Latest news with #SchengenVisaCode
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business Standard
Schengen visa in 4 days? Indian couple gets 5-year multi-entry via cascade
Have you visited Europe before on a Schengen visa? If yes—and if you have a clean travel record—you could now be eligible for a longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visa under the EU's new 'cascade' regime. Recently, a couple on Reddit shared their experience of successfully securing a 5-year Schengen visa from France. According to them, their application was processed in just four working days at the French consulate in Bengaluru. 'Sharing my experience for those curious about the cascade regime—it seems to be finally working well, at least in France's case!' they wrote. The Indian passport holder explained that they had travelled to 32 countries in total, including three previous trips to the Schengen area with visas issued by Germany and Spain. Their most recent visa from Spain was only valid for 45 days. This time, they submitted a detailed application including: • A cover letter requesting a longer-validity visa • Copies of all pages from both their old and new passports • A 10-day France travel itinerary • Two years' income tax returns • Three months of payslips and bank statements • All standard documents typically required for a Schengen tourist visa They also mentioned their prior Schengen travel history in the cover letter. 'For the cascade regime, you need at least two visas in the past three years to be eligible for a 2-year visa, but granting a longer duration visa is completely at the discretion of the visa officer,' the user added. What is the Schengen 'cascade' system? The cascade system is part of a revised Schengen Visa Code introduced by the EU in 2020 and applied more widely since April 18, 2024. It offers longer-validity, multiple-entry visas to nationals of India, Turkey, and Indonesia who meet certain travel history criteria. Here's how the tiers work: • A 1-year visa may be granted if the applicant has used three visas in the previous two years • A 2-year visa is possible after holding a 1-year multiple-entry visa • A 5-year visa may follow if the applicant has held a 2-year visa in the past three years All long-term visas still follow the 90/180 rule, meaning you can stay a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. Only certain visas count Not every visa contributes to cascade eligibility. Airport transit visas and visas limited to a single Schengen country are excluded. Applications must be made from your home country. So Indian applicants must apply while residing in India. The scheme supports the EU's broader policy of facilitating access for 'trusted travellers' from countries that cooperate on migration, including readmission of nationals. According to the regulation, business travellers, seafarers, artists and athletes are among those who may be considered favourably. 'More favourable approaches in issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity should take into account, in particular, the existence of trade agreements covering the mobility of business persons,' the rules say. Which countries are covered by multiple-entry Schengen Visa? The Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa grants access to the entire Schengen area, which consists of 29 European countries. They are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. How to strengthen your Schengen application Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of Indian travel firm Pickyourtrail, shared a few suggestions to help applicants avoid common mistakes and improve their chances under the cascade regime: Choose the correct visa type: Most Indian tourists apply for a Type C short-stay visa. If visiting multiple countries, apply through the embassy of the country you'll stay in the longest. Submit complete, consistent paperwork: Passport, photos, travel insurance, flight bookings, income proof, and accommodation details must all align. Apply early: Processing usually takes 15 days but can stretch during peak periods. Apply at least three to four weeks in advance—or earlier during summer or winter holiday seasons. Prepare for interviews and biometrics: Interviews aren't always required, but when they are, embassies look for clarity and consistency in your responses. Prove financial capacity and secure insurance: Your documents should show you can support yourself. Travel insurance must cover medical emergencies with a minimum of €30,000 coverage. While the cascade regime opens the door to longer visits, it's not automatic. Visa officers still assess each case individually. Overstaying or working without authorisation during previous visits can hurt your chances—even if you meet the travel history criteria.
Local France
29-07-2025
- Business
- Local France
'Cascade scheme': Who can benefit from longer term Schengen visas?
