Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to India, Ewa Suwara, has acknowledged that challenges to secure a Schengen visa for short-term travel or a long-term visa for work purposes remain for Indian passport holders.
Even though the EU and Indian authorities have increased their effort to simplify the visa process, Suwara said that one of the main challenges for Indians is that applications need to be made to individual member statesSchengen.News reports.
She further noted that since there is no centralised visa process, this can be frustrating for Indians who want to obtain a visa to enter the bloc.
One major challenge is that visa applications must be made to individual EU member states. There is no centralised EU visa process. This complexity can be frustrating for Indian applicants.
In addition to acknowledging the difficulties, Suwara said for Business Standard that the EU is working with the Indian authorities on broader processes.
She also added that 2025 has been designated as the year of EU-India, during which the bloc wants to enhance its strategic partnership and ensure that India knows that its nationals are welcome in the bloc.
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.
EU Adopted More Favourable Schengen Visa Rules for Indians in 2024
In an attempt to ease the process, the EU adopted more favourable Schengen visa rules for Indians in 2024.
Under the so-called “cascade” regime, since April of last year, Indians with an established travel history have had access to multiple-entry visas with a longer validity period.
As the EU authorities explained back then, Indians who have obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas within the previous three years are eligible for multiple-entry visas with a validity of up to two years. This two-year visa will then most likely be followed by a five-year Schengen visa, provided that the passport of the applicant has sufficient remaining validity.
As for other Indian applicants who do not fall under the category of those with an established travel history to the Schengen Areathey continue to be granted visas with a shorter validity.
Despite this facilitation, due to the high demand for Schengen visas, a large number of Indians have been complaining about long waiting times and the lack of available appointment slots. They have also complained that brokers are blocking appointments and selling them on the black market in exchange for high amounts of money.
While the EU authorities cannot do anything about illegal intermediaries, it is yet to be seen whether they will address the issues related to waiting times and appointment slots.