Quicker Schengen visa approvals in new EU eligibility check: How it works

Dubai: A major change is unfolding in how Schengen visas are granted — and it could soon make life much easier for UAE-based expats travelling to Europe regularly.

The European Union has started rolling out a new visa “cascade” system, which rewards travellers with a clean visa history by granting them long-term, multiple-entry Schengen visas.

That simply means fewer reapplications, smoother trips, and more freedom to move across Europe over several years — a welcome shift for frequent travellers, especially those from India, Türkiye, and most recently Indonesia, who can now benefit from the updated system.

Under the new regime, eligible travellers who have held and properly used two short-term Schengen visas over the past three years can apply for a two-year multiple-entry visa. If that visa is used responsibly, they can then qualify for a five-year visa — provided their passport is valid long enough.

This isn’t visa-free travel, but it’s the closest thing to it for many. You still need a valid visa, but once you have it, you can re-enter the Schengen area multiple times without applying again — ideal for UAE residents with business or family ties to Europe, or those who simply enjoy frequent holidays in the region.

So far, the cascade system has been officially extended to Indian, Turkish, and Indonesian nationals — provided they apply for their visas from their country of residence and have a solid travel history.

The EU has signalled that more countries may be added to this growing list — and given the large volume of Schengen visa applications from UAE-based Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, and other Asian expat communities, it’s a development worth watching closely.

UAE residents are among the world’s most travel-savvy populations, often combining trips to multiple countries during long breaks or visiting Europe several times a year. But repeated visa applications have always been a hurdle — especially with limited embassy appointments and long processing times.

With the cascade system, a traveller with a strong visa history (and the right nationality) can enjoy multiple years of seamless Schengen access, removing the need to apply before every trip.

This is particularly useful for:

While the cascade system is not yet available to all UAE residents regardless of nationality, the EU is expected to expand eligibility to more countries as it strengthens global mobility partnerships. Policy experts say this could include other high-volume Schengen visa applicants with strong compliance records.

The visa cascade is not automatic. You still need to meet the criteria:

But once granted, these longer-term visas cut costs, save time, and offer unmatched flexibility for frequent flyers.

If you're a UAE resident planning frequent travel to Europe — especially if you're from India, Türkiye, or Indonesia — the new cascade rules offer a big advantage. You may now spend less time chasing embassy appointments and more time planning where to go next in the Schengen zone.

As the EU builds stronger mobility ties with more countries, and given the UAE’s status as a major travel hub, there’s growing optimism that more nationalities based in the Emirates will be covered by the cascade in future updates.

For now, it’s a reminder to build a clean visa history, save old visas, and keep an eye on how this policy evolves. The days of reapplying every single time you want to visit Europe could soon be behind you.