Passport holders of Saudia Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain will now be eligible for five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas.
The news was announced by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, during the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation held in Luxembourg.
In his opening speech, Borrell said that the Commission had decided to start issuing five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to nationals of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. At the same time, he also welcomed the decision, VisaGuide.World reports.
I would like to welcome the adoption by the [European] Commission this morning of decisions that will allow to harmonize the rules on the issuing of multiple-entry visas for GCC countries.
The Commission of the EU has decided to start issuing visas with longer validity for nationals of these countries as part of its attempt to strengthen the relations and harmonize the rules applying to all Gulf countries.
While the EU authorities have yet to make an official statement on the matter, it is believed that five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas will be issued to all Saudia Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain passport holders who meet the requirements, including first-time applicants.
5-Year Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa Permits Several Entries Within a Year
Nationals of Saudia Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain who obtain a five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa are permitted to enter the Schengen Area multiple times within a year.
However, they must follow the 90/180-day rule, which means that they are not permitted to stay in the Schengen countries for more than three months within any six-month period.
Of all Gulf countries, only nationals of UAE are allowed visa-free entry into the Schengen Area.
The other countries are still in talks with the EU to fully drop the visa requirements and instead permit free movement without the need to obtain any additional documents.
EU Has Also Adopted More Favorable Schengen Visa Rules for Indians
Indians are now eligible for multiple entry visas with a longer validity period, provided that they meet certain criteria.
According to the Commission, in line with the new rules, Indian nationals who have obtained two Schengen visas in the past, have lawfully used them, and have an established travel history will now be issued multiple-entry visas with two-year validity.
This two-year visa will then be followed by a five-year visa provided that the passport of the applicant has enough remaining validity.