Indian nationals can now apply for multiple-entry Schengen visas with longer validity

European Union adopts more favorable rules for Schengen visas for Indians. As per the announcement of 18 April 2024, Indian nationals will be able to get multiple Schengen visas. These new visa “cascade” rules are more favorable for Indians (who live in India) than the previously applied standard Schengen visa codes.

The EU has concluded this decision upon the successful cooperation of the EU-India agenda on Migration and Mobility. This agenda seeks comprehensive cooperation between two partners with a key focus on people-to-people contacts, reports a press release of the EU Commission.

What is a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa

A multiple Schengen visa is of either 2 or 5 years of duration. According to the “cascade” visa regime for Indians, the Multiple entries Schengen visa can be granted to Indian citizens upon:

proofs of established travel history such as the applicant has used previously issued two Schengen visas lawfully in the last 3 years;
and if the passport validity allows it.

After the expiry of the 2-year multiple entry visa, if the applicant applies again for the Schengen visa, they may be granted a 5-year validity visa.

This visa allows its bearer to enjoy travel rights like visa-free nationals do. According to the latest available Schengen visa records, almost 297,000 Indian nationals were issued Schengen visas in 2022.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa grants permission for short-term visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It may be a single-entry visa for one trip or a multiple-entry visa for multiple trips. It is indeed the most famous visa in the world for a short period. According to Eurostat, almost 6 Million Schengen visas were alone issued in 2022.

The Schengen visa is valid for the 29 Schengen member zone countries which are:

Austria	Greece	Malta,	Slovakia
Belgium	Iceland	Netherlands	Slovenia
Croatia	Italy	Norway	Spain
Denmark	Latvia,	Poland	The Czech Republic
Estonia	Liechtenstein,	Portugal	Hungary
Finland	Lithuania	Sweden	Germany
France	Luxembourg	Switzerland	Romania
Bulgaria