New EU scheme offers Thai travellers longer-validity Schengen visas

Thai nationals applying for short-stay Schengen visas at EU embassies in Thailand will now be eligible for longer-validity multiple-entry visas under the EU’s “Visa Cascade” scheme, according to a statement issued today by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry.

The European Commission approved the measure on May 8 for Thai passport holders residing in Thailand.

The scheme allows travellers with a strong record of lawful travel to obtain multiple-entry visas with progressively longer validity periods, reducing the need for frequent applications and the associated costs and administrative burden.

Under the scheme, applicants who have previously obtained and lawfully used a Schengen visa may be eligible for:

One-year validity, provided the applicant has obtained and lawfully used one visa within the previous two years.

Two-year validity, provided the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous three years.

Five-year validity, provided the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous four years.

The ministry stressed that the “Visa Cascade” scheme is not a visa exemption programme and that Thai nationals will still be required to apply for Schengen visas through the normal process prior to travel and comply with all existing requirements.

According to the ministry, Thailand demonstrated through an evidence-based approach that Thai travellers pose low migration and security risks while contributing economically to EU and Schengen countries.

Thailand is currently one of seven countries granted access to the “Visa Cascade” regime, joining India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman in 2024, and Turkey and Indonesia in 2025. Thailand is the second ASEAN country to benefit from the arrangement.

The ministry said the scheme reflects growing EU confidence in Thailand and marks another milestone in Thailand-EU relations, particularly following the provisional application of the Thailand-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in October 2024.

It added that the government will continue pursuing its long-term goal of securing Schengen visa exemption for Thai nationals to promote travel, trade, investment, education and skilled labour mobility.