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New Schengen Visa Rules have been Unveiled, Featuring Longer Validity and Multiple Access Options for Indian Nationals.

The Schengen area is a zone that comprises 29 European countries that have agreed to open up mutual borders. As a result, there is a free movement of citizens across countries in the region without having to go through the tiresome process of visa processing. Speaking of international travelers the ones from India have been offered a unique opportunity with the new Schengen visa rules introduced recently. This opportunity is a catch for travelers from India who apply for short-term stays with permission for 90-day stays within 180 days.

The newly adopted visa regime termed “Cascade” appears to be in a favorable light for Indian nationals. Released as a part of the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, this has been seen as a golden opportunity by the Best Immigration Consultants in Dubai, UAE. A professional assistant will be a wiser choice to leverage this opportunity. However, having a basic idea of these newly released rules will be helpful for better navigation.

New Schengen Visa Rules: The Good News

On the 18th of April 2024, the European Commission released a fresh lease of rules to offer multi-entry Schengen visas to Indian nationals with longer validity. According to these rules, Indians who have acquired two visas in the last three years lawfully, upon applying for the short-stay Schengen visas can access a long-term multi-entry visa for 2- 5 years. It can even be extended for another five years given that the passports have sufficient validity.

The Context

According to a European Union announcement these rules come in the context of an EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility which demands comprehensive cooperation on migration policies between EU and India.

Advantages of New Rules

Long-term Validity:

As mentioned earlier this is a golden opportunity to access long-term visa validity.

Better Travel Rights:

During the validity of this visa Indian nationals will be able to commute through Schengen areas with rights equivalent to that of visa-free nationals. This means that they can enter and exit Schengen countries without the need for separate visas. However, it doesn’t give work permits during the stay.

Processing Time for Schengen Visas

It depends on the consulate’s workload and the time of year. An average waiting period could be about 15 calendar days. However, if it is a peak season it can go up to 30 to 60 days. The good news for Indians is that these new Schengen visa rules released in the context of better cooperation between India and the EU countries offer prospects of expedited visa processing for Indian Nationals.

Cost of Schengen Visa

An approximate cost for a Schengen visa is Rs.7200 for adults and Rs.3600 for minors. If you bring children below 6 years they are exempted from visa fees.

Conclusion

This is a broad picture of the Schengen visa rules released by the European Commission. By working with the best immigration consultants in Dubai this opportunity can be untangled further. In this direction, Trenity Immigration Consultants with a reputation for expertise in this industry will be an ideal choice.