The European Commission has introduced a new visa regime for Indian nationals, offering longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas based on travel history to address delays in visa processing. The new policy allows for a two-year multiple-entry visa after obtaining and using two visas in the previous three years, with a potential for a five-year visa for passports with adequate validity. The holders of these extended visas enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries, where the extended visas can be used. These visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only, offering flexibility for travel within the specified period. Indications show that the new visa rules aim to standardize the issuance of long-term visas across Schengen states, addressing complaints of varying processing times and subjective issuance of visas.
Industry players in the Indian outbound travel sector have welcomed the new Schengen visa rules, highlighting the lack of a standard policy for issuing long-term visas in the past. While countries like Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy, and Spain have issued long-term visas, it was not consistent. The new policy sets a standard rule for the issuance of extended visas, which should benefit corporate travelers and address concerns about visa processing delays.
The motivation behind the move by the European Commission to introduce the new visa regime is attributed to administrative capacity constraints at embassies, catering to a high volume of visa applications from Indian travelers. The decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aiming to foster comprehensive cooperation on migration policy and facilitate people-to-people contacts. Additionally, the decision acknowledges India’s economic importance as a tourism market and the potential economic benefits derived from Indian tourists.
While industry players have noted that processing times may not change immediately, the new visa rules are expected to streamline the visa application process and enhance the experience for Indian travelers. The extended visas offer added convenience and flexibility for travelers, making it easier to plan trips to the Schengen area without facing the hurdles of lengthy visa processing times. Overall, the new visa regime signifies a proactive effort by European authorities to boost tourism flow from India and strengthen ties between the EU and India. With the potential economic benefits and increased ease of travel, the move is seen as a positive development for both Indian travelers and the European tourism industry.
