New Schengen visa norms:Big boost seen in Indian tourist arrivals in Europe

There is good news for Indians travelling to European nations, with the European Union’s (EU) revamped visa system that allows Indians access to long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas. Schengen visas are applicable in 25 European Union countries, barring Ireland and Cyprus.

As per the European Commission website, a Schengen visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A Schengen visa can be obtained in the form of a single-entry visa, allowing the holder to enter the Schengen area once, or a multiple-entry visa, which is granted for several visits to the Schengen area for as long as it is valid.

Experts believe that it will give a boost to the travel and tourism industry, especially tourist traffic from India to the European nations. As per Statista data, there were 4.05 million tourist arrivals from India to Europe in 2029. After two years of Covid-19 disruptions, tourist arrivals from India have started picking up again, reported at 2.34 million in 2022, as per Statista.

Reacting to the development, Madhavan Menon, Executive Chairman, Thomas Cook India, said, “The Travel & Tourism industry welcomes the new Schengen visa “cascade” ruling as visas are a critical part of the travel process. Such a move will ensure greater convenience and timeliness to customers and inspire repeat visits – with a force multiplier impact to the overall travel & tourism ecosystem.”

He further said, “As a potential outcome of this announcement, we look forward to an expansion in travel between India and the Schengen region across all categories of travellers - leisure, business and MICE.”

Changes in the new rules for Indian travellers

As per the new regulations, Indian travellers can now obtain a two-year Schengen visa, as opposed to the shorter validity periods earlier. In order to avail of this extended two-year visa, applicants need to acquire and lawfully utilise two Schengen visas within the preceding three years. Following this, travellers can be eligible for a five-year Schengen visa if their passport has sufficient validity.

Indian travellers can now move freely within the Schengen member countries for up to 90 days within any 180 days, without the need for additional permits or authorizations. This system simplifies access to visas with extended validity.

The new rules introduce the ‘cascade system’, which sets up rules for issuance of multiple-entry visas with long validity. MEV visas with a long validity shall be issued for the following validity periods:

• For a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years
• For a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years
• For a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years

It may be noted here, that these are travel visas, and do not allow the right to work within the Schengen area.

Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, commented, “The recent changes in Schengen Visa regulations herald a promising era for the travel industry, especially outbound travel from India. The introduction of multi-year visas has resulted in a 10-12% surge in interest among Indian travellers on our platform. France, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany stand as the most preferred destinations, witnessing heightened inquiries and searches. Moreover, emerging destinations like the Czech Republic and Poland are capturing attention.”

“With the new-found flexibility, Indian tourists are poised to embark on enriching journeys, fostering stronger cultural connections. The ability to make multiple visits further amplifies the allure of European exploration, promising enduring engagement and camaraderie,” he added.