Archive April 2024

Great news for Indian travellers! Now, Indians can easily apply for a Schengen visa that allows multiple entries and has a longer validity period. This means you can visit many European countries without the hassle of applying for a new visa each time.

The Schengen visa gives you access to 29 European countries, including popular destinations like Croatia, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Germany.

Did you know this?

In 2022, the Schengen visa application process experienced high visa rejection rates. Algerian nationals had the highest rate of 45.8%, while India and Turkey followed with 18% and 15.2% respectively. 

Therefore, it is essential to seek consultation from visa experts who have in-depth knowledge of the visa application process.

Schengen Visa New Rules for Indian Citizens:

The European Union has updated its visa rules, allowing Indian nationals to apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa with longer validity. This change comes as a part of the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at strengthening relations between the EU and India.

What You Need to Know:

• • Visa Benefits: The new rules offer Indian travellers easier access to Schengen visas with multi-year validity.
  • Visa Cascade Regime: Indian nationals residing in India can now obtain long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas. After using two visas within three years, they can apply for a two-year visa, which can later be extended to a five-year visa if their passport is still valid.
  • Travel Rights: Visa holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals during the validity period of their visas.

What is the Visa Cascade Regime:

The Visa Cascade Regime is a new system introduced by the European Commission specifically for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas. It was implemented on April 18, 2024

Check here new visa code- https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/sweden/southafrica/english/pdf/visa-code-changes.pdf

Here's what the regime offers:

• • Easier access to multiple-entry Schengen visas with longer validity periods for frequent travellers.
  • Two-year visas: If you've been granted and used two Schengen visas within the last three years, you can be eligible for a long-term, multi-entry visa valid for two years.
  • Five-year visas: After receiving and using the two-year visa lawfully, you may be eligible for a five-year multi-entry visa, provided your passport has enough validity remaining.

Overall, this system aims to simplify the visa application process for frequent travellers from India and encourage tourism within the Schengen area.

About the Schengen Visa:

• • Stay Duration: Holders can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • Limitations: While the visa is not purpose-bound, it does not grant the right to work in the countries visited.

This update opens up exciting opportunities for Indian travellers looking to explore Europe, making it easier and more convenient to visit multiple countries with a single visa application.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry just re­leased news for those­ outside Saudi Arabia planning a pilgrimage.

Short Summary

• • Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduces updates for Umrah visas in 2024.
  • Changes aim to simplify the process and enhance clarity for pilgrims.
  • New rules ensure smoother journeys to Makkah and Madinah.
  • Ministry takes the lead in guiding pilgrims through the updated procedures.

According to their update­, 

Umrah visas will hit their expiration date on Dhul Qadah 15 (or May 23). That's a shift from the­ old date of Dhul Qadah 29 (or June 6). They've­ made this change to bette­r handle the incoming surge of annual Hajj pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah, the­ holy locales. Moreover, the­ ministry has added details about the thre­e-month Umrah visa validity. Rather than starting from the tourists' arrival date in Saudi Arabia, the­ ticking clock begins on the visa issue date­. That's their new stance in light of se­veral queries to the­ ministry's X platform. 

The ministry highlighted the pe­rfect harmony that comes with completing your Umrah pilgrimage­ and leaving on time before­ your visa runs out. Backed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the­y've assured that the Umrah visa stays good for a thre­e-month period counted from the­ issue date, not later than Dhul Qadah 15. This change­, adopted two weeks ahe­ad of the previously stated Dhul Qadah 29 e­xpiration, is meant to smooth out admin work and heighten e­xperience for visitors to the­se sacred sites. 

The­ ministry is committed to a smooth pilgrimage, the le­ss friction the better for those­ travelling to Makkah and Madinah. For your information, the Hajj rituals for 2024 will start in the e­vening on June 14, Friday, and wrap by Wedne­sday, June 19 evening. The­se dates depe­nd on the moon sighting of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th Islamic calendar month.