If you are an Indian and have a longtime dream of visiting Europe, there is a good news for you!
Visiting European countries is a dream for many. However, strict rules and delay in Visa appointment sometimes spoil the trip. However, Europe travel has become much easier now with new rules set by European Union (EU). As per modified Schengen visa regime, Indian travellers who visit frequently can obtain a multi-year visa for up to five years. This initiative is aimed to promote people-to-people contact as well as international alliances.
In this article, we will discuss about changes and opportunities with Schengen Visa.
Countries with Schengen Agreement are known as Schengen area. There are 29 European countries known as Schengen states.
These countries are: Germany, Austria, Finland, Belgium, Croatia, France, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Latvia, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
When a person gets Schengen visa, the traveller can roam around freely for short stays upto 90 days among any 180-day period. However, the traveler is not allowed to work anywhere.
Basically, Schengen Visa is approved for specific purposes including tourism, business, or visiting family.
On April 22, the EU envoy to India, Ambassador Herve Delphin announced in a post on X: “Travel to Europe made easy! The EU takes another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact with India. The new #Schengen #visa regime gives Indian frequent travellers access to a multi-year visa (up to 5 years). Europe delivers on the partnership!”
A statement issued by the EU mission in New Delhi mentioned: “On April 18, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date. This new visa ‘cascade’ regime for Indian nationals residing in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India will provide easier access to visas with multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history if the passport validity allows.”
The changes in Schengen visa rule is part of the EU-India Common Agenda on ‘Migration and Mobility’, which seeks proper cooperation on migration policy.
If you are an Indian, you can now apply for a long-term, multi-entry Schengen visa which will be initially “valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” Then, the person might be eligible for a five-year visa, “provided the passport has sufficient validity remaining.”
The new rule simplifies travel within European countries, as travellers don't need multiple visas to enter each country. This will make Europe travel more convenient and accessible.
Summer is the time when many Indians prefer visiting European countries. However, during these times, Indian travellers face issues with visa appointments to visit Schengen region. Post-pandemic, the situation became even worse. Sometimes, it took several months. With the new rules, it is believed to ease the overall process. A traveller can apply for Visa beforehand and schedule the visit.
Modified rules will surely strengthen the bonding between India and the EU while giving Indian students more opportunities and travelers more scope to explore!
