Schengen Visa:
Indian travellers with a clean visa history now have access to a fast-tracked, long-term Schengen visa under a new “cascade” system rolled out by the European Commission.
- A Schengen visa is an entry permit that allows non-EU nationals to temporarily visit or transit through the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries.
- Within this area, there are no internal borders, allowing for unrestricted movement between the countries.
- The visa is valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, which begins the day you enter a Schengen country.
- Schengen visas are issued for various purposes, such as tourism, business, visiting family, medical treatment, and participation in cultural or sporting events.
- The visas do not give the right to work.
- There are currently 29 European countries in the Schengen.
- Members of this area include 25 of the 27 EU member states (except for Cyprus and Ireland) and all members of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
- Being part of this area means that countries:
- Do not carry out checks at their internal borders, except in cases of specific threats;
- Carry out harmonize controls at their external borders, based on clearly defined criteria.
- The Cascade Visa Scheme rewards “trusted travellers” with a documented travel record.
- Indian citizens who have obtained two Schengen visas within the past three years are now eligible for a two-year multi-entry visa.
- This can later be upgraded to a five-year visa, provided their passport is valid for the full term.
