Schengen Visa

 Schengen Visa: Recently, the European Commission introduced a “cascade” system to offer faster, long-term Schengen visas to Indian travellers with a clean visa history.

• About Schengen Visa: A short-term entry permit for non-EU nationals to visit or transit through the Schengen Area, which includes 29 European countries.

o Allows visa-free movement across member countries with no internal borders.

o Valid for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

o Issued for purposes like: Tourism, Business, Family visits, Medical treatment and Cultural/sporting events

o Not valid for employment.

o Member Countries: Includes 25 of 27 EU states (excluding Ireland and Cyprus). Also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

• About Cascade Visa System : Designed to reward frequent travellers with a clean record.

o Indian nationals who have held two Schengen visas in the last 3 years can now get a 2-year multi-entry visa.

o This can be upgraded to a 5-year visa, subject to passport validity.

o Tiered Visa Validity Structure:

ü 1-year visa: If the traveller used three Schengen visas in the previous two years.

ü 2-year visa: If they held a 1-year multi-entry visa in the previous two years.

ü 5-year visa: If they held a 2-year multi-entry visa in the past three years.