday period could be the turning point for bookings. “Many people are waiting to know how many days they will get,” he said. “Once the holiday is announced, we expect bookings to rise quickly.” Until then, residents continue to plan around two unknowns: the wait for an appointment and the wait for an answer.