Dubai: UAE travellers who regularly visit Europe could soon benefit from longer-valid Schengen visas and simpler digital travel procedures, as the European Union moves to modernise its visa and border systems.
“New measures will make the EU more attractive to skilled workers, and make legitimate travel easier, and more predictable,” the Commission noted in its latest visa strategy update. “This includes new digital procedures for both visa-free and visa required travellers and multiple-entry visas with a longer validity for trusted travellers.”
Frequent fliers to benefit
At the centre of the proposed changes is the possibility of extending multiple-entry Schengen visas beyond the current five-year maximum. Travellers with a strong compliance record — including repeat visitors for business or tourism — could qualify for longer-term visas, reducing the need for frequent reapplications.
For UAE residents who travel often to Europe for work, leisure or family visits, the move could significantly cut processing time, costs and uncertainty. The Commission said the goal is to focus facilitation on “bona fide” travellers with a low migration risk.
The change would also ease pressure on EU consulates by reducing repeat applications, while helping Europe remain competitive with countries such as the US, UK and Canada, which already offer long-term travel permissions.
Digital visas, smarter borders
The visa overhaul is part of a wider five-year EU strategy on migration and asylum that places heavy emphasis on digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
Under the plan, physical visa stickers would be replaced with secure digital visas, supported by a centralised application platform. Travellers would be able to submit documents online, track applications digitally and rely on automated checks at borders.
The EU has been rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which together are intended to form what the Commission describes as the world’s most advanced digital border management system.
By 2028, EU visa and border IT systems are expected to become fully interoperable, allowing authorities to check multiple databases at once through a single search. The Commission said this would improve security, prevent abuse and speed up legitimate travel.
Talent, mobility, security goals
The visa strategy sits alongside a broader migration plan built around three objectives: preventing irregular migration, protecting people fleeing conflict, and attracting workers and skills to Europe.
To support labour mobility, the EU plans to expand Talent Partnerships with non-EU countries and make it easier to recognise foreign qualifications. New “Legal Gateway Offices” are also planned to help employers and skilled non-EU nationals navigate immigration procedures.
At the same time, the Commission said visa facilitation would remain linked to strong cooperation with partner countries on issues such as readmission, document security and border management.
The proposed changes are not yet in force and will require further legislative approval and technical development. Some elements, including digital visa systems, are being introduced this year, while decisions on longer visa validity will depend on factors such as biometric data retention rules.
