Islamabad, June 29, 2025: In a significant move to improve travel access, France has now joined Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium in offering five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to eligible applicants from across Africa.
This extended visa policy is aimed at individuals who frequently travel to the Schengen area and have a consistent record of compliance with visa rules. The policy especially benefits business professionals, academics, and those with strong travel histories, reducing the need to apply for a new visa each year.
What’s Changing?
- Eligibility: Applicants who have obtained and complied with three Schengen visas in the past two years, or can prove a strong reason for regular travel, may qualify.
- Validity: These long-term visas are valid for up to five years, allowing travel within the Schengen zone under the standard 90/180-day rule.
- Convenience: It eliminates repetitive application processes, lowers the financial burden, and ensures greater travel flexibility.
Why It Matters
Visa application fees remain non-refundable even if a visa is denied. In 2023 alone, applicants from African countries lost an estimated €56 million due to visa rejections. This policy shift helps reliable travellers avoid repeated financial and emotional stress.
Moreover, applicants from Africa often face disproportionately high rejection rates compared to other regions. This new step by France, aligning with other Schengen states, is seen as a move toward fairer and more accessible travel opportunities.
A Step Toward Equity
This long-term visa access is expected to:
- Strengthen EU-Africa ties in business, education, and tourism.
- Encourage repeat visits and mutual cultural exchange.
- Reduce application overload for consulates and embassies.
France’s decision marks a progressive shift toward more inclusive travel policies. With multiple European countries now offering long-term visas, it sets a positive precedent for smoother and fairer mobility for applicants from African nations.
Read More: Slovenia Launches 1-Year Digital Nomad Visa This November
