A new set of EU Schengen Visa rules has been introduced by the European Commission, making it easier for people from India to get Schengen visas that last longer. This change started on April 18 and aims to make it simpler for Indian citizens to apply for visas and travel to Europe.
What are the New EU Schengen Visa Rules?
Under these new rules, Indians living in India can now get long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas. They can start with a two-year visa after using two visas correctly in the previous three years. After that, they might be able to get a visa that lasts for five years if their passport is still valid.
Purpose of the Change
This change is part of a bigger plan between the EU and India called the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility. The goal is to make it easier for people from both places to visit each other. This shows how important India is as a partner for the EU.
Benefits of the New Rules
These longer visas let travelers visit all 29 European countries in the Schengen area. This includes places like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. With these visas, Indian travelers can stay for up to 90 days in Europe within a period of 180 days. It’s a great opportunity to explore Europe’s different cultures and places.
Understanding the Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a way for people to visit countries in the Schengen area for short periods. While it lets people travel freely, it doesn’t allow them to work. But it does give them the chance to see Europe’s history and culture.
The new visa rules are good news for Indian travelers and show how important India is to the EU. By making it easier to get visas and offering longer validity, the EU hopes to encourage more people-to-people contact and strengthen ties between India and Europe.
In short, these new rules are a big step toward giving Indian citizens more opportunities to travel and helping the EU build stronger relationships with India.