The EU’s new multiple entry visa scheme is making it easier for Indians to travel to Europe
The EU has just made it easier for In‐ dian nationals to travel to Europe.
An update to the Schengen visa rules announced last week opens up multiple entry trips for frequent trav‐ ellers.
The so-called ‘cascade’ system en‐ ables Indian citizens who have used a short-stay Schengen visa twice within the last three years to apply for a twoyear multiple entry visa.
This can be followed by a five-year visa, providing their passport has suf‐ ficient validity.
Why is the EU making travel easi‐ er for Indian nationals?
The new scheme aims to strengthen relations with India as an important partner for the EU, and to secure co‐ operation on migration policy be‐ tween the two.
“Travel to Europe made easy!”, EU
Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin wrote on X - formerly Twitter - when announcing the visa programme. “The EU takes another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact with India.”
Travel to Europe made easy! ✈ ⁰ takes another step towards en‐ hancing people-to-people contact with .⁰New #Schengen #visa regime gives frequent travellers access to multi-year visa (up to 5 y.) Europe delivers on the partnership! Know More https://t.co/6EzlUF8jrR pic.twitter.com/ELhZdCfI83
- Hervé Delphin (@EUAmbIndia) April 22, 2024
The Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across 29 European countries. A mul‐ tiple entry visa, therefore, provides access to the Schengen area for up to 180 days in a year in total without the need to reapply for each visit.
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How can Indian nationals get a visa to work in Europe?
The Schengen visa does not grant the right to work, however.
There are various routes to get a work permit in the EU. Some special‐ ists may be eligible for a Blue Card, which allows highly-qualified non-EU citizens to live and work in any EU country - apart from Denmark and Ireland.
Individual EU countries also run their own non-EU work permit schemes, which are o en adapted to meet shortages of skilled workers in certain fields.
Germany, for example, has made it easier this year for non-EU citizens to work in the country with reforms to its Skilled Immigration Act.
It removes some of the red tape associated with applying for a work permit and introduces a new ‘chan‐ cenkarte’ (opportunity card). The points-based system takes into ac‐ count qualifications, professional ex‐ perience, age, German language skills and ties to Germany such as family members in the country.
It particularly targets skilled craftspeople, electrical engineers, IT specialists, carers, nurses, catering and hospitality professionals.
Belgium, too, is seeking foreign workers with skills in specific fields.