The European Union is preparing a new Schengen visa model that could give some Turkish citizens visas valid for 2 years, and later up to 5 years, in an effort to ease long application queues and reduce pressure on consulates.
The plan is aimed at frequent travellers from Türkiye who have a regular travel history and have previously followed visa rules. Officials expect the system to cut repeated applications before each trip and make travel for business, study and trade easier.
Technical work on the proposal is expected to start this week, with the model intended as a temporary solution until visa-free travel between Türkiye and the European Union becomes possible.
The new approach would focus on applicants considered “trusted people” under criteria that are still being defined. Early assessments suggest the scheme could cover executives and partners of listed companies, businesspeople registered with chambers of industry, and researchers, experts and students carrying out academic work in Europe.
Under the plan, eligible applicants would first receive a 2-year Schengen visa. If their visa record remains clean, later applications could lead to a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 5 years.
The aim is to stop regular travellers from having to apply again before every journey, something officials say currently causes time loss for applicants and adds to the workload at consulates. The expected result is fewer annual visa applications and shorter processing pressure for missions handling Schengen requests.
The system is being developed against a backdrop of long-standing frustration among Turkish travellers over Schengen visa procedures. Business groups, students and researchers have often complained about delays, repeated document requests and uncertainty over approval times.
By targeting people with a proven travel record, the EU hopes to distinguish lower-risk applicants from first-time or less frequent travellers. The approach would also mark a shift towards more flexible visa handling for those who regularly move between Türkiye and Europe.
The proposal is still at an early stage and no implementation date has been announced. Officials have said the measure would remain in place only until wider visa liberalisation is achieved.
If adopted, the plan could have the biggest impact on people who travel to Europe for meetings, conferences, academic projects and commercial visits. It would also signal a practical attempt to reduce congestion in a visa system that has struggled with high demand for years.
While the criteria for eligibility are yet to be finalised, the move suggests the EU is considering a more tailored visa system for Turkish nationals. For many frequent travellers, that could mean fewer applications, longer validity and a simpler path to entering the Schengen area.
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