The European Union (EU) has adopted a new visa system called the “Cascade” regime specifically for Indian nationals. Long-term multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for two years can now be issued to Indian citizens. This is a significant improvement over the potentially shorter visas previously offered. To be eligible for a two-year visa, applicants must have obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas within the previous three years.
Five-year visa process: After successfully availing a two-year visa, Indian travelers can usually expect to receive a five-year Schengen visa, provided their passport has sufficient remaining validity.
Visa-free travel: Even if Indian citizens hold a valid two-year or five-year visa, they will have travel rights within the Schengen area equivalent to those of visa-free nationals. This means that they can travel freely within member countries for short-term stays (usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period) without the need for further authorisation.
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What is a Cascade System?
The system is designed to reward frequent travelers with progressively longer visas.
You start with a two-year visa and can potentially qualify for a five-year visa after successful use. A Schengen visa allows holders to freely explore the Schengen area, allowing short-term stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Although these visas are not limited by purpose, they do not grant the right to work.
This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Joint Program on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with the facilitation of people-to-people contacts as a key aspect given the importance of India as a partner for the EU.
The five-year multiple-entry visa is convenient for frequent travelers.
With this visa, travelers can stay in European countries for up to 90 days in 180 days, a total of 180 days in a year and 900 days in five years, although not consecutively. In addition, holders of this visa can also use it to travel to countries outside the Schengen area, which facilitates hassle-free travel to several destinations during the visa period. For example, Indian citizens with a Schengen visa can visit more than 37 countries outside the Schengen area without a visa.
