EU Defines Rules for Getting 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa to Schengen Area
With the updated Schengen Visa Code that introduced
new rules on the procedures of applying for a Schengen Visa, the process for
getting a 5-year multiple-entry visa to the EU has never been easier and
clearer.
Though in the past, the EU Visa Code enabled travelers
to get multi-entry visas for traveling to the Schengen member countries more
then once, the rules for getting one were not well and clearly defined.
Now, the updated Visa Code that came into force on February 2,
and applies to the embassies, consulates, and visa centers of all 26 Schengen
members states abroad introduces certain rules that visa applicants must meet
in order to be granted with a Schengen Visa.
A multiple-entry Schengen visa permits its holder to
go in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as he or she wants, as soon as
they do not violate the 90/180 rule. Which means they do not remain in the
Schengen zone longer than 90 days, within 180 days.
The Schengen Visa code has among others been updated
to specify new, well defines rules regarding who will benefit from the
multiple-entry visas. Among others, the code states that multiple-entry visas
will be granted with a validity of one, three and five years, depending on
applicants’ visa and travel history.
“…multiple-entry visas with a
long validity shall be issued for the following validity periods, unless the
validity of the visa would exceed that of the travel document:
(a) for a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant
has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years;
(b) for a validity period of two years, provided that the
applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid
for one year within the previous two years;
(c) for a validity period of five years, provided that the
applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid
for two years within the previous three years,”
the updated Visa Code explains.
Aside
from the frequency of travel to the Schengen Area, to get a multiple entry
visa, a traveler must meet a few other requirements, as follows:
·
The
traveler must have a reason why he/she needs to enter the Schengen Area
multiple times in the following year(s).
·
The
traveler must have a clean visa history, which means he/she never overstayed
the validity of a visa in the Schengen Area or worked illegally.
·
The
traveler must have a clean criminal record back at home.
·
The
traveler must present travelers insurance for their first trip to the
Schengen Area under the multiple entry visa applied for.
Related Post