During the validity of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals throughout the 29-country EU/Schengen area, the European Commission says. The visas are not tied to a purpose, but do not grant the right to work. This specific type of Schengen visa has been dubbed the "cascade" scheme (more on this below) but how does it work and who can obtain it? So far the scheme applies to citizens from just three countries, but it's likely to be extended to others in the future. Indian nationals The first to benefit from the scheme were Indian nationals, who have been able to apply for a long-term Schengen visa since 18 April 2024 . They can obtain a multi-entry Schengen visa valid for two years after having obtained two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa can then be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport is valid long enough. Turkish nationals Similar provisions have applied to Turkish nationals (except truck drivers) since July 15th 2025 . Turkish nationals can apply for a one-year multi-entry Schengen visa after having obtained two visas for Schengen countries within the previous three years. The one-year visa can then be followed by a three-year and then a five-year one, if the passport has sufficient remaining validity. Advertisement Indonesian nationals As of July 23rd 2025, Indonesian nationals can be issued multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years 'after having obtained and lawfully used one Schengen visa within the previous three years'. READ ALSO: What problems lie ahead for the EU's 'border-free' Schengen zone New policy These long-term Schengen visas mark the start of a new EU policy that favours regular 'trusted travellers' and aims to facilitate 'people-to-people contacts', according to the EU Commission press statements. They also reflect diplomatic priorities and form part of the new EU immigration policy, which grants easier access to citizens from countries, whose governments cooperate with the EU on readmissions. 'Member States should have particular regard for persons travelling for the purpose of exercising their profession, such as business people, seafarers, artists and athletes,' says the regulation. 'More favourable approaches in issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity should take into account, in particular, the existence of trade agreements covering the mobility of business persons,' it says. The 'cascade' system and the 90-day rule The so-called 'cascade system' is a tiered visas regime which grants progressively a longer length of validity depending on the travel history of the applicant. It was introduced with the reform of the Schengen Visa Code in 2020. As a general rule, it allows a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, if the applicant has used three visas within the previous 2 years; 2 years, if the applicant has used a 1-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 2 years; 5 years, if the applicant has used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 3 years. Advertisement Despite the extended visa validity periods, the 90 day Schengen rule still applies, meaning visa holders can only stay a maximum 90 days in any 180-day period. Compliance with this rule is essential, as overstaying could undermine the possibility to get future long-term visas. Applicants who are found to have overstayed or worked illegally in the Schengen area will likely be denied access to the extended Schengen visas. First-time travellers are typically granted short-term, single-entry visas, upon which they can start building their travel history. Airport transit visas and visas limited to a particular country are not taken into account. Applicants also have to apply in the country of their nationality (for instance, Indonesian nationals have to reside and apply from Indonesia) and provide proof of their reasons for travel.
Local Germany
29-07-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
'Cascade scheme': Who can benefit from longer term Schengen visas?
During the validity of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals throughout the 29-country EU/Schengen area, the European Commission says. The visas are not tied to a purpose, but do not grant the right to work. This specific type of Schengen visa has been dubbed the "cascade" scheme (more on this below) but how does it work and who can obtain it? So far the scheme applies to citizens from just three countries, but it's likely to be extended to others in the future. Indian nationals The first to benefit from the scheme were Indian nationals, who have been able to apply for a long-term Schengen visa since 18 April 2024 . They can obtain a multi-entry Schengen visa valid for two years after having obtained two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa can then be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport is valid long enough. Turkish nationals Similar provisions have applied to Turkish nationals (except truck drivers) since July 15th 2025 . Turkish nationals can apply for a one-year multi-entry Schengen visa after having obtained two visas for Schengen countries within the previous three years. The one-year visa can then be followed by a three-year and then a five-year one, if the passport has sufficient remaining validity. Advertisement Indonesian nationals As of July 23rd 2025, Indonesian nationals can be issued multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years 'after having obtained and lawfully used one Schengen visa within the previous three years'. New policy These long-term Schengen visas mark the start of a new EU policy that favours regular 'trusted travellers' and aims to facilitate 'people-to-people contacts', according to the EU Commission press statements. They also reflect diplomatic priorities and form part of the new EU immigration policy, which grants easier access to citizens from countries, whose governments cooperate with the EU on readmissions. 'Member States should have particular regard for persons travelling for the purpose of exercising their profession, such as business people, seafarers, artists and athletes,' says the regulation. 'More favourable approaches in issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity should take into account, in particular, the existence of trade agreements covering the mobility of business persons,' it says. The 'cascade' system and the 90-day rule The so-called 'cascade system' is a tiered visas regime which grants progressively a longer length of validity depending on the travel history of the applicant. It was introduced with the reform of the Schengen Visa Code in 2020. As a general rule, it allows a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year, if the applicant has used three visas within the previous 2 years; 2 years, if the applicant has used a 1-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 2 years; 5 years, if the applicant has used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the previous 3 years. Advertisement Despite the extended visa validity periods, the 90 day Schengen rule still applies, meaning visa holders can only stay a maximum 90 days in any 180-day period. Compliance with this rule is essential, as overstaying could undermine the possibility to get future long-term visas. Applicants who are found to have overstayed or worked illegally in the Schengen area will likely be denied access to the extended Schengen visas. First-time travellers are typically granted short-term, single-entry visas, upon which they can start building their travel history. Airport transit visas and visas limited to a particular country are not taken into account. Applicants also have to apply in the country of their nationality (for instance, Indonesian nationals have to reside and apply from Indonesia) and provide proof of their reasons for travel.
