Now Multiple Entry Schengen Visa For Indian Nationals: 5 Important Points

Indian Nationals can now apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity. On April 18, 2024, the European Commission adopted specific rules, offering easier access to visas with multi-year validity for Indian nationals residing in India.

Here are 5 important points to note:

Extended Validity

Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after using two visas within the previous three years.

Potential Five-Year Visa

Following the two-year visa, a five-year visa may be granted if the passport has sufficient validity remaining.

“According to the newly adopted visa “cascade” regime for India, Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa will normally be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport has sufficient validity remaining,” an EU statement said.

Equivalent Travel Rights

Visa holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals during the validity period.

EU-India Cooperation

The decision reflects strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, emphasizing comprehensive cooperation on migration policy.

“This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with facilitation of people-to-people contacts being of key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU,” EU statement said.

Schengen Area Access

Schengen visas allow free travel in 29 European countries, including EU states and non-EU members like Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. According to European Union, the visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work.