Rabat – The European Union has presented its first comprehensive visa policy strategy, paving the way for multiple-entry Schengen visas that could remain valid for periods exceeding the current five-year cap for trusted, frequent travelers.
Announced by the European Commission in late January, the initiative seeks to modernize and harmonize visa rules across the Schengen area. The reform aims to facilitate repeat travel for tourists and business professionals while strengthening border controls and maintaining security standards.
Beyond the five-year limit
Under the proposal, applicants considered “bona fide” – travelers with a strong compliance history, low migration risk, and secure profiles – could receive multiple-entry visas valid for more than five years.
The measure would not constitute an automatic right but would apply selectively to individuals with a proven record of lawful travel within the Schengen area.
Currently, multiple-entry visas are generally limited to a maximum of five years. Extending their validity would reduce the need for repeated applications by frequent visitors and ease administrative pressure on consulates.
The Commission described the reform as part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. As destinations such as the US, the UK, and Canada already offer long-term visa options, EU officials argue that simplifying access for reliable travelers is essential to maintaining Europe’s position in tourism, investment, and business mobility.
Digital shift and security controls
The strategy also includes a full digitalization of visa procedures, replacing physical visa stickers with secure digital visas. Interoperable databases and updated border management systems aim to enhance screening against irregular migration, organized crime, and security threats.
However, the effective duration of these longer-term visas will depend on technical factors, including the storage period of biometric data in EU border systems. Implementation will require a revision of the EU Visa Code and coordination with member states before the new rules can take effect.
Some elements of the reform are expected to move forward from 2026, while others are tied to broader, multi-year legislative and technological projects.
Balancing facilitation and control
While the strategy offers facilitation for regular, low-risk travelers, it also introduces stricter measures for other categories. Visa policy remains a tool of migration management and foreign policy.
Future visa facilitation will depend on partner countries’ cooperation on issues such as the readmission of nationals in irregular situations and broader security benchmarks.
The Commission also announced related initiatives, including a new framework to assess visa-free regimes for third countries and pilot “Legal Gateway Offices” to support employers and skilled non-EU nationals with immigration procedures.
Together with recommendations on attracting talent for innovation and a broader asylum and migration management strategy, the visa overhaul reflects a shift toward greater EU-level coordination, digital processing, and compliance monitoring.
If adopted, the reform would reshape short-stay mobility in Europe by transforming the Schengen visa into a longer-term mobility tool for selected travelers, while maintaining strict oversight mechanisms for the wider migration landscape.
