EU Acknowledges Visa Challenges for Indians, Introduces Eased Schengen Rules

n a significant acknowledgment, the Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to India, Ewa Suwara, has stated that Indian citizens continue to face considerable challenges when applying for Schengen visas—whether for short-term travel or long-term work purposes.

Despite increasing efforts by both EU and Indian authorities to simplify visa procedures, Suwara pointed out a core issue: the lack of a centralised EU visa system. At present, Indian applicants must apply individually to the respective EU member state they wish to visit, which adds complexity and often leads to frustration.

“There is no centralised EU visa process. This complexity can be frustrating for Indian applicants,” Suwara said, according to Schengen.News.

In an interview with Business Standard, Suwara also highlighted ongoing cooperation between the EU and Indian authorities to improve procedural aspects. She emphasized that the relationship is mutually beneficial and reiterated that the EU is committed to making its visa regime more accessible.

“We need each other, and we can benefit from each other. Yes, we can work on simplifying processes, but that requires discussion. It is an ongoing process,” Suwara added.

New Visa Regime for Indian Travellers

To address some of these concerns, the EU implemented a more favourable visa regime for Indian nationals in 2024, known as the “cascade” system. Since April 2024, Indian travellers with a proven track record of legal travel to the Schengen Area have been eligible for long-term multiple-entry visas.

Under the cascade rules:

• Indian nationals who have lawfully obtained and used two Schengen visas in the previous three years may now receive a two-year multiple-entry visa.

• This two-year visa may be followed by a five-year visa, provided the applicant’s passport has sufficient validity.

However, applicants without a significant travel history to the Schengen Area continue to receive visas with shorter validity.

Despite these changes, high demand for Schengen visas has led to persistent problems. Indian applicants frequently report long waiting times and a shortage of appointment slots. Additionally, reports suggest that brokers are securing and reselling appointment slots on the black market at inflated prices—a challenge that the EU has yet to effectively tackle.

As the EU moves toward the 2025 Year of EU-India, officials hope to strengthen the strategic partnership and signal a clear welcome to Indian nationals.

Source: Schengen.News