Observer
19-05-2025
- Observer
Apply for a Schengen visa three months in advance: VFS regional head
Muscat: The summer peak outbound travel is about to start within a few weeks, making it nearly impossible for someone to change their mind about travelling to Europe with a Schengen visa at the last minute. Marita Bachhav, regional head of VFS Global, which processes visa documents and collects applications for most countries, told the Observer that Europe remains a popular destination for travellers from Oman and demand for visas, especially during peak travel seasons like summer holidays, is higher than other times of the year. "Travellers can apply for Schengen visas up to six months before the intended date of travel; and we urge applicants to plan and apply for their visas well in advance to avoid any delays," she said. "The availability of visa appointments, mandatory documentation, processing timelines and visa application decisions are entirely at the discretion of the respective governments. Last-minute plans run the risk of appointment slots being unavailable or delays in getting a visa decision due to the high volumes of applications in process at the Embassy/Consulate," she added. It is recommended that travellers apply for visas as early as booking flights and accommodations. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days (three months) before the travel date. According to the revised Schengen Visa Code effective February 9, 2020, travellers can apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before the travel date. Especially this year, with higher demand and limited appointment slots available, applicants must apply for their visa as early as possible. FRAUDULENT ENTITIES Visa applicants are also advised to be aware of fraudulent entities that charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments or providing other services using VFS Global's name or independently. VFS Global does not charge any fee for booking appointments on the official website for visa applications. However, some governments require pre-payment of the service fee at the time of booking the appointment. This payment will be reimbursed or deducted during the application process. This step is only to ensure genuine travellers use appointment booking and the system is kept safe from misuse by fraudulent entities. Unlike Omani nationals, residents/expats residing in Oman must ensure they have a valid Omani residency permit that extends beyond the intended return date from the Schengen area. Short-term visit visas or expired cards are not acceptable. Since applicants are not Omani nationals, they must demonstrate strong ties to the Sultanate of Oman, such as stable employment, long-term lease agreements, or family residing in the country, to show intent to return. Certain nationalities may face additional requirements, including higher financial thresholds, longer processing times, or the need for police clearance certificates, depending on the Schengen state's internal guidelines. Applicants from countries with lower visa approval rates may be expected to show previous travel history, especially to countries with strict visa policies, as evidence of reliability and return. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION Non-Omani residents may need to provide more comprehensive proof of financial means, including recent bank statements, salary slips and sponsorship letters if applicable. Additional supporting documents depend on nationality and embassy-specific requirements. Some residents may be asked to submit additional supporting documents, such as a no-objection letter from their employer or landlord. "If you are travelling to Europe on a Schengen Visa, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy/Consulate of the country that you intend to visit. If you are planning to visit more than one Schengen country, you must apply for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country where you will spend the longest period. If you are staying in more than one location for an equal duration of time, you must apply to the country that is your first port of entry," Marita said. VFS Global has no visibility on the decision outcome of visa applications. Processed passports are handed back to the applicants or authorised representatives in sealed envelopes. It only handles collecting application forms and documentation as per the checklist provided by the government, enrolling biometrics where applicable and ensuring the safe return of passports in sealed envelopes post the decision-making process by the embassy.
