The European Commission has made a new scheme which can greatly benefit the people living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under this new proposal, frequent travelers to Europe can now get a Schengen visa for more than 5 years. Its purpose is to reduce the hassle and expense of repeatedly applying for visas, which will provide great relief to expatriates working in the UAE.
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What is the new visa rule and who will get the benefit?
This facility is for those who have a clean travel record and follow the rules. This includes tourists and people going for business purposes. The most important thing is that for the first time the European Union is considering giving multiple-entry visas for a period longer than the limit of 5 years.
Additionally, professionals such as artists, sportspersons and truck drivers may also be exempted from overstaying the 90-day limit. This new system has been designed keeping in mind the ‘loyal travelers’ so that they do not have to go through the process of filling the application again and again.
When will the rule come into effect and what will change?
The strategy was adopted on January 29, 2026, but changes to the law are expected by the end of 2026. Now digital visa system is being introduced in place of visa stickers. This means that the need to get the passport stamped will gradually go away.
By the end of 2026, the ETIAS system will also be launched which is for visa-free travelers. By 2028 the entire process will become online and digital. For migrants, this means that they will be able to submit their documents from home and will not have to make repeated trips to the visa centre.
How much will be the savings in expenses?
Although the visa fee is currently 90 Euros (about 360 AED), travelers will save money by not having to apply repeatedly. Getting a long-term visa will eliminate the hassle of repeatedly giving biometrics and submitting documents. This will significantly reduce the administrative expenses of Indians living in UAE and other expatriates who frequently visit Europe.
