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2w ago

Fast-Tracked Five-Year Schengen Visas Roll Out to Indian Travellers

A viral Reddit post detailing a four-day approval at the French consulate in Bengaluru highlights the scheme’s efficiency ahead of its expansion to more countries.

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'5-year Schengen visa in just 4 days from...': Indian traveller shares visa approval strategy
Indians now eligible for 5-year Schengen visa under new cascade scheme, details here
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Overview

  • Eligible Indian travellers who have held at least two Schengen visas in the past three years can now secure up to five-year multiple-entry permits under the EU’s cascade regime.
  • Visa holders enjoy visa-free-style access across all 29 Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period but remain prohibited from working.
  • A Reddit user reported receiving a five-year Schengen visa from the French consulate in Bengaluru in just four working days after submitting prior passports, a cover letter and standard financial documents.
  • Consular officers retain discretion over visa duration, prompting applicants to request longer validity and provide detailed travel histories in their applications.
  • Launched in April 2024 as part of the Schengen Visa Code reform, the cascade system currently covers India, Turkey and Indonesia and is slated to extend to additional partner countries.