Schengen visas

Source-This post on Schengen visas has been created based on the article “Indian nationals can now apply for multiple-entry Schengen visa with longer validity” published in “The Hindu” on 24 April 2024.

Why in the news?

EU has eased norms to offer Indians multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity. Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and used two visas in the past three years

About Schengen visas

1. It is an official document necessary for non-Europeans to travel to all the 29 countries which are part of the Schengen area.

Note: The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries of which 25 are EU states (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).

2. Schengen visas permits holders to freely move within the Schengen zone for short visits, capped at 90 days within any period of 180 days.

3. These visas do not authorize employment.

Significance of New Visa Multiple Entry Visa System

1. The new visa system will facilitate easier access for Indian nationals to multi-year visas. This will be available to all those with a proven travel history and provided their passport’s validity permits.

2. This measure was adopted within the framework of the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility. This aims to broaden the collaboration on migration policies between the EU and India.

3. It emphasizes the enhancement of people-to-people connections in light of India’s significance as an EU partner.

UPSC Syllabus: International relations