EU approves requirements for long-term Schengen multi-visas
The Council of the European Union has approved amendments to the visa code defining the conditions for obtaining multiple entry Schengen visas for 1 year, 2 years, 5 years.
A visa for one year can be obtained if the applicant fulfills the conditions of entry, and if in the previous two years he has obtained and lawfully used three short-stay visas. For two years, the visa will be issued subject to obtaining an annual multi-visa for the same 2 previous years. A five-year multi-visa can be applied for by a person who has correctly used a two-year visa for three years.
In April, the amendments were approved by the European Parliament, now need formal approval by the EU Council, and the rules will be published, and six months later will come into force. It is expected that they will affect tourists from more than a hundred countries.
EU officials say the changes provide "better conditions for conscientious travellers." The main convenience for Russians is the introduction of an EU-agreed approach to issuing multiple-entry visas to travelers with a positive visa history for an increasing period of 1 year to 5 years.
“Positive visa history” implies the absence of violations of the conditions of previous visas, in particular on the purpose and timing of visits. The reform envisages tightening database checks and establishing a “common repository of identification data” (CIR) linked to specific individuals.
Source: ria