A Reddit post has recently gone viral, where an Indian traveller claimed to have received a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa in just 4 working days.
The visa was issued by France under the European Commission’s “cascade” regime, and processed by the Bengaluru consulate.
The traveller shared their experience to help others understand how the process worked. “Sharing my experience for those curious about the cascade regime – it seems to be finally working well, at least in France’s case!” they wrote.
Details of the Traveller’s Profile
The person claimed to have visited 32 countries.
They previously held 3 Schengen visas from Germany and Spain, all issued in the last two years.
Their most recent visa (from Spain) was only valid for 45 days.
In response to several curious comments, the traveller explained what documents they submitted to get the visa:
Documents Submitted for Schengen Visa
A cover letter requesting a long-validity visa
Old passport and scanned copies of both old and new passports (including stamped pages)
10-day France travel itinerary
2 years of Income Tax Returns
3 months of bank statements and salary slips for financial proof
All standard documents required for Schengen visa applications
They also highlighted that they clearly mentioned their travel history, including three previous trips to the Schengen zone.
What Is the Schengen Visa Cascade Regime?
Under the cascade system, Indian citizens who have had at least two Schengen visas in the past three years may qualify for a 2-year multi-entry visa.
After using that, they can apply for a 5-year visa, provided their passport remains valid for that duration.
However, the final decision rests with the visa officer, and there is no guarantee, even if the eligibility criteria are met.
Who Can Apply for Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas?
Indian travellers with a good travel history and previous Schengen visas can apply.
These long-term multiple-entry visas allow travel throughout the Schengen region, with a stay limit of 90 days within any 180-day period. However, they do not permit employment in these countries.
List of Schengen Countries Covered
The multiple-entry Schengen visa allows entry into 29 European countries, including:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
This post has sparked interest among Indian travellers, as it gives hope that longer-term Schengen visas may now be easier to obtain—especially through France under the cascade rule.
