The European Union has implemented fresh visa regulations for citizens of India, providing extended, multiple-entry visas that are valid for a maximum of five years under the ‘cascade’ system.
The European Commission has announced that the recently implemented visa ‘cascade’ system for India offers a more favourable structure compared to the previous visa code regulations. This arrangement allows individuals to acquire long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas that remain valid for a duration of two years, provided they have successfully obtained and utilized two visas within the last three years.
Schengen visas enable free movement within the Schengen area for brief visits, allowing up to 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. These visas are not limited by purpose but do not grant the right to work.
The prolonged validity is granted after acquiring and using two visas lawfully within the last three years. Those who possess these visas will have the same travel privileges as visa-free individuals for the entire duration of their validity. The European Commission stated stated that after the two-year visa, a five-year visa will typically be issued if the passport has enough remaining validity. Throughout the validity of these visas, holders will benefit from travel rights similar to visa-free nationals.
The EU’s statement also emphasized that their decision is in line with the strengthening connections highlighted in the EU-India Common Agenda on migration and mobility. This agenda seeks to foster extensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India.
The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries, which includes 25-member states of the European Union. These member states are 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. In addition to these countries, the Schengen area also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
