Indian citizens will now be eligible to apply for longer-validity Schengen visas with multiple entries thanks to changes made to the EU’s visa regulations. Twenty-nine European nations, including Croatia, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Germany, are accessible to holders of the Schengen visas.
The EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility states that the regulations have been amended in light of the improved ties between the EU and India. This information is available on the official website of the EU.
Given the significance of India as an EU partner, this agenda aims to facilitate complete collaboration between the European Union and India on migration policy, with a particular focus on facilitating people-to-people relations.
Which regulations have changed?
The ‘cascade’ system, which was agreed by the European Commission on April 18, 2024, establishes new guidelines for Indian countries applying for Schengen visas.
According to reports, this new system will make it simpler for citizens of Indian countries living in India to obtain multi-year Schengen visas.
As per the recently implemented “cascade” visa policy for India, citizens of India are eligible to apply for and be granted long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas that are valid for two years, provided they have legally secured and utilized two visa in the preceding three years.
If there is still enough validity on the passport, the two-year visa will usually be followed by a five-year visa. The validity period of these visas allows their holders to travel with the same freedoms as citizens of other countries.
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is an authorization to enter nations that are a part of the Schengen area for a brief, transitory stay. It gives the owner unrestricted travel rights inside the region for a maximum of ninety days within a 180-day period.
Interestingly, Schengen visas are not purpose-limited, but they also do not confer employment rights.
Which nations in Europe are part of the Schengen region?
Along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden.
