EU Official Acknowledges Challenges Indians Face in Securing Schengen Visas

In a candid acknowledgment of the roadblocks Indian passport holders face, Ewa Suwara, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to India, has stated that Schengen visa challenges for Indian citizens persist, particularly when it comes to securing short-term travel or long-term work visas.

Despite collaborative efforts between Indian and EU authorities aimed at simplifying the visa process, Suwara admitted that one of the most significant obstacles remains the decentralised nature of the application system. Each applicant must file with individual EU member states, creating confusion and inefficiencies.

“There is no centralised EU visa process. This complexity can be frustrating for Indian applicants,” Suwara said, as reported by Schengen.News.

She added that while reforms have been initiated, the practical realities of the visa process continue to present difficulties for many Indians. The problem, she noted, is not merely bureaucratic—it affects families, students, business professionals, and tourists who wish to engage with Europe more freely.

Efforts Underway, But Progress Is Slow

In an interview with Business Standard, Suwara emphasized that despite the hurdles, the EU is actively working alongside Indian authorities to streamline broader migration and travel frameworks.

“We need each other, and we can benefit from each other. Yes, we can work on simplifying processes, but that requires discussion. It is an ongoing process,” she said.

To signify their commitment, the EU has designated 2025 as the Year of EU-India, a gesture intended to foster deeper strategic cooperation and reassure Indian nationals that they are welcome across the European continent.

2024 Reforms Brought Hope, But Challenges Linger

In a significant policy shift last year, the EU rolled out more favourable visa rules for Indian citizens under the cascade regime. As of April 2024, Indians with a proven travel history—specifically, those who had lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years—were granted multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years.

Following this, these applicants could be eligible for five-year visas, provided their passports had sufficient validity remaining. This move was widely praised as a step toward improving accessibility and mobility for Indian travellers.

However, for first-time applicants or those without an extensive travel history, visa issuance remains limited to short durations. Compounding the issue is the overwhelming demand, which has created a backlog and stretched the capacity of visa-processing centres.

Black Market and Broker Interference

Another alarming challenge has emerged in the form of visa appointment fraud. With official slots in short supply, unscrupulous brokers are allegedly hoarding appointments and reselling them at exorbitant rates on the black market—a development that has sparked outrage among genuine applicants.

While EU officials have acknowledged the issue, they have clarified that their jurisdiction does not allow them to take direct action against illegal intermediaries operating outside their control.

The Way Forward: Dialogue, Partnership, and Patience

The EU’s diplomatic wing in India appears committed to continued engagement. According to Suwara, simplification of the visa process requires deep, structural coordination and mutual understanding between both governments.

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