Greece Visa Abu Dhabi VFS: Cost & Timeline?

VFS Greece Abu Dhabi: Schengen Visa Application Guide

If you're applying for a Greek Schengen visa from the UAE, you'll almost certainly deal with VFS Global — the outsourced visa centre that processes applications on behalf of the Greek Embassy. Here's what actually happens at VFS Greece Abu Dhabi, what it costs, and how long it takes.

Quick answer

VFS Greece Abu Dhabi is the authorised visa application centre for Greece Schengen visas in the UAE capital. It sits inside the VFS Global centre on the 8th floor of the Al Mamoura Building B, Muroor Road. You book an appointment online, show up with your documents, give biometrics, and pay the fees. The Greek Embassy in Abu Dhabi decides the visa — VFS just handles the paperwork. Expect 15 working days for a standard short-stay decision.

Where it is and how to book

The VFS Greece Abu Dhabi centre is inside the VFS Global joint visa application hub — 8th Floor, Al Mamoura Building B, Muroor Road (15th Street), Abu Dhabi. Working hours are Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for submissions, with passport collection until 5:00 PM.

You cannot walk in. Appointments must be booked online through the official VFS Global Greece portal, and slots during summer (May–August) fill up fast. Book at least three weeks ahead if you're travelling in peak season.

Dubai and the Northern Emirates residents can use the VFS Greece centre in Dubai instead — it's usually less crowded.

Bring the appointment confirmation printed or on your phone. Security won't let you up otherwise.

What documents you need

For a standard Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa through VFS Greece Abu Dhabi, expect to submit:

• Completed Schengen visa application form, signed
• Passport valid at least 3 months beyond your return date, with 2 blank pages
• Two recent biometric photos (35x45mm, white background)
• UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months beyond return)
• Emirates ID copy
• Confirmed round-trip flight reservation
• Hotel bookings or invitation letter covering every night
• Travel medical insurance covering the full Schengen area, minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
• Bank statements for the last 3–6 months, stamped
• Salary certificate and NOC from your employer (or trade licence if self-employed)
• Cover letter explaining trip purpose

First-time Schengen applicants must give biometrics in person. If you've done it in the last 59 months for any Schengen state, you may be exempt — but the centre still often insists, so plan for the trip either way. ^[1][2]

Missing one document and they'll usually still accept the file but flag it, which delays the decision. Frankly, it's not worth the risk — bring originals and copies of everything.

Fees and processing time

Current fees for VFS Greece Abu Dhabi as of 2024:

Costs (AED, approximate)

• Schengen short-stay visa fee: EUR 90 (around AED 360), paid in AED at the counter
• VFS service fee: around AED 145
• Optional SMS updates: AED 15
• Optional premium lounge: AED 100+
• Courier return of passport: AED 40–60

Children aged 6–11 pay a reduced visa fee of EUR 45. Under 6 is free. ^[3]

Standard processing takes 15 calendar days from the date the Embassy receives your file — not the date VFS accepts it. In busy periods or if the consulate requests extra documents, it can stretch to 30 or even 45 days. Article 23 of the EU Visa Code (Regulation EC No 810/2009) sets these timelines. ^[4]

Do not book non-refundable flights before the visa is issued. This is where people slip up.

After you submit

Once biometrics are done and payment is settled, VFS gives you a receipt with a reference number. Track the file at the VFS Global Greece tracking page or via SMS if you paid for updates.

When a decision is made, VFS emails you to collect the passport — or the courier delivers it if you paid for that. You'll receive the passport back whether the visa is approved or refused. If refused, the letter explains the reason and your appeal rights, which must be filed with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs within a set window (typically 15 days).

For related UAE travel-document questions, see our visa answers hub.

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