EU Recognises Ongoing Challenges for Indians in Obtaining Schengen Visas
EU Acknowledges Visa Challenges Faced by Indians, Vows Closer Cooperation with India
Ewa Suwara, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to India, has acknowledged that Indian nationals continue to face obstacles in securing Schengen visas for short-term travel as well as long-term work visas. One of the main concerns, she said in an interview with Business Standard, is the lack of a centralised visa process, which often proves frustrating for Indian applicants.
Despite these challenges, Suwara emphasized that the EU is actively working with Indian authorities to streamline visa procedures and improve broader mobility frameworks. She also highlighted that 2025 has been designated the EU-India Year, during which the bloc aims to strengthen strategic ties and reaffirm that Indian nationals are welcome in Europe.
EU Introduced Easier Schengen Visa Rules for Indians in 2024
In a move to ease the visa burden for Indian travellers, the EU implemented more favourable Schengen visa rules in 2024 under the so-called “cascade” system. As of April 2024, Indian citizens with a solid travel history to the Schengen Area became eligible for longer-term, multiple-entry visas.
Under the cascade regime:
- Indians who have lawfully used two Schengen visas within the last three years are now eligible for multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years.
- These two-year visas may be followed by five-year multiple-entry visas, provided that the applicant’s passport remains valid for the duration.
However, Indian applicants without a strong travel history to Schengen countries continue to receive shorter-term visas with limited validity.
Ongoing Issues: Long Wait Times and Appointment Abuse
Despite policy improvements, many Indians continue to report long waiting periods and a shortage of available visa appointment slots. A growing concern involves brokers reserving appointments and reselling them on the black market at inflated prices, further complicating access for genuine applicants.
While EU authorities have limited power to intervene against illegal intermediaries, questions remain as to whether the bloc will take further action to reduce processing delays and expand appointment availability.
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