--- title: "Schengen Visa Bank Statement Translation Dubai" description: "VFS rejected your Schengen visa bank statement because the stamps are in Arabic. Which parts need translation and how to avoid resubmission." url: "https://onlinetranslation.ae/blog/schengen-visa-bank-statement-arabic/" lang: "en-AE" --- [](/blog)Back to Blog*Daily Blog* # Your Schengen Visa Application Needs Your Bank Statement Translated. VFS Won't Accept Arabic Stamps. 3 min read Summer holiday planned. Schengen visa application ready. You get your bank statement from the branch — three months of transactions, stamped and signed. The transactions are in English. But the bank stamp has Arabic text around the seal. VFS sends it back. ## What VFS actually checks VFS processes visa applications for European consulates. Their document checkers verify that every page is in English (or the consulate's language). Most UAE bank statements are bilingual — the transaction lines are English, the account summary is English, but: - The bank stamp. The circular stamp with the bank's name and branch often includes Arabic. This is the most common reason for rejection. - Arabic headers or footers. Some banks include Arabic text in the page header or footer alongside English. - Branch address. Listed in Arabic on some bank letterheads. - Handwritten notations. If a bank officer wrote anything in Arabic on the statement (balance confirmation, "to whom it may concern" notes), it needs translation. ## Which consulates are strict Requirements vary by consulate. From Dubai: - French consulate. Strict about Arabic elements. Prefers everything in French or English. - German consulate. Accepts bilingual statements but may flag Arabic-only stamps. - Italian consulate. Similar to French — clean English or translated. Rather than guessing which consulate will be lenient, translate the Arabic elements before submitting. One rejection means rebooking your VFS appointment — which could delay your trip by weeks during peak season. ## Other visa documents with Arabic Bank statements aren't the only document with Arabic surprises. [](/personal/immigration/bank)Salary certificates from UAE employers, NOC letters, and employment contracts may include Arabic text. If you're applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai, check every document for Arabic elements before your VFS appointment. Need your bank statement or other visa documents translated before your VFS appointment? Send them on WhatsApp — [+971 50 862 0217](https://wa.me/971508620217). Same-day certified translation. ## Common questions ### Do I need to translate my bank statement for a Schengen visa? If it has Arabic stamps, headers, or notations, yes. VFS requires all documents in English or the consulate's language. Arabic stamps on UAE bank statements are the most common issue. ### Which parts of the statement need translation? The bank stamp (Arabic text around the seal), Arabic headers/footers, branch address, and any handwritten Arabic notations. Transaction details are usually already in English. ### Can I use an online bank statement? Most consulates prefer stamped branch statements. Check your specific consulate's requirements — French, German, and Italian consulates in Dubai have different standards. ### VFS appointment coming up? Send your bank statement via WhatsApp. Same-day certified translation of Arabic elements. [WhatsApp Your Statement](https://wa.me/971508620217) +971 50 862 0217 [Your document concierge](/about/#concierge-model) — we review before you pay. ## Related [](/personal/immigration/bank) ### Bank Statement Translation Certified translation for visa applications [](/blog/salary-certificate-arabic-bank-uae) ### Salary Certificate Arabic salary certificates for banking [](/services/attestation) ### Document Attestation Apostille and MOFA attestation