The European Union announced changes to the Schengen Visa rules that are certain to allow for ease-of-travel for Indians to European countries. With the updated visa rules, Indian nationals will now be able to apply for multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity. Termed the ‘Cascade’ regime, it is said to provide Indian nations residing in India an easier access to Schengen visas with multi-year validity. Here's what the new rules say:
As per the new regulations, Indian nationals can obtain a 2-year Schengen Visa now. To qualify for the 2-year validity, applicants must have acquired a properly used two Schengen Visas within the preceding 3 years. Appropriate utilisation of the 2-year-visa makes the applicant eligible for a further extended 5-year visa, provided the passport also maintains adequate validity.
Basically, under the new rules, Indian travellers can move within the Schengen member countries freely for 90-days within a 180-day period without the need for further authorization or permits. The travellers with a good track record will have easy access to visas with extended validity as far as their passport allows.
It is important to note that while these visas allow for free movement, they do not allow the right to work with the Schengen area.
What is a Schengen Visa?
The Schengen area comprises of 25 European countries that allow free movement between member countries without going through border controls. These consist of 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.
A Schengen visa permits a brief stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. This visa may be issued as either a single-entry, enabling one entry into the Schengen area, or a multiple-entry, allowing multiple visits for the duration of its validity.
According to the EU’s official website, the rules have been updated in view of strengthened relations between European Union and India under EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility.