Original Documents or Photocopies? What to Bring to Your Schengen Visa Appointment in Dubai

Few things cause more last-minute stress than arriving at a visa centre and being told a document is in the wrong format. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi the problem is rarely the document itself. It is usually a question of original or copy, stamped or unstamped, printed or on a phone. This guide sets out a sensible way to prepare, with the caveat that the exact rules belong to each consulate, and they do change.

Why the answer is not the same for every country

Each Schengen country sets its own checklist, even though the legal framework is shared. Spain uses BLS International, many other countries use VFS Global, and some handle parts of the process directly. France, Italy, Germany and others also differ in how many photocopies they ask for and whether they want documents in a specific order. Start from the official checklist of the destination you are applying to, and confirm any point you are unsure about with the centre. The document checklist generator gives you a tailored starting list.

A practical guide: original, copy or both

Use this as a planning table, not as a rule. Where a row says “usually”, the consulate checklist always wins.

Photocopies: how many and how to arrange them

Because the requirement varies, the safest habit is to prepare two clean sets of copies on plain white A4: one for the officer and one spare. Use single sided copies unless told otherwise, and do not staple unless the checklist says so. Put the documents in the exact order of the official list and place a paper clip on each group. A tidy file is easier to process, and a tidy file leaves less room for the small mistakes that lead to requests for additional documents.

Common mistakes we see at the appointment

Old documents

Bank statements and employer letters that are too old are often rejected. Request them close to your appointment date, and check how recent the centre expects them to be.

Names that do not match

If your name is spelled differently on your passport, your ticket and your bank statement, expect questions. Our guide on name mismatches explains how to handle it before you apply.

Documents only on the phone

Do not rely on a phone screen. Print everything, and keep a digital backup in case you need to reprint.

Missing translations

Documents in languages other than English or the destination language may need a translation. Ask the centre before you pay for one.

Arriving with a partial file

Submitting an incomplete file can lead to a refusal or a request for more documents, and the fees are not returned, as we explain in our guide to whether the Schengen fee is refundable.

On the day of your appointment

Arrive early with your appointment confirmation, your passport and Emirates ID. After you submit, you will give your biometrics if required. Read what to expect in what happens at VFS Dubai biometrics, and afterwards follow your application using our note on tracking and passport collection. If anything on your file is later questioned at a European airport, see our guide to border refusals and cancelled visas.

How Visa Doctor helps

We check every document against the specific consulate checklist, flag anything that is out of date or inconsistent, and tell you what to print and in what order. We do not issue visas and cannot promise an outcome, but we can make sure that the file you hand over is complete. Learn more about our visa services in Dubai.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change frequently. Always confirm current requirements on the official government or consulate website before booking travel. Visa Doctor is a licensed private service provider (SPC Free Zone 4417571.01) and is not a government authority; we do not issue visas.