Nationals of Saudi Arabia are now able to apply for a France Schengen visa without a prior appointment in two VFS centres.
As the Embassy of France in Riyadh has confirmed, walk-in appointments are possible in the VFS centres located in Riyadh and Dammam, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
Walk-in appointments for a France Schengen visa in these two centres are free of charge, with applicants being required only to pay the visa processing fee of €80 and the VFS service fee.
Starting May 7, 2024, Saudi nationals will be able to benefit from a walk-in service at the VFS centres in Riyadh and Dammam, free of charge and without an appointment.
In order to meet the demand, the Embassy noted that a total of 100 slots per day are available in the VFS centre in Riyadh.
On the other hand, the number of available slots per day at the VFS centre in Damman is 50.
Since these are walk-in appointments, the Embassy stressed that the appointments will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
One hundred slots in Riyadh and fifty slots in Dammam will be available each day during the opening hours of both centres. The service will be offered within the limits of the quotas set daily and in order of arrival.
The same authority stressed that all Saudis wanting to make walk-in Schengen visa appointments in these two centres must have their completed application file with them.
All Saudis Are Now Granted 5-Year Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas
The EU decided just last month to start granting five-year multiple-entry visas to passport holders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.
As EU authorities have explained, all Saudis, including those applying for the first time for a Schengen visa, will be granted visas that remain valid for a period of five years.
Any Saudi national residing in Saudi Arabia applying for a Schengen visa as of April 23, 2024, will immediately benefit from a five-year validity period provided their passport is valid, and the conditions for obtaining a visa are met.
On the basis of this type of visa, Saudis will be able to enter the Schengen Area multiple times a year without having to undergo any additional procedures.
However, they must still meet the 90/180-day rule. This means that despite holding a five-year multiple-entry visa, Saudis cannot stay in the territory of the Schengen Area for more than 90 days within any 190-day period.
